Are you receiving Social Security benefits each month? If you’re getting money from the Social Security Administration (SSA) each month, you need to know when Social Security payments are made each month so that you are able to budget that money. When Social Security payments are sent depends on what type of benefit you receive and other factors. This guide contains everything you need to know about receiving Social Security benefit payments in 2024.
The Social Security benefit payment schedule for 2024 can be confusing, but it’s important that you understand it. You must know when Social Security payments for March 2024 will arrive so that you can ensure you pay your bills on time and budget the rest, so it stretches throughout the entire month.
For April's payment dates, see our blog: Social Security Payment Schedule: Exact Payment Dates for April 2024
Overview of the Social Security Schedule 2024
The Social Security payment schedule for 2024 varies based on a few different factors. SSI payments are sent on a different schedule than other types of benefits. If you’re getting SSI then your SSI March 2024 payment will arrive on March 1, 2024.
If you are signed up for direct deposit of your SSI, or you have the SSA’s Direct Express® card, your benefit money should be available on Friday, March 1, 2024.
If you receive any other type of Social Security benefit besides SSI, your Social Security payment date for March 2024 depends on your date of birth. The Social Security Administration’s March 2024 benefit payment schedule is as follows:
- If your date of birth falls between the 1st and the 10th of your birth month, you will receive your money from the SSA on the second Wednesday of the month, March 13th.
- If your date of birth falls between the 11th and 20th of your birth month, you will receive your money from the SSA on the third Wednesday of the month, March 20th.
- If your date of birth falls between the 21st and the 31st of your birth month, you will receive your money from the SSA on the fourth Wednesday of the month, March 27th.
Remember, the March 2024 SSA benefit payment schedule is based on the date of birth of the primary benefit recipient. If you are receiving survivor’s benefits, benefits for a child, or benefits that are based on a benefit awarded to someone else the day that the benefits arrive are based on that person’s birth date.
Social Security Payment Dates for March 2024
If you’re wondering when is my March 2024 Social Security payment coming? Here’s a breakdown of all of the Social Security payment dates for March 2024:
March 1st: You’ll receive a Social Security payment for March 2024 on Friday, March 1st if you receive SSI from the SSA.
You’ll also receive a Social Security payment for March 2024 on Friday, March 1st if:
- You live outside of the United States
- You receive both Supplemental Security Income (SSI) as well as Social Security benefits.
- Your state pays for your Medicare premiums.
- You filed for Social Security benefits before 1997.
Normally Social Security payments for people who meet these criteria are sent on the 3rd of the month. But, because March 3rd is a Sunday, you will receive the payment on Friday, March 1st.
March 13th: If your date of birth falls between the 1st of the month and the 10th of the month you will receive your March 2024 Social Security payment on the second Wednesday in March which is Wednesday, March 13th.
March 20th: If your date of birth falls between the 11th and the 20th you will get your March 2024 Social Security payment on the third Wednesday in March which is Wednesday, March 20th.
March 27th: If your date of birth falls on or after the 21st of the month you will receive your March 2024 Social Security payment on the fourth Wednesday in March which is Wednesday, March 27th.
Social Security Payments 2024: How Much Money Will The SSA Send Out In March?
The amount of money that you specifically will receive from your Social Security payments in March 2024 depends on the type of Social Security benefit you are receiving. Social Security payment amounts for March 2024 are as follows:
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
If you are currently receiving SSDI payments from the SSA in March 2024, the maximum benefit amount you can receive each month is: $3,822
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
If you are currently receiving SSI from the SSA in March 2024, the maximum SSI benefit amount you can receive each month is:
- For an eligible individual: $943
- For an eligible couple: $1,415
- For an essential person: $472
Retirement Benefits
If you are currently receiving retirement benefit payments from the SSA, the maximum benefit amount you can receive in March 2024 is:
- Full retirement age benefit: $3,822
- Retired at age 62: $2,710
- Retired at age 70: $4,873
Survivor Benefits
If you are currently receiving survivor benefits from the SSA, the maximum benefit amount you can receive in March 2024 is:
- Individual survivor with no children: $1,773
- Survivor with 2 children: $3,653
These payment amounts account for 2024’s 3.2% COLA increase that went into effect on January 1, 2024. Keep in mind that these payment amounts are generalized and may not indicate the amount of money you specifically might receive. That being said, you can use our helpful Social Security Benefits Calculator to figure out your specific benefit amount (i.e., exactly how much money you’ll be getting for March 2024 Social Security benefit payments).
Key Factors Influencing March 2024 Payment Dates
Holidays and weekends can make a difference in when you receive March 2024 Social Security payments. People who normally receive SSI on the 2nd of the month will receive SSI on March 1st instead because March 2nd is a Saturday.
When a scheduled Social Security payment date falls on a holiday or a weekend the payment will be sent the business day before the usual date. Mailing delays and weather problems can sometimes cause delays in when you receive your Social Security payment, but those are rare.
Factors Affecting Early or Late Payments for March 2024
Even though there is a major holiday in March 2024, Easter, that will not affect Social Security March 2024 payments. The only payment that will be early or late in March 2024 is SSI for people who live outside of the U.S., receive both SSI and Social Security benefits, or filed for Social Security benefits before 1997. Those people will receive their March 2024 Social Security payment on Friday, March 1st instead of on the 2nd of the month.
How To Get Your March 2024 Social Security Payment Checks Faster
No one wants to wait for their Social Security benefit payment. If you want to get your Social Security benefit payment the fastest way possible you should sign up for either direct deposit or the SSA’s Direct Express® benefit card.
Direct deposit is available from the Social Security Administration. If you go into your account on the SSA’s website, you can fill out a form to have your benefit payment deposited directly in your checking or savings account at any bank or credit union. When your benefit is directly deposited it should be available immediately on the day that you are due to receive it, although your bank or credit union may have a hold period.
If you don’t have a checking or savings account or if you just want fast access to your Social Security benefit money you can sign up for the Direct Express® benefit card through your “my Social Security” account on the SSA’s website.
If you have the Direct Express® benefit card your benefit payment will be available to you first thing on the day that you are scheduled to receive your benefit. The Direct Express® card works like a credit or debit card. You can use the card to pay bills or withdraw money at an ATM.
How to Check Your Payment Date
Managing your Social Security payments is the best way to make sure that you don’t end up losing some of your benefit money to fees or other charges. Making that money stretch is a priority for most people who receive Social Security. One thing that you can do to avoid getting hit with fees and late charges is to make sure you know when your March 2024 Social Security benefit payment will arrive.
The best way to verify when you will get your Social Security benefit payment for March 2024 is to go into your account on the SSA’s website and check your payment date. Your account should have the date listed when you will receive your payment and the method of payment you have chosen.
Once you are sure of the date that your benefit payment will arrive you can budget that money and make plans to pay your bills on time so that you don’t get hit with fees or late charges.
When Can I Get My Social Security Payments for 2024 If I Haven’t Been Approved Yet?
If you are waiting for a Social Security payment in 2024 but your application hasn’t been approved yet you could be waiting for at least five more months. There is a five-month waiting period to start receiving benefits once your application for Social Security has been approved. Your benefits will start paying out the sixth month after your approval.
However, if you have been waiting more than five months for your application to be approved then you won’t need to wait an additional five months after your application is approved. The approval is retroactive. If you have been waiting more than five months for an approval once your application is approved, you will start receiving your Social Security benefit as soon as the approval is processed.
After approval, you will receive your Social Security benefit payment on the date determined by your birth date and the type of benefit that you are receiving. Back pay, or payment for the months that you were waiting for approval, is different.
Back pay is paid electronically as a lump sum payment. You should receive that payment either deposited to your bank account or deposited on your Direct Express® card within 60 days of approval.
Special Considerations
2024 is a Leap Year, which means that February had an extra day. Because of February’s extra day March 1 is a Friday, and March 2 is a Saturday. That means that everyone who normally receives their SSI payment on the 2nd of the month will receive their March 2024 SSI payment on Friday, March 1st.
Conclusion
March 2024 Social Security payments should be on time and on schedule. Even though 2024 is a Leap Year that shouldn’t cause any delays of Social Security benefit payments. There is only one major holiday in March 2024, Easter, and that won’t impact Social Security benefit payments.
The best way to get your Social Security benefit payment quickly is to have your payment electronically deposited into your bank account or to sign up for the Social Security Administration’s Direct Express® payment card. You can set up a direct deposit or get a Direct Express® card in your account on the SSA’s website.
It’s important to stay updated on 2024 Social Security benefit payment changes to make sure that you are able to budget and pay your bills on time. As such, be sure you come back to Disability Benefits Center to find the latest updates and information on all things Social Security benefits and monthly payment checks.
If you have applied for Social Security benefit payments but haven’t been approved yet, be sure to fill out our Free Case Evaluation form on this page right now to get connected and speak with a disability lawyer who specializes in Social Security claims and can help you today—all at zero cost to you. That's right, our Free Case Evaluation is always 100% free of charge for everyone. We offer our Free Case Evaluation to ensure that talking to a lawyer and getting answers to questions you may have about your Social Security claim is as accessible as possible for all people.
Additionally—and possibly even more important to mention, is that—disability lawyers don't get paid until they win you the disability benefits you need from the SSA. And, when disability benefits are awarded to applicants who work with a lawyer, the lawyer gets paid directly by the SSA—avoiding the hassle of paying out of pocket for a lawyer.
Additional Resources
Sources
- Schedule of Social Security Benefit Payments 2024 – United States Social Security Administration
