Millions of Social Security beneficiaries will receive their May 2026 payment on Wednesday, May 13. This payment is part of the Social Security Administration’s regular monthly schedule, which sends benefits on different Wednesdays depending on the beneficiary’s birth date.
For many retirees, disabled workers and survivor beneficiaries, Social Security is a major source of monthly income.
Knowing the exact payment date can help households plan bills, groceries, rent, medical costs and other essential expenses.
Who Will Receive Social Security on May 13?
The May 13 payment is for beneficiaries whose birth date falls between the 1st and 10th of any month.
Under the SSA payment calendar, people born from the 1st to the 10th are paid on the second Wednesday, those born from the 11th to the 20th are paid on the third Wednesday, and those born from the 21st to the 31st are paid on the fourth Wednesday.
For May 2026, the payment schedule is:
| Birth Date | Payment Date |
|---|---|
| 1st to 10th | Wednesday, May 13 |
| 11th to 20th | Wednesday, May 20 |
| 21st to 31st | Wednesday, May 27 |
If you receive benefits based on another person’s work record, such as spousal or survivor benefits, the payment date is generally based on that worker’s birth date.
Who Is Not Paid on May 13?
Not every Social Security recipient follows the Wednesday payment cycle. Some beneficiaries received their May payment earlier.
People who started receiving Social Security before May 1997 are usually paid on the 3rd of each month. Those who receive both Social Security and Supplemental Security Income are also handled differently, with Social Security normally paid on the 3rd and SSI on the 1st.
In May 2026, those groups received payment on Friday, May 1, because of how the calendar falls. SSI payments are normally issued on the first day of the month, unless the date falls on a weekend or federal holiday.
How Much Do Beneficiaries Receive?
The amount a person receives depends on their work history, benefit type, age at claiming and other factors. Average benefits are different for retired workers, disabled workers, spouses and survivors.
Retired workers typically receive the highest average monthly benefit among the main groups. Disabled workers and survivor beneficiaries receive different average amounts based on eligibility rules and earnings records. However, each person’s check may be higher or lower than the average.
Beneficiaries can check their exact payment amount by logging into their my Social Security account or reviewing notices from the SSA.
How Are Social Security Payments Sent?
Most Social Security payments are sent electronically. Beneficiaries commonly receive money through direct deposit into a bank or credit union account. This is usually the fastest and safest option.
Another option is the Direct Express debit card, which allows federal benefit payments to be loaded onto a prepaid card. This can help beneficiaries who do not use a traditional bank account.
What If Your Payment Does Not Arrive?
The SSA advises beneficiaries to allow three additional mailing days before contacting Social Security if a payment does not arrive on the expected date.
Before calling the SSA, beneficiaries should also check with their bank or payment provider to confirm whether there is a processing delay. In many cases, payments arrive later in the day or are delayed by the financial institution.
The next Social Security payment on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, is for beneficiaries born from the 1st through the 10th of any month. Other May payments will be sent on May 20 and May 27, depending on birth date.
Some recipients, including those who started benefits before May 1997 or receive both Social Security and SSI, were paid earlier on May 1.
Understanding the payment schedule helps beneficiaries plan monthly expenses and avoid confusion about when their money will arrive.