On Wednesday, November 26, 2025, beneficiaries of retirement benefits, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), or survivor payments from the Social Security Administration (SSA) will receive their check for the month of November. This date is determined by each beneficiary’s date of birth, except for those receiving benefits since May 1927, who receive it on the third day of each month.
Payment for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), as well as for dual beneficiaries (SSI + regular Social Security), is not adjusted according to the birthdate schedule. Benefit amounts will increase by 2.8% for 2026 following the approval of the new COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment), and payments will continue to be made in the same way: via Express debit cards or direct deposits.
Social Security Administration Payments in November
On Wednesday, November 26, 2025, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will make the payment for the month of November to beneficiaries of retirement, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), and survivors’ benefits. This payment date is determined by the beneficiaries’ birth dates: all those who have birthdays between the 21st and 31st of each month. Under this rule, the payment schedule for November 2025 is:
- Birth date: 1-10 of the month, November 12.
- Birth date: 11-20 of the month, November 19.
- Birth date: 21-31 of the month, November 26.
Not everyone has to wait
This payment schedule based on the beneficiary’s birth date does not affect all Social Security benefits. There are exceptions, such as those who are receiving retirement, SSDI, or survivor benefits and applied for their benefits before May 1997. In that case, they receive their check on the third day of each month.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Recipients
More than 7 million Americans rely on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to make ends meet. This program is designed for low-income individuals over 65 years old or those with a disability. Payments under this program are made on the first day of each month, unless it falls on a federal holiday or weekend.
Dual beneficiaries (SSI + regular Social Security)
Around 2.5 million people in the U.S. receive both: SSI as one of the SSA retirement, SSDI, or survivor benefits. Like SSI, these payments are made on the first day of each month.
Amount of Social Security benefits
Starting in January 2026, a 2.8% increase will be reflected in the monthly checks of Social Security beneficiaries due to the COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) increase. However, payments during the year 2025 included the following amounts:
- Retirement. They receive an average of $2,008.31 per month, with the maximum monthly check in 2025 being $5,108.
- Disabled workers. Average of $1,582.95.
- Survivors. Average monthly payments of $1,575.36.
- SSI beneficiaries. Average of $717.84 per month.
Social Security Payments
Since September 30, 2025, most Social Security payments are made electronically, with some exceptions that still require paper checks. Social Security offers two ways to receive payments:
Direct deposit
Beneficiaries can receive their money via direct deposit by providing the agency with their banking information. You can provide this information through the “my Social Security” online portal.
Express Debit Card
Beneficiaries can also receive their benefits on the Direct Express card, a special debit card for federal payments for people without a bank account.