Social Security payment is coming this Wednesday, March 12, and millions of retirees across the U.S. who rely on Social Security will receive payments. However, not everyone will get it. Understanding how Social Security payments work is important, especially if you fail to receive the expected payment on the stipulated dates. Here is a breakdown of who gets paid on March 12, how Social Security payments work, and why some people might not get their checks.
How Social Security Payments Work
The Social Security Administration (SSA) follows a structured payment schedule based on the birth dates of beneficiaries. Payments are not sent to all beneficiaries at the same time; instead, they are sent on specific Wednesdays throughout the month.
Here is the schedule for Social Security payments for 2025:
Second Wednesday of the month – Retirees born between the 1st and 10th receive their payments.
Third Wednesday of the month – Retirees born between the 11th and 20th get paid.
Fourth Wednesday of the month – Retirees born between the 21st and 31st receive their payments.
Since March 12, 2025, falls on the second Wednesday of the month, beneficiaries born between the 1st and 10th will receive Social Security payments. Those whose birthdays fall under a different range will have to wait for their designated Wednesday later in the month.
Why Not Everyone Will Get a Social Security Check on March 12?
If you expect to receive payment on March 12 but fail to receive it, the following factors could be at play:
Your payment date falls on a different Wednesday
As stated above, Social Security payments are coming on March 12 for only those born between the 1st and 10th of the month. If your birthday is between the 11th and 31st, your payment will arrive on either March 19 or March 26.
You filed for Social Security before May 1997
If you started receiving Social Security benefits before May 1997, your payments follow a different schedule. Instead of receiving your payment based on your birth date, your Social Security payment arrives on the 3rd of the month.
You receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
SSI provides monthly payments to people with disabilities and elderly adults who have little or no income. Those who fall under this category do not follow the Wednesday payment schedule. Instead, SSI payments arrive on the 1st of each month. If the 1st falls on a weekend or holiday, payments are sent out on the last business day of the previous month.
You changed your banking or personal information
If you recently moved to a new address or switched banks, the SSA might not have your updated information. This could delay your payment until SSA processes the changes. If you suspect this might be the issue, you should contact your local SSA office immediately and inform them.
There is an issue with your Social Security benefits
Benefits could be temporarily suspended or delayed due to administrative reasons if:
- You received overpayments.
- You were incarcerated for more than 30 days. If so, benefits are suspended during this period.
- Processing delays due to high workloads at SSA.
- Your first Social Security payment is still being processed
- If you recently applied for Social Security benefits, you might have to wait longer for SSA to process your application. Although SSA states that new applicants receive their first check within two to six weeks, sometimes delays occur.
What to Do in Case of a Social Security Check Delay
If Social Security’s big payment was supposed to arrive on March 12 but you didn’t receive it, take these steps:
- Wait a day because sometimes payments arrive late due to banking delays.
- Check your bank account.
- Contact the Social Security Administration via 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local SSA office to inquire about the status of your payment.
- Verify your mailing information – If you receive paper checks, ensure your mailing address is correct and check for delays with USPS.