A partial U.S. government shutdown has started after Congress did not pass a $1.2 trillion funding deal.
This has raised questions about whether Social Security checks could be delayed or stopped.
Will Social Security payments stop?
Social Security payments are expected to continue in February.
Social Security is considered mandatory spending, meaning it does not work the same way as programs that rely on yearly budget approvals.
What services could be slowed down?
Even if payments keep going, some Social Security office work may move more slowly because the agency’s daily operating budget can be affected during a shutdown. People may see delays with:
- Verifying benefits
- Processing overpayments or new claims
- Technical updates and support
Social Security payment dates for February 2026
Here is the payment schedule:
- February 3: People who have been receiving benefits since before May 1997
- Wednesday, February 11: Birthdays from the 1st–10th
- Wednesday, February 18: Birthdays from the 11th–20th
- Wednesday, February 25: Birthdays from the 21st–31st
Reminder about this month’s amount
February payments include the 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) that started in January. On average, beneficiaries are receiving about $56 more per month than last year.
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Read more: State Stimulus Checks: Who Will Get Payments in 2026?
