If you are retired or disabled, or the spouse of a worker or deceased worker, you may be eligible for certain benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). Social security benefits are available for individuals that contributed to the Social Security system during their working years. Retirement and disability benefits are paid as a lump sum payment each month and it is always important to know when you can expect yours. The SSA sets the payment dates and to do it, they use your birthday and the type of benefits you are currently receiving. In this post, we’ll walk you through how SSDI and SSI payments are scheduled so you can know what to expect.
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Payment Schedule for SSI Disability Benefits
The SSA distributes SSI benefits on the first day of every month. When the first day of the month falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, benefits are paid on the previous banking day. For example, if the first day of the month falls on a Sunday, benefits are paid on the Friday before, provided that is also not a legal holiday. Anyone that has not received their benefits on the fourth day of the month or before should contact the SSA.
It can sometimes take awhile to be approved for SSI, and applicants often worry about how long it will take them to receive their payment. While this varies depending on the facts of your case, once approved, it usually takes between three to seven weeks to receive your first payment.
Payment Schedule for SSDI Disability
If you began receiving SSDI benefits until after 1997, your payment date will depend on your date of birth. SSDI is paid to individuals with a birthday on the first to the tenth of the month on the second Wednesday of every month. Individuals that have a birthday between the 11th and 20th of the month will receive their benefit payments on the third Wednesday of every month. Individuals that have a birthday between the 21st and the 31st of the month will receive their payment on the fourth Wednesday of each month.
The payment dates in 2021 for those that have a birthday between the first and tenth of the month are as follows:
- January 13
- February 10
- March 10
- April 14
- May 12
- June 9
- July 14
- August 11
- September 8
- October 13
- November 10
- December 8
The 2021 payment dates for individuals with a birthday between the 11th and 20th of the month are:
- January 20
- February 17
- March 17
- April 21
- May 19
- June 16
- July 21
- August 18
- September 15
- October 20
- November 17
- December 15
Lastly, the 2021 payment dates for individuals with a birthday that falls between the 21st and 31st are:
- January 27
- February 24
- March 24
- April 28
- May 26
- June 23
- July 28
- August 25
- September 22
- October 27
- November 24
- December 22
If you began receiving SSDI benefits prior to 1997, your benefits are paid on the third day of the month, regardless of your birthday. Like other payments, if the third day of the month falls on a weekend or legal holiday, you will receive the payment on the banking day just before the scheduled payment date. It is possible to change the date you receive your payments if you no longer want to receive them on the third day of the month. However, your scheduled payment date will fall on the calendar above, according to your date of birth, and you cannot choose another.
Combining SSI and SSDI
If you are receiving both SSI and SSDI, you can receive both types of benefits as one payment. You will receive this payment on the third day of the month, with the same exceptions for Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays. Like SSDI benefits, you can change the date of this combined payment, but your only other option is to follow the schedule according to your birthday.
How to Receive Social Security Payments
While applying to receive Social Security payments, you will need your bank account number and the routing number of your credit union or bank. This is because benefits are only paid electronically, so they are automatically deposited into your bank account. If you do not have a bank account that you want to use to receive benefits, you can also choose to use a prepaid debit card and the SSA will deposit your benefits onto the card.
Tax Considerations on Social Security Benefits
It is important to remember that depending on your income, you may have to pay taxes on your Social Security benefits. If you file individually and your income is between $25,000 and $34,000, up to 50 percent of your benefits may be considered taxable. If you make more than $34,000, up to 85 percent of your benefits may be considered taxable.
If you are married and file jointly, up to 50 percent of your benefits may be considered taxable if your combined income is between $32,000 and $44,000. Couples that file jointly and have an income more than $44,000 may have up to 85 percent of their benefits taxed.
It is crucial that you remember the tax implications when filing your tax return. To avoid a large bill at tax time, it may be possible to withhold your taxes from the payments for benefits.
Unfortunately, tax implications are just one factor you must consider when applying for, or receiving, SSI or SSDI benefits. When you need help obtaining the benefits you need, a disability lawyer in Illinois and Missouri can help.
Get Legal Help Today
If you need to apply for SSI or SSDI, or you need help navigating the complex application process, our disability attorneys in Illinois and Missouri are here to help. At the Law Office of Jerome Salmi Kopis, LLC, our seasoned attorneys know the challenges obtaining Social Security benefits bring and how to overcome them so you start receiving payments as soon as possible. Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation with one of our knowledgeable attorneys.
