Social Security February 2026 Payment Schedule Confirmed

Social Security beneficiaries should know exactly when February 2026 payments will arrive. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a set schedule that places most retirement, survivors and disability insurance (RSDI) benefits on fixed monthly dates.

Social Security February 2026 payment schedule — 4 official check dates

For February 2026, there are four official payment dates you may see on your bank statement. Which date applies to you depends on when you were born or when you first started receiving benefits.

The four Social Security check dates for February 2026

• Feb 3, 2026: Legacy beneficiaries who began receiving benefits before May 1997 (paid on the 3rd of the month).
• Feb 11, 2026: RSDI beneficiaries born on the 1st–10th of any month (paid on the second Wednesday).
• Feb 18, 2026: RSDI beneficiaries born on the 11th–20th of any month (paid on the third Wednesday).
• Feb 25, 2026: RSDI beneficiaries born on the 21st–31st of any month (paid on the fourth Wednesday).

These dates cover the typical groups: legacy (pre-May 1997) recipients and those on the second/third/fourth Wednesday schedule introduced for many beneficiaries in 1997. If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), read the SSI note below because that program follows a slightly different rule.

How the Social Security February 2026 payment schedule works

The SSA splits regular RSDI payments into groups so not everyone is paid on the same day. The basic rules are:

• People who started benefits after May 1997 are paid on a Wednesday each month based on their birth date: 1–10 (second Wednesday), 11–20 (third Wednesday), 21–31 (fourth Wednesday).
• People who were already receiving benefits before May 1997 generally keep the older schedule and are paid on the third day of each month.
• If a scheduled payment date falls on a weekend or federal holiday, the SSA typically deposits funds on the preceding business day.

That is why February 2026 shows four different dates instead of just one: the older third-of-month schedule (Feb 3) and the three Wednesday slots (Feb 11, 18, 25).

What about Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?

SSI follows a different timetable. Most SSI payments are issued on the first of each month. If the first falls on a weekend or federal holiday the SSA usually makes the payment on the prior business day. For February 2026, because Feb 1 is a Sunday, many SSI recipients would receive their payment on the prior business day (end of January).

What to do if your Social Security payment is late or missing

Missing a payment can be stressful. Follow these steps before contacting SSA:

• Check your bank or credit union account statement for the exact deposit date and any small transaction reference from the SSA.
• Confirm your direct deposit details in your My Social Security account or on your bank statements.
• Look up the official SSA calendar for the current month to verify your scheduled payment date.
• If you still don’t see a payment, call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local Social Security office.

The SSA can provide a payment trace if necessary. If a check was mailed and lost, the agency has procedures to stop payment and issue a replacement.

Case study: How the February 2026 dates affect typical beneficiaries

Here is a short, realistic example to show how the four dates apply in practice.

• John was born on April 7 and began benefits in 2015. He receives retirement benefits on the second Wednesday, so he will be paid on Feb 11, 2026.
• Maria was born on June 15 and started benefits in 2020. She is on the third Wednesday schedule and will see her payment on Feb 18, 2026.
• Sam has received Social Security since 1995. He remains on the legacy schedule and will receive his payment on Feb 3, 2026.

These short examples show how birth date and when you first started benefits determine the February date you should expect.

Tips to prepare for your February 2026 Social Security payment

• Check your My Social Security account to confirm payment method and recent history.
• Enroll in direct deposit if you haven’t already—it’s faster and more secure than paper checks.
• Set calendar reminders for your expected date so you know when to expect funds and can spot a missing payment quickly.
• If you rely on SSI, remember that February’s first falls on a Sunday and the payment may arrive the business day before.

Knowing the official Social Security February 2026 payment schedule helps you plan bills and manage cash flow. If you are ever unsure, the SSA website and My Social Security account are the most reliable sources for your personal payment dates and history.