Social Security December 2025 Payments: Full Schedule, $967 SSI Checks and the Early 2026 COLA Boost

Millions of Americans are heading into December 2025 watching their bank accounts closely — and this month is a big one for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients.

Because of how the calendar falls, SSI beneficiaries will receive two payments in December: one on Monday, December 1, and another on Wednesday, December 31, which is actually the January 2026 benefit paid early due to the New Year’s Day holiday. ^[1]

At the same time, retirees, survivors and disability (SSDI) beneficiaries will see their regular December Social Security checks go out on December 3, 10, 17 and 24, depending on when they first claimed benefits and their date of birth. ^[2]

On top of that, the 2026 cost‑of‑living adjustment (COLA) — a 2.8% increase — kicks in with payments payable at the end of December for SSI and in January 2026 for regular Social Security, giving beneficiaries a modest raise as the new year begins. ^[3]

Below is a clear breakdown of everything happening with Social Security and SSI in December 2025, who gets the $967 SSI payment, who sees two checks, and how the COLA will change benefits going forward.

December 2025 Social Security and SSI Payment Dates at a Glance

Here’s the official schedule for December 2025, based on Social Security Administration (SSA) calendars and recent reporting. ^[4]

SSI (Supplemental Security Income)

Monday, December 1 – Regular December SSI payment (2025 rates).
Wednesday, December 31 – January 2026 SSI payment paid early because January 1 is a federal holiday. This check includes the new 2026 COLA increase. ^[5]

Social Security retirement, survivor and SSDI benefits

Wednesday, December 3
- Beneficiaries who began receiving Social Security before May 1997, and
- People who get both SSI and Social Security (they receive SSI on the 1st and Social Security on the 3rd). ^[6]
Wednesday, December 10
- Social Security recipients whose birthday is on the 1st–10th of any month. ^[7]
Wednesday, December 17
- Social Security recipients with birthdays on the 11th–20th of any month. ^[8]
Wednesday, December 24
- Social Security recipients with birthdays on the 21st–31st of any month. ^[9]

This schedule applies to nearly 74 million people who receive Social Security each month, plus around 7.5 million SSI recipients who rely on the program as a safety net. ^[10]

Who Gets the $967 SSI Payment on December 1?

The December 1 SSI payment is especially important because many headlines are highlighting the “$967 check”.

2025 SSI federal payment standard

For 2025, the maximum federal SSI amounts are: ^[11]

$967 per month for an eligible individual
$1,450 per month for an eligible couple (both spouses qualifying)

Not everyone gets the maximum. Hindustan Times and other outlets note that the average SSI payment is about $717.84 per month, reflecting the fact that SSI is income‑tested and many recipients don’t qualify for the full federal amount. ^[12]

Some states add a small state supplement, which can push the total payment above these federal minimums. ^[13]

Who qualifies for SSI?

SSI is not the same as Social Security retirement. It is a needs‑based program designed for people who: ^[14]

Are 65 or older, or
Are blind or have a qualifying disability, and
Have limited income and limited resources (cash, savings, property, etc.)

Crucially, you don’t have to have worked or paid Social Security taxes to qualify for SSI. It is funded through general tax revenues, not Social Security payroll taxes. ^[15]

If you meet these requirements and are already enrolled, your December benefit at 2025 rates will arrive on Monday, December 1.

Why SSI Recipients Get Two Checks in December 2025

The two‑payment month is one of the biggest questions beneficiaries have right now.

Under SSA rules, SSI is normally paid on the 1st of each month. When the first day of a month is a weekend or federal holiday, SSA issues the payment on the preceding business day. ^[16]

In this case:

January 1, 2026 is New Year’s Day, a federal holiday.
So the January 2026 SSI payment is shifted to Wednesday, December 31, 2025. ^[17]

That means:

December 1, 2025 – Your December SSI (last regular check at 2025 rates).
December 31, 2025 – Your January 2026 SSI, arriving early and already boosted by the 2.8% COLA. ^[18]

It can feel like a bonus, but the SSA and financial experts stress that the December 31 deposit counts as your January payment, so you will not receive an additional SSI payment in early January. ^[19]

Social Security Retirement, SSDI and Survivor Benefits: December Dates by Birthday

For people receiving Social Security retirement, survivor benefits, or SSDI (disability) — not SSI — the payment schedule is mostly tied to your birthday and when you first started your benefit.

According to the SSA payment calendar and recent coverage from Investopedia and U.S. outlets: ^[20]

1. If you received Social Security before May 1997

You’re on a legacy schedule:

You’re paid on the 3rd of every month, regardless of your birthday.
In December 2025, that means:
- Payment date:Wednesday, December 3

People who receive both SSI and Social Security fall in this group too — they get SSI on the 1st and Social Security on the 3rd. ^[21]

2. If you filed May 1997 or later

Your payment depends on the day of the month you were born:

Birthday on the 1st–10th
- Paid:Wednesday, December 10
Birthday on the 11th–20th
- Paid:Wednesday, December 17
Birthday on the 21st–31st
- Paid:Wednesday, December 24

These dates are consistent across multiple outlets and the SSA’s own 2025 payment schedule PDF. ^[22]

Most beneficiaries now receive their money by direct deposit or Direct Express debit card, which is the default for new enrollees and strongly encouraged by the Treasury Department for speed and security. ^[23]

How the 2.8% 2026 COLA Changes Your Benefits

The Social Security Administration has confirmed a 2.8% cost‑of‑living adjustment (COLA) for 2026, affecting both Social Security and SSI. ^[24]

When the COLA shows up

For SSI recipients
- The higher 2026 amounts begin with payments payable on December 31, 2025, i.e., the January 2026 SSI check that arrives one day early. ^[25]
For Social Security retirement, SSDI and survivor beneficiaries
- The increase begins with benefits payable in January 2026, which will land on your usual January payment date. ^[26]

New 2026 SSI payment standards

According to SSA fact sheets and official SSI tables, the federal maximum SSI amounts for 2026 are: ^[27]

$994 per month for an eligible individual
$1,491 per month for an eligible couple
$498 per month for an essential person (a specific support category)

That’s a monthly boost of $27 for an individual and $41 for an eligible couple compared with 2025. ^[28]

Roughly estimating your new Social Security benefit

For Social Security (retirement, SSDI, survivors), your benefit will also rise 2.8% in 2026. ^[29]

To estimate:

Take your current gross monthly benefit from your latest SSA letter or online account.
Multiply it by 0.028 (2.8%).
Add that amount to your current benefit.

Example:

Current benefit: $2,000
COLA increase: $2,000 × 0.028 = $56
New benefit: about $2,056 per month starting with your January 2026 payment.

Your exact amount may vary slightly due to rounding and any changes in Medicare Part B premiums.

What to Do if Your December Payment Is Late or Missing

With so much riding on these deposits — rent, utilities, food and medical bills — a missing payment can be stressful. Here’s what SSA and recent reporting recommend. ^[30]

Check with your bank or card issuer first.
- Sometimes the money has been sent, but your bank or Direct Express card is delayed in posting the deposit.
Wait a few days (for mailed checks).
- SSA’s official guidance says you should allow about three additional mailing days after your expected date before contacting them about a missing payment. ^[31]
Then contact Social Security directly.
- Call SSA at 1‑800‑772‑1213 (TTY 1‑800‑325‑0778) or reach out to your local Social Security office. If the payment is still due, SSA will trace and replace it. ^[32]
Beware of scams.
- SSA will not demand payment or gift cards to “release” your benefits. If you get suspicious calls, hang up and contact SSA using an official number listed on ssa.gov. ^[33]

Budgeting Tips for a Two‑Payment SSI Month

Because December brings two SSI deposits, it can be tempting to think of the December 31 payment as “extra money.” In reality, it’s January’s benefit arriving early.

A few simple strategies can help:

Label the deposits.
- Treat December 1 as “December SSI” and December 31 as “January SSI” in your budget or notebook so you don’t accidentally spend both in December.
Plan around January bills.
- Use the December 31 payment to cover January rent, utilities, medications, and food, especially bills due early in the month.
Avoid new debt.
- Retailers know December payments are larger for some households; try to resist taking on new credit card balances just because there’s temporarily more cash in your account.
Check for state supplements and benefits.
- Some states add a state SSI supplement or offer programs that stack with SSI (like energy assistance, SNAP, or property‑tax relief). Reviewing eligibility as the new COLA takes effect can help stretch your income further. ^[34]

FAQ: December 2025 Social Security and SSI Payments

Will everyone get two Social Security payments in December 2025?

No. Only SSI recipients get two payments — December 1 (December benefit) and December 31 (January 2026 benefit paid early). Most Social Security retirement, SSDI and survivor beneficiaries will still receive one Social Security payment in December, scheduled on December 3, 10, 17 or 24 based on their status and birth date. ^[35]

Does the December 31 payment mean I get extra money?

Not in the long run. The December 31 SSI deposit is your January 2026 benefit, just arriving early because of the holiday. There will be no additional SSI payment at the start of January. Your next SSI payment after that will be for February’s benefit, on the date shown in SSA’s 2026 calendar. ^[36]

How many people are affected?

About 74 million people receive Social Security benefits each month. ^[37]
Roughly 7.5 million people receive SSI, and they are the ones who will see two payments in December 2025, with the second reflecting the 2026 COLA increase. ^[38]

Will the government shutdown stop my December Social Security check?

No. Recent reporting and SSA guidance emphasize that Social Security benefits continue to be paid during federal government shutdowns because they are funded through permanent appropriations, not the annual budget process. ^[39]

Where can I see the official payment calendars?

The SSA has published official payment calendars for 2025 and 2026 on its website, including all Social Security and SSI dates. You can download the PDFs directly from SSA’s “Schedule of Social Security Payments” page. ^[40]

If you rely on Social Security or SSI, December 2025 is a month to watch carefully:

Know your exact payment dates,
Plan for the early January SSI check on December 31, and
Factor the 2.8% COLA into your 2026 budget.

For individualized advice about how these changes affect you, it’s best to log into your my Social Security account or speak directly with SSA or a qualified benefits advisor.

Social Security COLA increase for 2026 announced