The first person to collect Social Security benefits was Ernest Ackerman. He received a whopping payment of 17 cents in January 1937. Social Security began collecting money January 14, 1937.
This was a one-time, lump-sum pay-out—which was the only form of benefits paid during the start-up period January 1937 through December 1939.
I have not been able to discover how much Mr. Ackerman paid in to get the 17 cents worth of benefit. The cost of collecting and distributing the payment is also unknown at this time.