Social Security payment schedule: October 2026 benefit dates released

Most people who receive Social Security retirement benefits will receive their October 2026 payments as usual, with checks and direct deposits distributed according to the Social Security Administration's standard schedule. Here's more on payments, including the October payment for Supplemental Secu

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What is the story about?

Most people who receive Social Security retirement benefits will receive their October 2026 payments as usual, with checks and direct deposits distributed according to the Social Security Administration's standard schedule.

Here's more on payments, including the October payment for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients, which will see two payments within the month of October. While SSI and Social Security are separate programs, about half of SSI recipients also receive Social Security, which is why the distinction matters.

Social Security payment dates for October 2026

The Social Security Administration has published its 2026 benefit payment schedule.

If you receive regular Social Security benefits, your October payment will arrive on one of the following dates, depending on your birthdate

and when you began receiving benefits:

Thursday, Oct. 1: People who began receiving benefits before May 1997
Wednesday, Oct. 14: Birthdates from the 1st through the 10th
Wednesday, Oct. 21: Birthdates from the 11th through the 20th
Wednesday, Oct. 28: Birthdates from the 21st through the 31st

What is SSI?

Supplemental Security Income provides monthly payments to people who are:

Age 65 or older
Blind
Living with a qualifying disability and who meet strict income and asset requirements

SSI is a separate program from Social Security retirement benefits and is funded differently. Some people receive both types of benefits.

Will I receive a SSI payment in October2026?

SSI recipients will see two payments in October- on the first day of the month and the last weekday of the month.

The October SSI payment will be deposited on its regularly scheduled day - Thursday, Oct. 1. However, the first day of November lands on a Sunday this year. As a result the November payment will be deposited on Friday, Oct. 30.