Unexpected small Social Security check arrived before my first regular payment - what is this mystery payment?

Thats probably your partial payment for September. When u start SS they sometimes send u a partial for the 1st month depending when your birthday falls. Just cash it, its yours!

I had the EXACT same thing happen last year!! My regular payment was supposed to start in November but I got a small check (mine was $412.33) in October. I called SSA and they explained it was a partial payment for my first month of eligibility because I wasn't eligible for the full month. Something about how they calculate based on your eligibility date and payment cycles. The rep told me it was totally normal but it still confused me why it wouldn't just show up in my online account. Did you sign up for direct deposit? Because all my regular payments came through direct deposit after that random paper check.

That's your back pay for September. Social security pays a month behind, so October payment is for September. But since you weren't approved until partway through September, you're only entitled to a partial payment for that month. The $348.90 is that partial month's benefit. Your regular full monthly payment will start this week as scheduled. Cash that check!

I had the same situation and was confused too! That check is for a partial month's benefit. Let me explain how Social Security handles initial payments: 1. If your entitlement begins partway through a month, you'll receive a prorated amount for that first partial month 2. They often send this initial partial payment as a paper check, even if you signed up for direct deposit 3. For some reason, these initial partial payments sometimes don't show up in your online account history (a system limitation) 4. Your regular full monthly payments will begin as scheduled via direct deposit The amount ($348.90) sounds about right for a partial month. If your full benefit is around $1,200-1,400, that would be roughly 8-10 days worth of benefits. The check is legitimate - you should deposit it.

THE SSA ALWAYS DOES THIS!!! They never explain anything clearly and leave us guessing about our own money! I had THREE weird checks when I started my disability and the online account showed NOTHING. Called them 5 times and got 5 different explanations. THEN they said I was overpaid and wanted some back!!! Check your award letter carefully and DOCUMENT EVERYTHING!!!

Just went through this myself a couple months ago. That's definitely your partial payment for September. When you apply for Social Security benefits, you don't get paid for the exact day you're approved - they have specific rules about when payments start. If you're receiving retirement benefits, they start the month after you reach full retirement age (or when you apply if it's after FRA). Here's the key thing - Social Security pays a month behind. So October's payment covers September. But since you were only eligible for part of September, they sent you a paper check for that partial month. If you're still concerned, you can verify this by calling SSA at 1-800-772-1213, but be prepared for a LONG wait. I spent 3 hours on hold last time I called them.

Thank you all for the responses! I feel much better now knowing this is a normal part of the process. I'll go ahead and deposit the check. It's just confusing that it doesn't show up in the online system, but it sounds like that's unfortunately common with these partial first payments.

One more thing - make sure that you keep track of this payment for tax purposes since it won't show in your online account. Depending on your other income, you might have to pay taxes on part of your social security benefits. This $348.90 would count toward your total SS benefits received for the year. Just something to keep in mind when tax time comes around next year!