Social Security paid out on Wednesday, May 13: who gets benefits?

Throughout the United States, certain Social Security beneficiaries are due to receive their latest monthly payment this week, as the Social Security Administration (SSA) kicks off May 2026’s three-Wednesdays payment cycle.

Who’s getting Social Security benefits on Wednesday, May 13?

The SSA is to issue Social Security benefits to recipients born on the first to the 10th of any month. (Important: If you claim benefits based on someone else’s work record, the agency uses the other person’s birthday.)

Of the 71.1 million Americans who get Social Security – whether retirement, disability or survivor benefits – most are paid on the second, third or fourth Wednesday in each month. A recipient’s allocated Wednesday depends on the date of birth of the worker who has accrued the entitlement.

In May 2026, this payment timeline is:

Born on 1st-10th of any month: Wednesday, May 13
Born on 11th-20th of any month: Wednesday, May 20
Born on 21st-31st of any month: Wednesday, May 27

As May began on a Friday, this month’s three-Wednesdays cycle is triggered at the second-latest point possible. The Social Security schedule for 2026 only witnesses longer waits for benefits in January and October.

How much do Social Security beneficiaries get per month?

Retired workers: $2,081.16
Disabled workers: $1,634.70
Survivor benefits: $1,625.56

(Average benefit, according to SSA figures.)

Who isn’t paid Social Security on the second, third or fourth Wednesday?

Some long-term recipients: May 1

Individuals who signed up before May 1997 are normally paid Social Security on the third of each month. As May 3 was a Sunday, however, they were issued this month’s benefits on the nearest business day before then: Friday, May 1.

Dual recipients (Social Security + SSI): May 1

Social Security can be combined with Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a separate program for certain low-income Americans. These twin beneficiaries typically get Social Security on the third, with SSI distributed on the first.

But because May 3 was a weekend day, these recipients were paid both benefits on Friday 1.

How does Social Security make benefits payments?

Social Security beneficiaries can update their bank details on the SSA’s online my Social Security tool.

Benefits can be loaded onto the Direct Express Card, a debit card for federal payments. Sign up at 1-800-333-1795 or 1-800-772-1213, or at a Social Security office.

Social Security paid out on Wednesday, May 13: who gets benefits?

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