July Social Security Payments Will Come Later Than Usual: Here’s When They'll Arrive

As a retiree, you likely rely on your monthly Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits to stretch your retirement dollars further. This means unexpected changes in the typical benefit payments schedule can throw off your budget in a big way. And if you receive SSI benefits, you got your June payment on May 30 this year, meaning you went the entire month of June without an SSI payment.

As a result, July Social Security payments are set to come later than in June based on how the calendar falls. Keep reading to learn more about when you should plan on receiving your SSI, Social Security, or combined benefits this July.

For the most part, the government makes Social Security and SSI payments on a strict schedule.

For instance, Social Security payments, or retirement benefits paid to workers and their qualified beneficiaries, are made based on the date of your birth. Depending on the day you were born, you'll get your Social Security check on the second, third, or fourth Wednesday of every month.

In contrast, SSI benefits are paid on the first day of each month. If you receive both SSI and Social Security benefits, you'll get your SSI benefit on the first of the month and your Social Security benefit on the third of the month (regardless of your date of birth). If you started receiving Social Security benefits prior to May 1997, you'll receive those benefits on the third of each month.

This payment schedule doesn't change — unless the day you're supposed to receive your benefit falls on a weekend or federal holiday. When that happens, you'll be paid on the earliest non-holiday weekday prior to your typical payment date in order to ensure there are no delays to your payments.

In June 2025, the first day of the month fell on a Sunday (when federal offices are closed for the weekend). The earliest non-holiday weekday prior to June 1 was Friday, May 30, which is when all SSI recipients received their June payment for the month.

This means that although you received your June payment, it was not issued in June. Instead, you received two payments in May, which likely makes the wait for your July check feel even longer.

Fortunately, July 1 falls on a Tuesday this year. While this means your July SSI payment will arrive later than it did last month, there's no need to worry. It's actually being paid out right on time.

If you receive Social Security benefits along with an SSI benefit, you receive your SSI payment on the first of the month and your Social Security payment on the third of the month. For July, this means you'll get your SSI check on Tuesday, July 1, and your Social Security check on Thursday, July 3.

Anyone who started receiving Social Security prior to May 1997 will also get their Social Security payment on the third of the month.

All other Social Security payments arrive based on the recipient's birth date.

• Those born between the 1st and 10th of the month: Wednesday, July 9
• Those born between the 11th and 20th of the month: Wednesday, July 16
• Those born between the 21st and 31st of the month: Wednesday, July 23

The Social Security Administration (SSA) asks you to wait three business days before contacting them directly about a late payment. In the meantime, check to make sure another issue isn't causing your delayed payment.

First, contact your bank directly to see if the delay is happening on their end. You should also log on to your "My Social Security" account to make sure your bank and personal information are up to date, especially if you've recently moved or switched financial institutions.

From there, you can call the SSA directly at 1-800-772-1213. Alternatively, find your nearest local SSA office on the SSA's website to get in-person help.

Once you're retired and living on a fixed income, staying on top of recurring payment dates is a must. When you know exactly when your benefit will be hitting your bank account, budgeting for the month becomes much easier.

Looking for tips on other smart money moves for seniors? You can stretch your Social Security benefits further by picking up a part-time job, downsizing to a smaller home, or relocating to an area with a lower cost of living. If you're not sure where to start, consider meeting with a retirement planner or financial professional who can help you make the most of your retirement.