Late Social Security Disability Payments

Reasons Why Your Payments May Be Delayed

Every month, millions of Americans receive either Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. If you are one of the recipients, you can be assured the Social Security Administration (SSA) makes every effort to ensure you receive your payments on time.

The SSA has not mailed checks to recipients since 2013. Instead, it deposits benefit payments directly into the bank account of each recipient. This change, of course, eliminates the possibility of payments “being lost in the mail,” but despite this change in favor of automation, payments are nonetheless sometimes late.

The Payment Schedule

Before contacting your local Social Security office about a late payment, it’s important to know the payment schedule and the time of the month when you should receive your payment.

Your payment should arrive in your bank account on the second, third, or fourth Wednesday of the month, depending on your date of birth as follows:

• Birth date between the 1st and 10th of the month – Payment on the second Wednesday
• Birth date between the 11th and the 20th of the month – Payment on the third Wednesday
• Birth date between the 21st and 31st of the month – Payment on the fourth Wednesday of the month

Reasons for Delayed Benefits Payments

Payment of your monthly benefits could be delayed for several different reasons including:

• You changed your bank account and did not notify the SSA.
• The SSA may have changed the bank it uses to process your payments.
• For various reasons – a shortage of staff, for example – the processing of payments may have been slowed at the SSA office that processes your account.

How to Respond to Delayed Payments

The SSA recommends that you wait at least three business days before contacting them concerning late payment of benefits. The number to call is 1-800-772-1213.

On the other hand, if you think your payment has been stolen, you should contact the SSA immediately.

Assistance from the Firm of Leventhal, Sutton & Gornstein

If you are beginning the application process for SSI or SSDI benefits, we strongly recommend that you get professional legal assistance as the application process is long and extremely complex.

At the law firm of Leventhal, Sutton & Gornstein we would be glad to schedule an initial, free consultation to consider the merits of your case.

In a similar fashion, if your initial claim has been denied, we can also provide legal assistance guiding you through the appeals process, including the Hearing and Appeals Council levels, and in some cases, an appeal to the Federal Courts.

Disability law is our focus at our firm, and whatever your particular situation may be, we urge you to contact the firm of Levanthal, Sutton & Gornstein for a free case evaluation and the very best legal advice and assistance in your quest for Social Security benefits.