What Do I Do If I'm Missing a Social Security Payment?

Social Security payments are benefits given to qualified people with disabilities, retirees, their spouses, or their children. The federal payment is meant to provide disadvantaged people with a partial replacement of their income or the income of their qualifying ex-spouse, spouse, or parent. If you don't receive your Social Security payment, you may report it.

SSI Payments

You will receive your SSI payments at the beginning of every month. If, however, the payment date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, you will receive your benefits the next day.

If you don't receive your payments on time, the SSA suggests that you call the agency on the phone and ask for help. You should wait at least three days before calling to report that your payment is missing. You may receive your payment on direct deposit, Electronic Transfer Account, or the Direct Express® card program.

SSDI Payments

If you started receiving SSDI payments after 1997, you would receive payments depending on your birthday. If you started receiving

Payments before 1997, you should receive your payments on the third day of every month. If the date falls on a legal holiday, Saturday, or Sunday, your benefits may be paid before or after the date

If Your Social Security Payments Reduced

If you realize that your social security check fell short, it may be due to any of the following reasons;

1. You owe certain debts such as student loans, back taxes, and unpaid alimony

2. Your income increased

3. An increased Medicare premium caused by a higher income

How to Report Your Missing Payment

Unlike in the past, you now need to receive social security benefits through Electronic transfer. The new payment method has improved efficiency and reduced your chances of missing a payment. You may miss your payments because of the following reasons;

1. If you did not give the SSA your updated payment account or direct deposit information

2. If there are concerns about your eligibility for the program

You may be subject to an offset if you have not yet reached your full retirement age and are still working.

The agency protects the first $750 that you receive in benefits.

If your SSA-issued Direct Express debit card or your bank card is missing or stolen, you should contact your bank and the SSA as soon as possible. If you do not, thieves may access your SSA payment.

The best way to report SSA missing payments, lost, or stolen cards is by calling them. You may also report to the nearest SSA office. You will get the chance to speak with a representative. They will work with you to identify the cause of your missing payment. They will explain why your payment was not processed as usual or why it was not deposited to your card.

If you feel that your payment has been wrongly denied, you may ask the representative to help you. If you have a debt that is offsetting your payment, pay it and you will continue to receive your Social Security payments. If your payments have reduced because you have not attained the normal retirement age, they will get back to normal when you retire.

You may contact Social Security for any other problems that you experience when using their services. Be polite and respectful, and they will help you.

Another way to get the help of Social Security is on their help desk. It has plenty of helpful suggestions and targeted tips that may help you address your concerns. Social Security does not offer support on email, live chat, or social media sites.