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

Knowing exactly when you'll receive your Social Security benefits each month is an important part of your monthly budget planning. For the most part, both Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments arrive on the same day every month.

But calendar changes and hiccups like weekends and holidays can change exactly when your benefit check hits your bank account. For SSI recipients in particular, October 2025 is one such month.

Keep reading to learn more about when your Social Security and SSI checks will arrive this month, plus helpful tips explaining what to do if your benefits check doesn't arrive at all.

While most Social Security and SSI payments arrive on a fixed date each month, the Social Security Administration (SSA) only processes payments on regular weekdays. As a result, the payment schedule can change if the typical payment date falls on a weekend or a federal holiday.

When this happens, you should receive the payment earlier than usual, not later — the SSA will pay you on the earliest weekday before the holiday or weekend.

SSI benefits are paid to elderly, disabled, and/or impoverished individuals with extremely limited resources. Many SSI beneficiaries receive both Social Security and SSI payments, the latter of which are typically made on the first of the month.

Technically, all October payments are scheduled to arrive as normal. But this year, because Nov. 1 falls on a Saturday, SSI recipients will be paid for November on the earliest weekday before the weekend, which is Friday, Oct. 31.

This means you'll receive two SSI payments in October 2025: one on Wednesday, Oct. 1, for the month of October, and the other on the last day of the month for the month of November.

SSI payments are the only ones impacted by Nov. 1 falling on a weekend. All other October payments will arrive as usual according to the following schedule:

• The first SSI payment of the month will be deposited on Wednesday, Oct. 1.
• Individuals who receive both SSI and Social Security benefits will get their Social Security checks on Friday, Oct. 3.
• Social Security beneficiaries born between the first and 10th days of their birth month will be paid on Wednesday, Oct. 8.
• Social Security beneficiaries born between the 11th and 20th days of their birth month will be paid on Wednesday, Oct. 15.
• Social Security beneficiaries born between the 21st and 31st of their birth month will be paid on Wednesday, Oct. 22.
• As discussed above, SSI beneficiaries will get their second payment of the month — which is actually their November payment made early — on Friday, Oct. 31.

If your benefits check fails to arrive on time, it can throw a major wrench into your financial planning. But stay calm and follow the steps below to resolve the issue instead of panicking.

Before you do anything else, double-check the SSA's benefits payment schedule to make sure your payment hasn't fallen on a weekend or holiday.

Next, get in touch with your bank to find out if they're still processing your typical payment. It's worth remembering that banks may be closed for state holidays that don't impact the federal government. Even if your payment was issued on time, it's possible your bank won't process it until after a regional holiday closure.

If you've switched banks recently, you'll need to manually update your direct deposit information on your my Social Security account so the SSA can process the payment correctly.

If you've moved addresses without updating your online SSA account, the SSA may not be able to pay you until they've confirmed your new address. Log in to your account and make sure your current address is on file.

Still not sure why your payment hasn't arrived? The SSA asks you to wait three full business days before getting in touch to make sure the payment really hasn't been processed. After that, you can get in touch with the SSA over the phone at 1-800-772-1213 or by finding your local Social Security branch and contacting them directly.

If you receive Social Security each month, it's important to be aware of other things that could affect your payments. Of note, if Congress doesn't approve a federal budget by Oct. 1, the federal government might be shut down until politicians come to a compromise.

If this happens, though government services that rely on discretionary spending may be impacted, you don't need to worry about your Social Security payment. Neither Social Security nor Medicare will be disrupted by a potential shutdown.

How does your check compare to others? In August 2025, the federal government reported that the average monthly benefit payment for all beneficiaries was $1,864.87.

Wondering how you can make your Social Security check last longer regardless of when it arrives? We recommend starting with these suggestions:

• Think about picking up a side gig so your Social Security check doesn't have to do so much heavy lifting.
• Consider downsizing sooner rather than later to lower your housing costs, including the costs of heating and cooling a larger home.
• If moving isn't an option, think seriously about renting out a room or converting your basement to a separate suite to earn some extra money each month.

Paying close attention to the federal government's benefits payment calendar is one key way to maximize your senior benefits.

But if you struggle to make ends meet when your payment arrives late, now could be a good time to meet with a financial advisor. They can examine your personal situation, answer any of your questions, and help you chart a path to financial security in retirement.