Government Benefits Timing at Chime®: SSI, SSA, and VA Payments

Key takeaways

• Social Security (SSA) benefits are paid on the second, third, or fourth Wednesday of each month based on your birth date, while SSI and VA benefits are paid on the 1st.

• If your payment date falls on a weekend or federal holiday, you'll receive your benefits on the last business day before the scheduled date.

• The 2026 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) increased Social Security and SSI benefits by 2.8%, adding about $56 per month on average.

• When you set up direct deposit with Chime^®, you may be able get your government benefits up to two days early.¹

If you receive SSI, SSA, or VA payments, knowing exactly when your benefits arrive can help you plan bills and budget with confidence. Payment dates vary depending on your benefit type, your birth date, and whether your scheduled date falls on a weekend or holiday.

Below, you'll find the full 2026 payment schedule for Social Security, SSI, and VA benefits, plus how you can access your payments up to two days early¹ with direct deposit at Chime.

When are SSI, SSA, and VA benefits paid?

Government benefits in the United States follow set payment schedules managed by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Social Security retirement and disability payments are deposited on a specific Wednesday each month based on your birth date.² Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and VA disability benefits are both paid on the 1st of each month, with payments arriving on the preceding business day when that date falls on a weekend or federal holiday.

Who are these benefits for?

• SSA payments go to retirees and people with qualifying work history.

• SSI payments support individuals with limited income who are blind, 65 or older, or have a disability.

• VA benefits provide tax-free monthly payments to veterans with service-connected conditions.

Social Security (SSA) payment schedule

Your SSA payment date depends on when you first started receiving benefits and your birth date.

If you started receiving SSA payments before May 1, 1997, your benefit arrives on the 1st of every month. If the 1st falls on a weekend or holiday, you'll get paid on the first business day of the month.

If you made your first SSA claim after May 1, 1997, your payment falls on either the second, third, or fourth Wednesday of the month based on your day of birth:

If the Wednesday of your payment falls on a federal holiday, you'll receive your payment on the first preceding day that isn't a holiday or weekend.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payment dates

SSI payments follow a simpler schedule than SSA benefits. Everyone receives their SSI payment on the 1st of the month, regardless of birth date.

If the 1st falls on a weekend or bank holiday, you'll get your payment on the last business day of the previous month.

VA disability benefits payment dates

VA disability benefits are paid on the 1st of each month², just like SSI. If the 1st falls on a weekend or holiday, your payment arrives on the last business day of the preceding month.

2026 government benefits payment calendar

Here are the scheduled payment dates for SSA, SSI, and VA benefits through 2026. Use this calendar to plan ahead and know exactly when to expect your deposit.

Full 2026 SSA, SSI, and VA payment dates

The table below shows all 2026 payment dates by benefit type. SSA dates vary based on your birth date group.²

*Dates indicate adjusted payment dates when the scheduled date falls on a weekend or federal holiday.

The calendars below show Chime's estimated early deposit dates alongside standard payment dates for each benefit type:

July 2026

August 2026

September 2026

October 2026

How to get your government benefits up to two days early

Some financial institutions can make your government benefits available before the scheduled payment date. When you set up direct deposit with Chime, you can automatically get your government benefits up to two days early.¹

Early direct deposit works because Chime can make your funds available as soon as the payment file is received from the government, rather than waiting for the official payment date–and this applies to SSA, SSI, and VA benefit payments.

Here's how to set up direct deposit through Chime.

2026 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for Social Security and SSI

Each year, the Social Security Administration evaluates whether benefits need to increase to keep up with inflation. For 2026, Social Security and SSI recipients received a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).³

Here's what the 2026 COLA means for your benefits:

• Average monthly increase: About $56 more per month for the typical retired worker⁴

• Maximum SSI payment (individual): $994 per month in 2026³

• Maximum SSI payment (couple): $1,491 per month in 2026³

Your exact increase depends on your current benefit amount. The COLA is applied automatically – you don't need to take any action to receive the adjusted payment.

What can affect the timing of your benefits payment?

While the timing of your government benefits is generally predictable, a couple of factors can impact when payments land in your account.

Government payment delays

SSA, SSI, and VA payments may rarely be delayed by processing or clearing issues, though this isn't common. If you don't see your benefit payment by the scheduled date, wait three business days before contacting Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or the VA.

Weekends and holidays

If your scheduled payment date falls on a weekend or federal holiday, you'll typically receive your benefits on the last business day before the holiday. Check out the federal and banking holiday schedule to track dates that may affect your benefits timing.

Stay on top of your benefits with Chime

Keeping track of your government benefits payment schedule can help you budget and avoid surprises. With direct deposit through Chime, you can access your SSA, SSI, or VA payments up to two days early,¹ giving you more flexibility to handle bills and everyday expenses on your schedule.