The Social Security Administration has confirmed the February 2026 payment schedule. Four official check dates fall in February, and the dates follow the regular Wednesday payment cycle for most retirement and disability beneficiaries.
Social Security February 2026 payment schedule: the four official dates
For February 2026 the confirmed Social Security payment dates are the four Wednesdays in the month. Mark these dates if you receive retirement or disability benefits that follow the weekday schedule.
- Wednesday, February 4, 2026
- Wednesday, February 11, 2026
- Wednesday, February 18, 2026
- Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Who gets paid on each February 2026 date?
Most Social Security retirement, survivor and disability beneficiaries are paid on a Wednesday schedule that divides recipients into three groups. This standard schedule determines which of the four Wednesdays you receive your payment.
- Born on the 1st through the 10th of the month: payment on the second Wednesday (February 11).
- Born on the 11th through the 20th: payment on the third Wednesday (February 18).
- Born on the 21st through the 31st: payment on the fourth Wednesday (February 25).
Note: These groupings apply to beneficiaries who were receiving Social Security benefits before May 1997. If you started benefits after that date, check your Social Security online account or your award letter for the exact payment rule that applies to you.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) timing for February 2026
SSI payments typically follow a different rule: they are paid on the first of each month. If the first falls on a weekend or federal holiday, the payment is usually issued on the last business day of the previous month.
Because February 1, 2026, is a Sunday, SSI recipients should expect their February payment to be processed on the prior business day. That means payments normally scheduled for February 1 will be made on Friday, January 30, 2026.
Key points about SSI and February timing
- SSI is normally paid on the first of the month.
- If the 1st is a weekend or holiday, payment moves to the last business day before the 1st.
- Check your bank deposit or your My Social Security account to confirm exactly when funds were posted.
How to confirm your own February 2026 payment day
Use these steps to confirm when your payment will arrive. Doing this ahead of time helps with budgeting and avoiding missed bills.
- Sign in to your My Social Security account at SSA.gov to see your payment history and next scheduled payment.
- Check your most recent award letter or benefit verification letter for the payment rule that applies to you.
- Call the Social Security Administration at the official number on SSA.gov if you need help or cannot access your online account.
What to do if your payment is late
If you expected a February 2026 payment on one of the confirmed dates and it didn’t arrive, follow these practical steps. Most delays are resolved quickly with a little information.
- Verify the official payment date in My Social Security or the award letter.
- Check your bank account to confirm deposit timing — some banks post funds later in the day.
- Contact SSA if 3 business days have passed since the expected date and you still see no deposit.
Common reasons for delayed payments
- Bank processing delays or holidays affecting posting times.
- Recent changes to direct deposit information or a new account setup.
- Administrative issues that require SSA review (rare).
If the 1st of a month falls on a weekend or federal holiday, SSI payments are typically issued on the last business day of the previous month. For February 2026 this moves SSI deposits to January 30, 2026.
Real-world example: How the February schedule affects beneficiaries
Case study: John, age 68, began receiving Social Security before 1997 and was born on the 12th of his birth month. He belongs to the 11–20 group and receives payments on the third Wednesday.
For February 2026 John’s benefit will be paid on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. His neighbor Maria, born on the 25th, gets her payment on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. An SSI recipient in their building will see SSI funds posted on Friday, January 30, 2026, because February 1 is a Sunday.
Checklist before February 2026 payment arrives
- Confirm your payment group in My Social Security or on your award letter.
- Verify your bank account and direct deposit details are current with SSA.
- Note the four confirmed Wednesdays (Feb 4, 11, 18, 25) and plan for the date that matches your birth-date group.
- If you receive SSI, expect the February payment on the last business day of January 2026.
Use the official SSA website or your My Social Security account for the most reliable information. If you need help interpreting your schedule or correcting account details, contact SSA directly well before your expected payment date.
