Social Security in January 2026: January 2026 will feel a little tough for many Social Security recipients in the United States. Millions of people will have to wait longer than usual to receive their monthly benefits. This happens because January 2026 starts on a Thursday, which pushes all the Wednesdays of the month to very late dates.
This long wait will happen only one more time in 2026. According to the Social Security Administration October is the only other month when payments fall this late. In contrast April and July 2026 will have much earlier payment dates.
Social Security Check Coming December 24, 2025: Who Will Get Paid?
Some people will get Paid earlier
Not everyone will face this long wait. People who started receiving Social Security benefits before May 1997 will get their payment on January 2 2026. Normally they receive money on January 3 but since that date falls on a Saturday the payment moves to the nearest working day.
Around 70 million Americans receive Social Security retirement disability or survivor benefits. Most of them get paid on the second third or fourth Wednesday of every month. The exact payment day depends on the person’s date of birth. Because of the calendar layout in January 2026 these Wednesday payments will come much later than normal.
- Born between the 1st and the 10th: Second Wednesday of every month
- Born between the 11th and the 20th: Third Wednesday of every month
- Born between the 21st and the 31st: Fourth Wednesday of every month.
In January 2026, that translates to:
- Born between the 1st and the 10th: Jan. 14, 2026
- Born between the 11th and the 20th: Jan. 21, 2026
- Born between the 21st and the 31st: Jan. 28, 2026
People who also receive Supplemental Security Income will also get paid earlier. SSI supports low-income seniors and people with disabilities and does not depend on past work or taxes. Because January 1 is New Year’s Day SSI payments for January will be sent on December 31 2025. These same recipients will then get their Social Security payment on January 2 2026.
Walmart to Open Four New Stores in Florida in Early 2026: Here are the New Changes
This means these groups will receive their first 2026 payments almost two weeks before many other beneficiaries. Many of them will have already received their December 2025 Social Security payment on December 24 which helps bridge the gap.
Payments Increase by 2.8% in 2026
Along with the longer wait comes some good news. All Social Security and SSI recipients will see their benefits go up by 2.8% starting with January payments. This increase comes from the 2026 cost-of-living adjustment and applies to retirees disabled workers survivors spouses and SSI beneficiaries.
SSI recipients will see the higher amount in their December 31 payment. People paid on January 2 will also get the increased amount right away. Others will receive the 2.8% higher payment on their scheduled January Wednesday.
