If you are looking for the 2021 SSDI Payment Schedule, look no further. We can help you. Recipients of retirement benefits, spousal benefits, and disability benefits, including Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) will receive monthly payments based on their birthday.
In the post below, we have explained in detail how the 2021 SSDI Payment Schedule works.
In addition, we will provide you with the specific dates on which your SSDI benefit payments will be deposited into your account.
Finally, we will answer the most frequently asked questions about Social Security disability payments.
This Post will Cover:
- Electronic Delivery of Disability Payments
- How Social Security Payment Schedule Works
- 2021 Disability Payment Schedule
- Example of Monthly Disability Payment Calendar
- 2021 SSDI Payment Calendar by Month
Why Social Security Payments Dates are Important
Social Security benefits are sent out the month after they are due.
This means that Social Security checks are paid in arrears, so any check received is for the month prior.
For example, your March payment is distributed in April.
Furthermore, the Social Security Administration adjusts payments each year to keep pace with inflation.
This is called the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA).
The Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment will see an increase of 1.6% in 2020 and 1.3% in 2021.
Electronic Delivery of Disability Payments
As of March 1, 2013, Social Security stopped mailing paper checks. Beneficiaries are now required to receive their monthly payments electronically.
If you are still receiving paper check, the SSA will probably switch your payments to electronic delivery by signing you up for the Direct Express Debit card.
There are two ways you can receive your benefits electronically:
Direct deposit of your disability payment: This option deposits your payment into your bank account on the day you are paid.
You need a checking or savings account with a bank or credit union to use this option.
Direct Express Debit Card: If you do not sign up for direct deposit, your benefits will be paid to you via Direct Express debit card option.
The Direct Express debit card works anywhere Debit Mastercards are accepted.
You can also use your Direct Express debit card to make purchases and also get cash back at the grocery store or to purchase money orders at the post office.
How Social Security Payment Schedule Works
When you receive your Social Security Retirement Benefits (SS) or Disability Benefits (SSDI) depends on your birthday.
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- 1- If your birthday falls between the 1st and 10th of the month, you’ll receive SSDI benefits on the 2nd Wednesday of every month.
- 2- If your birthday falls between the 11th and 20th of the month, your benefits will come on the 3rd Wednesday of every month.
- 3- If your birthday falls between the 21st and the last day of the month, your payments will come on the 4th Wednesday of every month.
2021 SSDI Payment Schedule
Example of Monthly Disability Payment Calendar
To demonstrate how to Social Security Disability calendar works, we have selected the month of May to show you how to read the calendar above.
For May 2021:
- 1- If your birth date falls on the 1st – 10th day of the month, Social Security disability benefits are paid on May 12th.
- 2- If your birth date falls on the 11th – 20th day of the month, Social Security disability benefits are paid on May 19th.
- 3- If your birth date falls on the 21st – 31st day of the month, Social Security disability benefits are paid on May 26th.
2021 SSDI Payment Calendar by Month
For your convenience, we have provided the 2021 Social Security Disability Calendar by month below.
| 2021 | SSI Only | Both SS & SSI |
| January | 31-Dec-2020 | 31-Dec-2020 |
| February | 1 | 3 |
| March | 1 | 3 |
| April | 1 | 2 |
| May | 30-Apr-2021 | 3 |
| June | 1 | 3 |
| July | 1 | 2 |
| August | 30-Jul-2021 | 3 |
| September | 1 | 3 |
| October | 1 | 1 |
| November | 1 | 3 |
| December | 1 | 3 |
SSDI Benefits FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the SSDI benefits when it comes to payments.
Can Social Security take away my SSDI benefits?
Yes, you can lose your disability benefits if your condition improves to the point that you no longer meet the SSA’s definition of “disabled.”
For your benefits to be taken away, the SSA must show there has been medical improvement related to your ability to work before they can cut your SSDI benefit payments.
Can I get unemployment benefits while waiting for SSDI benefits?
The issue with unemployment versus SSDI benefits is the difference in why someone receives these benefits.
When you receive SSDI, it means you are unable to do your past work or any other work.
However, unemployment benefits generally indicate you are ready, willing and able to work, but haven’t found employment yet.
Some administrative law judges (ALJs) look at your individual circumstances when determining the significance of your application for unemployment benefits and related efforts to obtain employment when determining if you qualify for SSDI.
You may put your SSDI application in danger if you have recently received unemployment benefits while at the same time applied for SSDI.
That is because your unemployment benefits mean you are saying you are willing and able to work.
Can you receive both SSI and SSDI at the same time?
Yes, it is possible to receive both SSI and SSDI simultaneously.
This situation is generally described as “concurrent benefits” and is only possible if you have already been approved for SSDI with low monthly benefits.
For SSI eligibility and income limit, click here.
What is the difference between SSI and SSDI?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) runs two different disability programs, Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
The SSI program is a financial need-based program for disabled individuals who haven’t earned enough work credits to qualify for SSDI.
The SSDI program pays disability benefits to eligible workers who have earned enough work credits based on taxable employment in the past 10 years.
The main difference between the two programs has to do with how long an individual has worked in the past 10 years.
Can I get additional benefits if I have children/dependents?
Children up to age 18 or who have not graduated from high school are entitled to benefits if a parent is deceased, retired or disabled.
Generally, dependent children of a disabled parent will receive about 50% of the disabled parent’s monthly benefit.
The 50% payment is divided equally among all eligible dependents.
How hard is it to get Social Security disability benefits?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) denies 67% of the people filing initial disability applications.
In addition, the process can take a long time. On average, it can take between two to four years.
Can Social Security take away my SSDI benefits?
Yes, it can happen but does not happen often.
You can lose your disability benefits if your condition improves to the point that you no longer meet the SSA’s definition of “disabled.”
However, The SSA must show there has been medical improvement related to your ability to work before they can cease your SSDI benefits.
Can I get additional benefits if I have children/dependents?
Yes, but it depends on your circumstances.
Children up to age 18 or who have not graduated from high school are entitled to benefits if a parent is deceased, retired, or disabled.
Generally, dependent children of a disabled parent will receive an additional amount of about 50% of the disabled parent’s own monthly benefit.
However, the 50% monthly payment is divided equally among all eligible dependents.
Can I get unemployment benefits while waiting for SSDI benefits?
Receiving unemployment benefits does not necessarily prevent you from getting SSDI benefits.
However, it is a factor the Social Security Administration will consider when determining whether or not you qualify for SSDI benefits.
In addition, some administrative law judges (ALJs) may not award SSDI benefits if someone is receiving or has applied for unemployment.
Furthermore, the disability onset dates may have to be amended to the day after someone received their last unemployment check.
Another point to consider is that when you receive SSDI, it means you are unable to do your past work or any other work.
Nevertheless, receiving unemployment benefits generally means you are ready, willing, and able to work, but haven’t found employment yet.
2021 SSDI Payment Schedule Summary
If you have any questions about SSDI benefits, please ask us in the comments section below.
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Be sure to check out our other articles on Social Security including SSI payments Schedule, Direct Express Pending Deposits (What it Means), Dispute Resolution, and Top Complaints about Direct Express Card.