X
Why You Can Trust CNET Money

The editorial content on this page is based solely on objective, independent assessments by our writers and is not influenced by advertising or partnerships. It has not been provided or commissioned by any third party. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products or services offered by our partners. Review CNET's ethics statement.

  • Money

Social Security August 2025: The Next Round of Payments Is Coming Soon

The next round of August's Social Security payments will be sent to recipients in just a few days. Here's when and the payment schedule for the month.

Headshot of Blake Stimac
Headshot of Blake Stimac
Blake Stimac Writer
Blake has over a decade of experience writing for the web, with a focus on mobile phones, where he covered the smartphone boom of the 2010s and the broader tech scene. When he's not in front of a keyboard, you'll most likely find him playing video games, watching horror flicks, or hunting down a good churro.
Blake Stimac
3 min read
A pile of cash on a yellow and blue background

August's Social Security payments are on the way. Here's the full payment schedule for the month. 

CNET

It's been over a week since the first round of Social Security payments this month, and the second round will be arriving to recipients within the next few days. If you're unsure when you're supposed to get your payment this month, we have you covered. 

Social Security benefits are sent monthly to people who've applied for their retirement, survivor or disability benefits. The payments are sent in waves throughout the month. When you receive your Social Security check is determined by how long you've been receiving benefits, whether you receive additional government benefits or the day of the month you were born. Not sure when you should be receiving your payment? We break it down below.

CNET Money Tips badge art

Read on to find out how your payment date is determined, when you should receive your check, and the full payment schedule for the month of August. For more, don't miss why paper Social Security checks will stop being sent soon. 

This is when you'll receive your Social Security check

Want to know which day of the month you'll receive your check? This is the Social Security and SSDI payment schedule for August.

Social Security payment schedule for August 2025

If you have received Social Security since before May 1997 Aug. 1
If your birthday falls between the 1st and 10th of any given month Aug. 13
If your birthday falls between the 11th and 20th of any given month Aug. 20
If your birthday falls between the 21st and 31st of any given month Aug. 27

How to determine your Social Security payment date

Social Security payments are typically paid out starting on the second Wednesday of the month. The remaining two payments will be paid out on the following two Wednesdays of the month. Which week you receive your payment depends on your birthdate. There is one big exception, which we'll cover below.

Birthdate betweenSocial Security check date
1st and 10th 2nd Wednesday of the month
11th and 20th 3rd Wednesday of the month
21st and 31st 4th Wednesday of the month

Other federal benefits will not be sent the same day

If you've received Social Security benefits since before May 1997 or receive Social Security and Supplemental Security Income, your payment schedule isn't determined by your birthdate. Instead, payments are paid out every month on the same date with a couple of exceptions. Social Security payments will be sent out on the third day of each month, while SSI payments are sent out on the first of each month.

These dates will sometimes change if the first or the third of the month falls on a weekend or holiday. For example, March 3 of last year fell on a weekend, so Social Security recipients received their March payments two days early, on March 1. The only benefits that are paid on the same schedule are Social Security and Social Security Disability Insurance.

Paper Social Security checks are going away

An executive order from the White House will end the use of paper Social Security checks on Sept. 30. This means all payments after that date will be sent digitally, including direct deposits, debit and credit cards, digital wallets and other real-time payment systems to reduce the overall cost of sending physical checks to beneficiaries.

The decision is not surprising when you consider that only 485,766 Social Security checks are mailed each month, which pales in comparison to the 68,104,184 direct deposit payments made each month. While this will undoubtedly be an adjustment period for those people who have been receiving physical checks, moving mailed benefits payments to digital forms will increase security. It's important to note that some exclusions will be made for certain individuals. 

A missing Social Security check? Try these steps

If your check fails to arrive when it's supposed to or not at all, the Social Security Administration suggests waiting three additional mailing days before contacting it. After that, you can call the national toll-free number: 1-800-772-1213. The SSA notes that "wait times to speak to a representative are typically shorter in the morning, later in the week and later in the month." If you're having trouble reaching the SSA through the national number, you can use its office locator to find a local office.

For more, see how to apply for Social Security benefits for eligible children and how to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance.