March’s Social Security Payments Won't Arrive as Usual - Here's Why

Getting your Social Security benefits on time every month is crucial to maintaining a strict retirement budget. For the most part, benefits arrive on the same day of the month, every month, but that consistency makes the occasional calendar changes all the more confusing and tricky to plan for.

This March, for instance, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients will be getting their March SSI payment not in March at all but on the last weekday in February.

Below, we'll explain why some SSI payments are different this month, then provide an overview of when all other SSI and Social Security benefits are scheduled to arrive so you can start planning your March budget.

Social Security and SSI payment dates vary some months

While the Social Security Administration (SSA) tries to pay beneficiaries on the same day every month, it doesn't make payments on weekends or on federal holidays. Fortunately, the SSA doesn't wait to pay you until after the weekend or holiday. Instead, it bumps up your payment date to the earliest weekday before the holiday or weekend.

While this means you should get paid early rather than late, the change can still throw a wrench in your budget planning for the month. It's important to stay on top of crucial Social Security payment dates throughout the calendar year.

SSI payments for March will be different for some

SSI benefits are paid to the elderly, blind, or disabled Americans who have extremely limited resources. Typically, SSI payments are made on the first day of every month, but March 1 falls on a Sunday this year. As a result, SSI beneficiaries will see payments on Friday, Feb. 27 instead.

When the rest of March's payments arrive

There aren't any federal holidays in March, so apart from SSI benefits, all other SSA payments will be made on the same schedule as always. This means that if you receive both SSI and Social Security payments, or if you started taking Social Security benefits prior to May 1997, your Social Security payment arrives on Tuesday, March 3.

If you receive Social Security only and started receiving benefits after May 1997, your benefits will arrive on the following schedule:

• If you were born between the first and 10th day of your birth month, you'll be paid on Wednesday, March 11.
• If you were born between the 11th and 20th day of your birth month, you'll be paid on Wednesday, March 18.
• If you were born between the 21st and 31st day of your birth month, you'll be paid on Wednesday, March 25.

What to do if your payment doesn't arrive

Didn't receive your payment as scheduled? Follow these tips to track down your benefits.

Check the holiday/weekend schedule

First, revisit the SSA's posted Social Security benefit payments calendar to make sure you didn't miss a holiday or weekend.

Check with your bank

Next, contact your bank to ask if the deposit was initiated by the SSA and simply hasn't been deposited yet. Bear in mind that the bank may close on state holidays, which could impact processing times.

Make sure your direct deposit information is updated

Log on to your my Social Security account online and verify that your bank account and routing numbers are up to date. If the SSA does not have the correct banking information, you may experience delays.

Verify any other information is correct in your online Social Security account

Scan the other crucial pieces of information on your my Social Security account and update your name, phone number, and address as necessary. Incorrect information can lead to delays.

Contact the SSA

Have you followed all these steps and still can't figure out what went wrong? It's time to contact the SSA. You can call 1-800-772-1213 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. your time (on weekdays and non-holidays only), but bear in mind that the SSA asks that you wait three mailing days to get in touch about a missed payment.

How much is the average monthly Social Security payment?

Per the most recent data published by the SSA, the average monthly retirement benefit for January 2026 was $2,071.

How to maximize your Social Security benefits

Wondering how to make your Social Security and/or SSI benefit last as long as possible? We have a few easy tips:

• Research grocery stores in your area and compare prices to make sure you're really getting the best deals.
• Do the same thing with gas stations, bearing in mind that the gas station you swing by out of habit might not be the cheapest one.
• If you're buying bulk goods for a large household, think about investing in a warehouse membership card. Or, if your household has diminished recently, think about canceling your membership and shopping at a more typical grocery store.

Bottom line

Making the most of your SSI and Social Security benefits is one of the top ways you can avoid wasting your retirement savings. Staying on top of calendar deadlines, following up with the SSA as necessary, and trimming excess spending from your budget are all ideal steps toward ensuring you can enjoy retirement without worrying about cash flow.

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