Atlanta, Georgia – Social Security recipients in some parts of the country will be receiving their February payments earlier than usual this month. The Social Security Administration announced that beneficiaries who receive both Social Security retirement benefits and Supplemental Security Income, as well as those who claimed Social Security prior to May 1997, will get their payments a day earlier than usual.
This change in the payment schedule is due to the upcoming 3.2% cost-of-living-adjustment for 2024, which is lower than last year’s 8.7% increase, but still above average due to lingering inflation. The average monthly payment for all beneficiaries was about $1,767 as of December 2023, and the expected increase for the average Social Security retirement benefit in 2024 is $50 a month.
For recipients wondering when they will receive their February Social Security payment, the distribution schedule is as follows: Supplemental Security Income payments will be distributed on the first of the month, while Social Security payments for recipients who started claiming benefits before May 1997, and those who receive both SSI and Social Security benefits, will go out on the second.
Payments for beneficiaries are determined by their birthday, with those born between the 1st and 10th receiving checks on Feb. 14, those born between the 11th and 20th receiving payments on Feb. 21, and those born between the 21st and 31st receiving checks on Feb. 28.
Beneficiaries who experience a delay in their Social Security check are encouraged to wait three business days before contacting the SSA to inquire about their payment. They can also view their payment status by creating or logging into their Social Security online account under “Benefits & Payments.”
It’s important for recipients to understand the 2024 payment schedule. Social Security payments are typically distributed on the second, third, and fourth Wednesday of a given month, depending on birth date, while SSI payments are usually sent on the first of the month. It’s important for beneficiaries to keep track of their payments and understand the nuances of the payment schedule to ensure there are no misunderstandings or delays.