Social Security benefit payment delayed to April - applied in November for February start date

yep thats how it works now. SSA is SUPER backed up with applications. took me 3 months longer than they first told me to get my first check. just how it is with the govt...nothing moves fast

There's actually a specific reason this happens. Social Security benefits are paid the month AFTER they're due. So February benefits would normally be paid in March. But for new claims, it often takes an extra month for processing. So your February benefits might come in April rather than March. The real question is whether you'll be receiving both February AND March benefits in that April payment, or if February is being skipped. I'd recommend checking your award letter when it arrives - it should specify your start date. If your benefits are supposed to start in February, you should eventually receive payment for that month (even if delayed).

this happened to me too!! i thought i was getting march payment but then it said april. freaked me out cause i NEED that money. turns out they were just behind on processing. i got paid for all months i was eligible for just got them later than expected. check your payment history page once payments start

Your best bet is to call SSA directly and ask about your specific situation. Good luck getting through though - I spent FIVE DAYS trying to reach them about my delayed payments. Kept getting disconnected or sitting on hold for hours only to have the call drop. So frustrating!!! I finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to an actual person at SSA. You can see how it works in their video: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU Once I actually got to talk to someone, they explained exactly what was happening with my delayed payment and I got everything straightened out. Worth it to get a clear answer instead of guessing.

I filed my application online in October and waited FOREVER too!!! Got so nervous I thought they lost my application. Eventually got my first payment 3 months after my requested start date with backpay included for all months I missed. The system is just craaaaazy slow right now. Try not to panic (I know that's easier said than done when it's YOUR money).

Let me clarify a few things about the Social Security payment schedule: 1. Benefits are paid in the month following the month for which they are due (February benefits arrive in March) 2. For new applications, the first payment often takes longer due to processing time 3. Your first payment should include all benefits due from your start month 4. The payment date depends on your birth date - payments are made on the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th Wednesday of the month Since your application requested a February start date, your first payment would normally arrive in March. The April payment date you're seeing suggests some additional processing time, but you should still receive all benefits you're entitled to from your start date. One important note: if you applied for benefits to begin in the same month you reach Full Retirement Age (FRA), there won't be any reduction in your benefit amount. However, if you're taking benefits before your FRA, make sure the start date is correct as it affects your reduction percentage.

anyone else notice how the SSA seems to be getting slower every year?? my parents got their benefits started way faster when they applied like 10 years ago

One more important thing to check - verify that the "February" start date is showing correctly in your MySocialSecurity account. Sometimes people select a month but the system records it differently based on the day of the month you apply and when you want benefits to begin. If your account shows a March start date (rather than February), that would explain the April payment since benefits are paid the following month. If there's truly an error with your start date, you'll want to contact SSA right away to get it corrected before payments begin. Much easier to fix beforehand than to request corrections after payments have started.