First SS retirement payment timing after Sept online application - what to expect?

Your first payment should come around the second Wednesday in November (depending on your birth date). Social Security pays benefits the month AFTER they're due, so October benefits come in November. Payment dates are based on your birthday: 1st-10th get paid on 2nd Wednesday, 11th-20th on 3rd Wednesday, and 21st-31st on 4th Wednesday. If you don't hear anything in next 2 weeks, that's actually a good sign - means they have all they need. No news is good news with SSA applications!

Thank you for explaining! So even though I applied in September and chose October as my first month, I won't see anything until November? That helps me adjust my budget expectations. My birthday is on the 17th, so sounds like I'd be in that third Wednesday group. I'll try to be patient!

dont count on it being that fast tbh... i applied online last year and didnt hear ANYthing for 6 weeks, then suddenly got letter asking for marriage certificate. took another month after i sent it in. ssa is soooo slooooow rn

Oh no, that's concerning. Did you check your application status online during that time? Did it at least show something was happening?

If your application is straightforward (worked for US companies, never married/divorced, no dependents) then first commenter is right. But if you have any complications like foreign employment, multiple marriages, or disability overlap, expect delays. Mine took 10 weeks because I had worked in Canada for 3 years.

Good point. My situation is pretty straightforward - one employer for 30+ years, married once still together, no disability. Hopefully that means it'll go smoothly!

The most accurate answer is that your first payment should arrive in November. Since you selected a start date in September, your October payment (for September benefits) will be the first one you receive. As someone mentioned, your payment date depends on your birth date:- Born 1st-10th: Second Wednesday- Born 11th-20th: Third Wednesday- Born 21st-31st: Fourth WednesdayIf you're anxious about the status, trying to call the SSA can be incredibly frustrating. The wait times can be 2+ hours, and often you get disconnected. I recommend using Claimyr (claimyr.com) - they'll hold your place in line and call you when an agent is available. Saved me hours of frustration when I needed to check on my wife's application. There's a demo video at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU showing how it works.

Thank you for the payment schedule explanation! And I've never heard of Claimyr before - that sounds much better than sitting on hold for hours. I'll keep that in mind if I don't see any updates in the next couple weeks.

I HATE when they leave us hanging like this!!!! Applied in July and didn't get my first check until SEPTEMBER even though everything was supposedly \

While frustrating, that timeline actually sounds about right. Remember SS pays a month behind, so July application with August start date would naturally be paid in September. The system isn't broken - that's just how the payment schedule works.

Question - did u do direct deposit on ur application? if so u might get it faster. my neighbor got paper checks and they took way longer cuz of mail.

Yes, I did set up direct deposit on my application. Good to know that should help speed things up!

One important thing to understand is that the month you select as your \

Thank you for this detailed explanation! So if I understand correctly, since I applied on Sept 10th and selected October as my first month, I should expect my first payment (for October benefits) to arrive in November, specifically on the third Wednesday since my birthday is on the 17th. That makes sense now!

my aunt just got her 1st check last month and she said the online status never updated at all lol. just suddenly money appeared in her account one day. typical govt efficiency 🙄

This happened to my brother too! Online status stuck on

I went through this exact same process last year! Applied online in August for September benefits, and like you, heard absolutely nothing for weeks. The silence was nerve-wracking, but my first payment showed up right on schedule in October on the third Wednesday (my birthday is the 15th). The online portal never updated either - it just said "pending" until suddenly one day it switched to showing my payment history. Since your situation sounds straightforward and you already set up direct deposit, I'd expect your November payment to arrive without any drama. The SSA's communication is terrible, but their payment system is actually pretty reliable once everything is processed. Try not to stress too much - no news really is good news with them!

Just wanted to add that if you're really anxious about the status, you can also try visiting your local SSA office if there's one nearby. I know calling is a nightmare with the wait times, but sometimes the in-person folks can give you a quick status update without the phone hassle. I did this for my mom's application and they were able to confirm everything was processing normally even though the online portal hadn't updated. Just bring a photo ID and your confirmation number from when you applied. Worth considering if you need peace of mind before that November payment date!