With April 2026’s benefits schedule now underway, this is the Social Security Administration’s timeline for this month’s payments.
When are Social Security and SSI paid out in April? The complete payment schedule
Having so far sent out this month’s benefits to three groups of recipients, the U.S.’s Social Security Administration (SSA) is about to begin April’s three-Wednesdays payment cycle.
Here’s what you need to know about April’s distribution timeline, both for Social Security benefits - retirement, disability or survivor pay - and for Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Who has already been paid for April 2026?
- SSI beneficiaries
On Wednesday, April 1, Americans on SSI were the first group of benefits recipients to collect their April money.
A benefit for certain low-income individuals, SSI is separate from Social Security. Both schemes are administered by the SSA, but SSI differs as it is a solely needs-based benefit. Eligibility is not work record-dependent.
- Long-term Social Security beneficiaries: April 3
On Friday, April 3, the SSA was to issue Social Security to any Americans who began claiming before May 1997.
- Double beneficiaries: April 3
April 3 was also this month’s Social Security payment date for recipients who combine the benefit with SSI.
When does Social Security’s three-Wednesdays cycle kick in?
Most Social Security beneficiaries in the U.S. will be paid on the second, third or fourth Wednesday in April.
A beneficiary’s designated Wednesday depends on the birthday of the worker whose employment record has accumulated the entitlement:
- Born on 1st-10th of any month: Wednesday, April 8
- Born on 11th-20th of any month: Wednesday, April 15
- Born on 21st-31st of any month: Wednesday, April 22
How much is paid to Social Security and SSI recipients?
- Retired workers: $2,076.41/month
- Disabled workers: $1,633.76/month
- Survivors: $1,623.28/month
- SSI recipients: $735.91/month
(Average monthly payments, per SSA statistics.)
How does the Social Security Administration make payments?
- Benefits can paid into a recipient’s bank account by direct deposit
- Money can be loaded onto the Direct Express Card, a debit card for federal disbursements
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April's three-Wednesdays cycle set to kick off
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