Social Security said first check on 2/12/25 but nothing in my bank account - should I be worried?

Relax! Mine always shows up around 3am on payment day. The banks process these overnight. Check again tomorrow morning.

Social Security deposits can take up to 3 business days to appear in your account, even though they have a specific payment date. This is normal for first-time payments especially. The payment date on your award letter is when SSA releases the funds, not necessarily when they'll show in your bank. If you don't see it by Friday, then you should contact SSA to follow up. Also, double-check that you provided the correct direct deposit information during your application.

My first check was like 5 days late and I panicked for nothing!!! SSA doesnt really give u good info about delays. just wait a lil longer before u stress

The EXACT same thing happened to me last month with my SSDI payment. Payment date on letter said January 15th, but nothing showed up until the 17th! I called and waited on hold for TWO HOURS just to be told "it's normal for first payments to be delayed" and "just be patient." The system is so broken - they expect us to follow every rule perfectly but can't even get payments out on time. And good luck getting someone on the phone to explain what's going on!

In my experience working with SS beneficiaries, first payments often follow a different timeline than recurring payments. Your regular monthly deposits will be much more predictable once they start. The first payment sometimes includes back benefits if applicable, which requires additional processing time. Also, if the 12th falls on a weekend or holiday in future months, the payment would be made on the preceding business day, but this doesn't apply to your situation since today is a regular business day. I'd recommend waiting until at least Friday before contacting SSA. When you do need to call, try early morning (right when they open) for shorter wait times.

did u check if they have the right bank info? i got a letter saying deposit but they had my account # wrong so they ended up mailing a check instead. took extra 2 weeks!!

Anyone know if the payment date on the award letter is when they send it or when ur supposed to get it? Mine said the 3rd but came on the 5th last month

Just wanted to follow up - did your payment show up yet? First payments sometimes take up to 5 business days to process through the banking system, especially if your bank has a hold policy for new direct deposits. For future reference, recurring Social Security retirement benefits are paid on the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th Wednesday of each month, depending on your birth date. Since this is your first payment, it's on a different schedule, but going forward it will be more predictable.

So glad to hear your payment finally came through! This is exactly why I always tell people not to panic on the first payment - the system works, it just takes a little longer than we'd like sometimes. For anyone else reading this thread who might be waiting on their first Social Security payment, the key takeaways are: 1) First payments often take 1-5 business days after the stated date, 2) Double-check your banking info in your MySocialSecurity account, 3) Wait at least until Friday before calling SSA, and 4) Once you're on the regular schedule, payments are much more predictable. Welcome to the Social Security family, and enjoy your retirement!

I'm so glad I found this thread! I'm scheduled to start receiving my first Social Security retirement benefits next month and I've been wondering what to expect with the timing. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful - it sounds like patience is key with that first payment. The fact that Sayid's payment showed up just a day late gives me hope that the system generally works, even if it's not always perfectly on time. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and advice. It's reassuring to know there's a supportive community here for navigating these important financial milestones!

This whole thread has been such a great resource! I'm a new retiree who just submitted my Social Security application last week, and I was already starting to worry about payment timing after reading some horror stories online. It's so reassuring to see real people sharing their actual experiences - both the delays and the successful outcomes. The advice about waiting at least until Friday before calling SSA, checking your MySocialSecurity account for correct banking info, and understanding that first payments often take longer than recurring ones is invaluable. I'm definitely going to bookmark this thread for when my award letter arrives. Thanks to everyone who took the time to help Sayid through his anxiety - this community support makes such a difference when dealing with government systems that can feel overwhelming!

As someone who's been through this exact situation, I can't stress enough how helpful this thread would have been when I was waiting for my first payment! I remember that sinking feeling when the payment date came and went with nothing in my account. What I learned is that Social Security's payment processing is actually quite reliable, but the timing can be confusing for newcomers. The payment date on your award letter is when they release the funds, not when your bank receives them. I'd also recommend calling your bank to ask about their policy for new direct deposits - some banks place temporary holds on first-time deposits from new sources, which can add an extra day or two. It's frustrating that SSA doesn't explain these potential delays upfront, but once you get through that first payment, the monthly schedule becomes very predictable. Hang in there, everyone - the system works, it just takes patience with that initial payment!

This thread has been incredibly informative! I'm currently in the application process for Social Security disability benefits and was already getting anxious about payment timing after hearing mixed experiences from friends and family. Reading through everyone's real experiences here - especially seeing how Sayid's situation resolved positively - has given me so much peace of mind. The practical tips about checking banking info, understanding that first payments can take 1-5 business days, and knowing when to actually worry versus when to be patient are exactly what I needed to hear. It's also really eye-opening to learn about potential bank holds on first-time SSA deposits - definitely something I'll discuss with my bank ahead of time. Thank you to everyone who shared their stories and advice. This kind of community support makes navigating government systems so much less stressful!

This entire conversation has been such a treasure trove of information! As someone who will be eligible for Social Security in about two years, I'm taking notes on everything discussed here. The key insights about first payment delays being normal (1-5 business days), the importance of verifying banking information through MySocialSecurity, and understanding that the payment date means when SSA releases funds rather than when you receive them are all incredibly valuable. What really stands out to me is how supportive this community is - Sayid asked a perfectly reasonable question about a stressful situation, and everyone jumped in with their real experiences and practical advice. It's also concerning but good to know that SSA doesn't clearly communicate these potential delays upfront. I'll definitely be bookmarking this thread for future reference and sharing it with friends who are approaching retirement age. Thanks to everyone who contributed - this is exactly the kind of peer support that makes navigating government systems more manageable!

I'm really glad I stumbled across this thread! I'm about 6 months away from filing for my Social Security retirement benefits and have been doing research to prepare myself for the process. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been so enlightening - especially learning that first payment delays of 1-5 business days are completely normal and not a sign that something went wrong. The tip about potentially asking your bank about their hold policies for new government deposits is brilliant - I never would have thought of that! It's also really helpful to understand that the payment date on the award letter is when SSA releases the funds, not when they hit your account. What strikes me most is how this community rallied around Sayid when he was stressed and provided such practical, reassuring advice. The government websites can be so confusing and impersonal, but getting real experiences from actual people makes all the difference. I'm definitely going to set up my MySocialSecurity account early and bookmark this thread for reference. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories - this kind of peer support is invaluable when navigating these major life transitions!