My mother has always received her social security (from my dad’s earnings - he is deceased) on the third. She receives assistance and is classified as a QI (qualifying individual). Today is the fourth and her check has not deposited? Any reason why? SHE IS VERY DISTRAUGHT- she is 81 and very worried). Your help is appreciated.

Hi. There's no way to know for sure without access to your mother's Social Security records, so I can only give you general information. Most people are now paid their benefits either on the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th Wednesday of the month depending on the birthdate of the worker on whose account they are paid benefits (https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10031-2022.pdf).

If your mother has been receiving her benefits on the 3rd of the month then she apparently met an exception to the normal payment schedule. Since 1997, the only people who should be receiving their payments on the 3rd day of the month are:
a) People who first filed for benefits before May 1997; or,
b) People who are receiving both Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security payments; or,
c) People who live in a foreign country; or,
d) People whose Medicare premiums are paid by the state where they live.

If your mother previously met one of the above exceptions but no longer does, then it's possible that Social Security may have changed her payment date. Only Social Security can tell you for sure, though, so your mother should probably call them to find out if her payment date has changed or if there is some other problem.

Best, Jerry