Social Security payments distributed to millions of Americans in October

The Social Security Administration sent monthly payments to millions of Americans in October 2026. The payment date depends on when a beneficiary was born. People born between the 1st and 10th received money on the second Wednesday of the month. Those born between the 11th and 20th were paid on the third Wednesday. People born between the 21st and 31st had to wait until the fourth Wednesday. However, some people get paid on the 3rd of every month. This includes anyone who started receiving benefits before May 1997. The maximum payment is $5,181 per month, but most people receive less. If a payment does not arrive, the SSA asks recipients to wait three extra days before calling.