Over 70 million Americans rely on monthly benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA)—including retirement, spousal, survivor, and SSI payments.
Due to the volume of beneficiaries, payments are staggered across specific days depending on birthdates and eligibility categories.
If you’re wondering when your July 2025 Social Security check will arrive, here’s everything you need to know.
July 2025 Social Security Payment Dates
The SSA issues payments based on two systems:
- SSI and pre-May 1997 beneficiaries follow fixed dates.
- Post-May 1997 recipients are paid on Wednesdays based on their birthdays.
Payment Date
Payment Type | Who Receives It | Payment Date |
---|---|---|
SSI | Low-income seniors, adults, and children with disabilities | Tuesday, July 1 |
Retirees (before May 1997) | Started receiving benefits before May 1997 | Thursday, July 3 |
Born 1st–10th | Retirement, spousal, or survivor benefits | Wednesday, July 9 |
Born 11th–20th | Same as above | Wednesday, July 16 |
Born 21st–31st | Same as above | Wednesday, July 23 |
How Much Can You Expect?
The average Social Security retirement benefit for 2025 has surpassed $2,000, with some recipients eligible for up to $5,108 per month depending on when they retire and their lifetime earnings.
For SSI recipients, the average monthly payment is around $718, with a maximum of $967 per individual. Your actual payment will depend on factors like age, marital status, income, and disability.
What Determines Your Payment Date?
1. Benefit Type
- SSI recipients always get paid on the 1st of the month.
- If you receive both SSI and Social Security, you’ll get your Social Security payment on the 3rd.
2. Start Date
- Those who began receiving benefits before May 1997 also receive payments on the 3rd of every month.
3. Birthday
- Everyone else is paid based on their birth date, using the three Wednesday system:
- 1st–10th → Second Wednesday
- 11th–20th → Third Wednesday
- 21st–31st → Fourth Wednesday
What Should You Do Before July?
To avoid payment delays, make sure:
- You’ve filed your 2024 tax return.
- Your direct deposit info is updated with SSA.
- You’ve set up a mySocialSecurity account for easy tracking.
If you haven’t opted for direct deposit, your check may arrive a few days later by mail.
Important Upcoming Change
Starting October 2025, all federal payments including Social Security, SSI, and SSDI must be delivered electronically. Paper checks will no longer be issued, so make sure your banking information is current with the SSA.
Whether you’re receiving retirement, spousal, survivor, or SSI benefits, knowing your July 2025 payment date can help with better planning and financial stability.
Be sure to verify your birthdate-based schedule, confirm your payment method, and stay updated via your SSA account to avoid delays. With the average payment now over $2,000, staying informed is more important than ever.
FAQs
What if my birthday is on the 15th of the month?
You’ll receive your payment on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, which is the third Wednesday of the month.
Can I still receive a paper check?
Yes, but only until September 30, 2025. After that, all payments must be made electronically.
Will the amount of my benefit change in July?
No change occurs monthly unless there is an adjustment or update in your status. The next COLA increase typically takes effect in January.