Millions of people who depend on Social Security in the United States are facing a longer-than-usual wait to receive their August payment. If you're one of them, it's important to understand what's happening and why checks are being sent later this month.
Why are August checks delayed?
Normally, beneficiaries receive their payment on one of the three Wednesdays of the month: the second, third, or fourth Wednesday. This system depends on the birth date of the worker who caused the benefit.
But in August 2025, there's a detail that complicates the schedule: the month started on a Friday, so the first payment Wednesday will be August 13. That means, for many, the payment will arrive later than usual.
Here are the specific payment dates for August:
Wednesday, August 13: for those born between the 1st and the 10th of the month
Wednesday, August 20: for those born between the 11th and the 20th
Wednesday, August 27: for those born between the 21st and the 31st
In August, the month started on a Friday | Pexels, Freepik, Madrid-Barcelona
Who doesn't have to wait?
Some beneficiaries escape this long wait. For example, those who started collecting before May 1997 receive their payment on the third day of each month, regardless of their birthday.
In August, that payment was moved up to Friday the 2nd, because the 3rd fell on a Sunday. In addition, if you receive both Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you also received the money that same Friday.
Normally, SSI is paid on the first of each month and Social Security on the third. But this month, since the 3rd fell on a Sunday, both payments were moved up to the nearest business day.
Will these delays happen again in the future?
Not exactly. In November 2025, payments will begin on the 12th, a late date, but not as extreme as in August. The longest delay this year happened in May, when the second Wednesday fell on the 14th, the latest possible date.
In November 2025, payments will begin on the 12th | Pexels, en.madrid-barcelona.com
Meanwhile, in months like January and October, payments were early, arriving on the second Wednesday, which was the 8th.
What can you expect next month?
In September, payments will follow the normal schedule: second Wednesday the 10th, third the 17th, and fourth the 24th. This should help payments arrive on time and as expected.
If you want to check the exact dates for the whole year, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has an official calendar on its website.
