Some Social Security benefit payments feel as if they may be coming late in May. That's because Wednesdays land later in the month than typical.

The first wave of Social Security payments for the month of October is set to be sent to recipients this week, with this month marking the first under the agency’s new paperless policy.

Starting in October, most recipients will need to have a direct deposit set up with your bank account or use a Direct Express card.

The change from paper checks to direct deposit comes after President Donald Trump signed an executive order in March ending the issuance of paper checks by the federal government, with the deadline for compliance being Sept. 30.

Here’s what you need to know about this week's Social Security payments.

Who gets their Social Security payment this week?

Beneficiaries who were born between the 1st and 10th day of their birth month are set to receive their monthly Social Security benefit on Wednesday, Oct. 8, according to the SSA's payment calendar.

When are Social Security payments sent?

Social Security benefits – paid mostly to recipients who are older or retired – are typically paid on Wednesdays.

If a recipient's birthdate is between the first and 10th of the month, they are usually issued payments on the second Wednesday of the payment month, according to the SSA's calendar. Recipients born between the 11th and 20th are paid on the third Wednesday, and those born after the 20th of the month get payments on the fourth Wednesday.

For those who received Social Security before May 1997, you can expect your payment on the third day of the month, unless it falls on a weekend or holiday.

Those who receive both Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) can expect their Social Security payment on the third day of the month and their SSI payment on the first day of the month.

Full 2025 Social Security payment calendar

SSI payment schedule for October, rest of 2025 and into 2026

Recipients of Supplemental Security Income checks were set to receive payments on the first business day of the month, which was on Oct. 1, 2025.

SSI checks will be sent out on the following dates in 2025 and early 2026, according to the SSA calendar:

  • Friday, Oct. 31, 2025 (Check for November 2025)
  • Monday, Dec. 1, 2025 (Check for December 2025)
  • Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025 (Check for January 2026)
  • Friday, Jan. 30, 2026 (Check for February 2026)
  • Friday, Feb. 27, 2026 (Check for March 2026)

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Here's who gets Social Security payments this week on Oct. 8

Reporting by Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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