What May 14th means for your Social Security payment
May 14th is a payment date — the day Social Security deposits money into your bank account or mails a check, depending on how you receive benefits. Not everyone gets paid on May 14th. Social Security spreads payments across three dates each month based on your birth date, so your payment day might be the 3rd, 10th, 17th, 23rd, or 31st instead.
If May 14th is your payment date, your deposit should arrive by the end of that business day if you use direct deposit, or within a few days if you receive a check. The exact timing depends on your bank — some post deposits as early as 11 p.m. the night before, while others wait until morning.
You can confirm your personal payment date by logging into your my Social Security account at ssa.gov, calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213, or checking your Social Security statement. Your statement shows "Payment Date" for each month.
Key Takeaways
- Your payment date depends on your birth date, not on when you filed or how much you receive.
- May 14th is a payment date for people born between the 21st and 31st of any month.
- Direct deposit deposits arrive by end of business day; checks take a few more days to arrive by mail.
- You can see your exact payment date in your my Social Security account or by calling 1-800-772-1213.
- If your deposit does not arrive by the end of the next business day, contact your bank first, then Social Security if the bank confirms no deposit was sent.
How Social Security schedules payment dates
Social Security divides beneficiaries into three groups to spread the workload of processing millions of payments each month. Your group is determined by your birth date, not by the type of benefit you receive or how much money you get.
The schedule works like this: people born on the 1st through the 10th of any month are paid on the second Wednesday of each month. People born on the 11th through the 20th are paid on the third Wednesday. People born on the 21st through the 31st are paid on the fourth Wednesday. May 14th, 2024 falls on a Wednesday and is the fourth Wednesday of the month, so it covers everyone born between the 21st and 31st.
This schedule applies to retirement benefits, survivor benefits, and disability benefits (SSDI). Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients are paid on the first of each month, regardless of birth date.
Direct deposit versus check payments
If you receive benefits by direct deposit, the money goes into your bank account electronically. Social Security sends the deposit to your bank the day before the payment date, so if your payment date is May 14th, the transfer happens on May 13th. Most banks post the deposit by end of business on May 14th, though some show it as early as the evening of May 13th.
If you receive a paper check, Social Security mails it several days before the payment date. A check dated May 14th typically arrives in your mailbox within three to five business days, depending on your location and mail speed. If you live far from a mail processing center, it may take longer.
Direct deposit is faster and more find — you do not have to worry about a check being lost or stolen in the mail. You can switch to direct deposit through your my Social Security account, by calling 1-800-772-1213, or by visiting a local Social Security office.
What to do if your deposit does not arrive on time
If May 14th passes and you do not see your deposit, start by checking with your bank. Call the customer service number on the back of your debit card or bank statement and ask whether the Social Security deposit was received. Your bank can tell you the exact time it arrived and why it might not be showing in your account yet.
Some banks hold deposits for a day or two, especially if you recently opened the account or changed your direct deposit information. If your bank confirms the deposit arrived but you still cannot see it, ask the bank to investigate the hold.
If your bank confirms that no deposit was received from Social Security, then contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. Have your Social Security number and bank account information ready. Social Security can check whether the payment was sent and to which account. If there was an error in your banking information on file, Social Security can help you correct it and resend the payment.
Updating your payment information
If you need to change your payment date, bank account, or switch between direct deposit and checks, you can make these changes through your my Social Security account. Log in, go to "Manage Your Benefits," and select "Change Direct Deposit Information" or "Change How You Receive Your Benefits."
Changes made before the 10th of the month usually take effect with the next scheduled payment. Changes made after the 10th typically take effect the following month. For example, if you change your bank account information on May 12th, the change might not explore until your June payment.
If you do not have a my Social Security account, you can call 1-800-772-1213 to make changes over the phone, or visit your local Social Security office in person. Bring your Social Security card and a photo ID.
Understanding your payment amount on May 14th
The amount you receive on May 14th should match the amount shown in your my Social Security account under "Benefit Amount." This amount is calculated based on your age, your work history, and when you started receiving benefits. It does not change month to month unless you reported a life change — such as returning to work, getting married, or a change in living situation — that affects your benefits.
If your May 14th payment is different from what you expected, log into your account and check the "Benefit Amount" section. If it has changed, Social Security will have sent you a notice in the mail explaining why. If you did not receive a notice or do not understand the change, call 1-800-772-1213 to speak with a representative.
Cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) happen once a year, usually in December or January, and affect the amount you receive starting the following month. These are announced by Social Security in October each year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do some people get paid on May 14th and others do not?
Social Security spreads payments across three dates each month based on birth date to manage the volume of transactions. If you were born between the 21st and 31st of any month, May 14th is your payment date. If you were born on the 1st through 10th, you are paid on the second Wednesday (May 8th in 2024). If you were born on the 11th through 20th, you are paid on the third Wednesday (May 15th in 2024).
What time does the deposit show up on May 14th?
Direct deposits typically post by end of business on May 14th, though some banks show them as early as the evening of May 13th. The exact time depends on your bank's processing schedule. If you do not see it by the end of May 14th, contact your bank to confirm it was received.
Can I change my payment date to a different day?
No, your payment date is fixed based on your birth date and cannot be changed. However, you can switch between direct deposit and checks, or change which bank account receives your deposit. These changes are made through your my Social Security account or by calling 1-800-772-1213.
What if I need my money before May 14th?
Social Security cannot advance payments or change your payment date. If you need money before your scheduled payment, you may want to explore other options such as a short-term loan, local information programs, or help from family or friends. Your local Area Agency on Aging (find it through Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116) can point you toward emergency information programs in your area.
Do I get paid on May 14th if it falls on a weekend or holiday?
Social Security schedules payments based on the regular calendar date, not on whether it falls on a weekend or holiday. If May 14th is a Saturday or Sunday, your bank may post the deposit on the Friday before or the Monday after, depending on the bank's processing schedule. If it is a federal holiday, the deposit usually posts the business day before.