Social Security December 2025 Payments: Full Schedule, Double SSI Checks and the 2026 COLA Explained

Millions of Americans are waking up on December 1, 2025 wondering when their Social Security and SSI money will hit their accounts—and why some people are seeing two payments this month instead of one.

Here’s a clear, up‑to‑date guide to the December 2025 Social Security payment schedule, who gets the extra SSI deposit, and how the new 2.8% cost‑of‑living adjustment (COLA) changes your benefit going into 2026. ^[1]

Key December 2025 Social Security and SSI Dates at a Glance

Based on the Social Security Administration’s 2025 payment calendar and current news reports, here’s the official schedule for December 2025: ^[2]

Monday, Dec. 1
- SSI (Supplemental Security Income) payment for December 2025
Wednesday, Dec. 3
- Social Security benefits for people who:
  - Started receiving benefits before May 1997, or
  - Receive both Social Security and SSI
Wednesday, Dec. 10
- Social Security for people whose birthday is on the 1st–10th of any month
Wednesday, Dec. 17
- Social Security for people whose birthday is on the 11th–20th
Wednesday, Dec. 24
- Social Security for people whose birthday is on the 21st–31st
Wednesday, Dec. 31
- Second SSI payment in December — this is actually your January 2026 SSI benefit paid early, at the new 2.8% higher COLA rate

So yes, SSI recipients receive two deposits in December 2025 (Dec. 1 and Dec. 31), but only one deposit in January 2026. ^[3]

How Social Security Payment Dates Normally Work

To understand why December looks “weird,” it helps to know the standard Social Security rules.

Retirement, survivor and SSDI benefits

Most Social Security retirement, survivor and disability (SSDI) payments are sent on Wednesdays, based on your birth date: ^[4]

Born 1st–10th → 2nd Wednesday of the month
Born 11th–20th → 3rd Wednesday
Born 21st–31st → 4th Wednesday

There’s one major exception: if you started receiving Social Security before May 1997, or you receive both Social Security and SSI, your Social Security payment is usually sent on the 3rd of the month instead of a Wednesday. ^[5]

SSI (Supplemental Security Income)

SSI is different:

SSI is a needs‑based program for people with low income and limited resources who are 65 or older, blind or disabled. ^[6]
Payments usually go out on the 1st of the month.
If the 1st falls on a weekend or federal holiday, SSI is paid on the previous business day. ^[7]

Because January 1, 2026 is a federal holiday, the January SSI payment is pushed up to Dec. 31, 2025, creating that “double payment” month. ^[8]

December 2025 Social Security Payment Schedule in Detail

Here’s how the December 2025 schedule actually plays out for different groups of beneficiaries, combining official SSA calendars with the latest news coverage. ^[9]

1. SSI recipients

Dec. 1:
- Regular December SSI benefit
- Based on 2025 federal payment standards
Dec. 31:
- January 2026 SSI benefit paid early
- First payment with the new 2.8% COLA increase

If you receive SSI only, you’ll see two deposits in December and no SSI deposit in January 2026. Your next payment after Dec. 31 will show up on Jan. 30, 2026, counting as your February SSI benefit because Feb. 1 falls on a Sunday. ^[10]

2. People who get both SSI and Social Security

If you receive both SSI and Social Security (retirement, survivor or SSDI):

Dec. 1: SSI (December benefit)
Dec. 3: Social Security benefit (because you’re in the group paid on the 3rd of the month)
Dec. 31: SSI (January 2026 benefit, with the new COLA) ^[11]

That means three deposits this month for some dual beneficiaries—though only two of them are Social Security‑related benefits for different months (December and January).

3. Social Security retirement, survivor and SSDI only

If you do not get SSI and you started benefits in May 1997 or later, your December payment dates depend on your birthday:

Dec. 10 (2nd Wednesday):
- Birthday on the 1st–10th
Dec. 17 (3rd Wednesday):
- Birthday on the 11th–20th
Dec. 24 (4th Wednesday):
- Birthday on the 21st–31st ^[12]

If you started benefits before May 1997, you’re paid on Dec. 3 instead. ^[13]

Will You Really Get $967 on December 1?

A viral question in today’s coverage is: “Will I get $967 on Dec. 1?” That number refers to the maximum federal SSI benefit for an individual in 2025, not the amount everyone receives. ^[14]

Here’s how the SSI amounts break down:

2025 SSI maximums (what applies to the Dec. 1 payment)

Eligible individual: up to $967 per month
Eligible couple: up to $1,450 per month

Those are maximum federal amounts. Your actual benefit may be lower, depending on other income and resources, and some states add a small state supplement on top. ^[15]

2026 SSI maximums (what applies to the Dec. 31 payment)

Because of the 2.8% COLA, federal SSI maximums increase starting with January 2026 payments, which are issued on Dec. 31, 2025:

Eligible individual:$994
Eligible couple:$1,491
Essential person:$498 ^[16]

So if you qualify for the maximum federal SSI benefit and don’t have countable income that reduces it, you’d see:

Up to $967 on Dec. 1, and
Up to $994 on Dec. 31

Again, many people receive less than the maximum, often closer to the average SSI benefit of around $718 per month, according to recent estimates. ^[17]

What the 2.8% COLA Means for Social Security in 2026

The Social Security Administration has confirmed a 2.8% cost‑of‑living adjustment (COLA) for 2026. ^[18]

Around 75 million Americans receiving Social Security and SSI will see this increase. ^[19]
For retirees, the average Social Security benefit is expected to rise by about $56 a month—from roughly $2,015 to about $2,071, according to SSA estimates summarized by AARP and other outlets. ^[20]

Timing matters:

December 2025 Social Security payments (checks arriving Dec. 3, 10, 17 and 24) are based on 2025 rates.
The first COLA‑boosted Social Security checks arrive in January 2026, representing your December 2025 benefit with the 2.8% increase.
SSI recipients see the COLA one day earlier, with their January benefit paid on Dec. 31, 2025. ^[21]

Is the December “Double Payment” Extra Money?

Short answer: No.

The second SSI deposit on Dec. 31 is simply your January 2026 benefit paid early because Jan. 1 is a holiday. There is no separate SSI payment in January, and regular Social Security retirement/survivor/SSDI checks still come once a month, on their usual dates. ^[22]

Financial planners and advocates are urging people to budget carefully:

Treat the Dec. 31 payment as your January money, not a holiday bonus.
Plan your rent, utilities and groceries with January’s bills in mind, especially if you struggle with month‑to‑month cash flow. ^[23]

How to Check Your Exact Payment Dates

Even with a clear schedule, individual situations can differ. To confirm your own dates:

Check the SSA payment calendar
- The official 2025 and 2026 payment calendars are available on SSA’s website. ^[24]
Sign in to your “my Social Security” account
- The SSA’s online portal lets you view your upcoming payment dates, past deposits and benefit amount. ^[25]
Review your award or COLA notice
- COLA notices, delivered online and by mail throughout December, show your new 2026 benefit amount and may reference your payment date. ^[26]

What If Your Social Security or SSI Payment Is Late?

Sometimes payments are delayed by bank processing issues, holidays or administrative glitches.

The Social Security Administration advises that if you don’t receive your payment on the expected date, you should: ^[27]

Wait three additional mailing days.
After that window, contact:
- Your bank or financial institution first (to see if funds are pending), then
- The Social Security Administration via phone or your local office.

If your address, bank account, or direct deposit details have changed, update them as soon as possible to avoid missed payments.

Quick FAQs: December 2025 Social Security & SSI

Why am I getting two SSI payments in December 2025?
Because Jan. 1, 2026 is a federal holiday, the January SSI benefit is paid early on Dec. 31, 2025. Combined with your regular Dec. 1 SSI payment, that creates two deposits in December and none in January. ^[28]

Will I get two Social Security retirement checks in December 2025?
No. Retirement, survivor and SSDI benefits are still paid once per month, on Dec. 3, 10, 17 or 24, depending on your situation and birth date. ^[29]

Does the 2.8% COLA apply to both Social Security and SSI?
Yes. The 2026 COLA increases both Social Security and SSI benefits by 2.8%. Social Security beneficiaries see the higher amount with January 2026 checks, while SSI recipients see it first with the Dec. 31 payment. ^[30]

Is $967 the amount everyone gets on Dec. 1?
No. $967 is the 2025 maximum federal SSI benefit for an individual, not the standard amount. Many people receive less, and couples have different limits. ^[31]

Where can I see the official calendar?
You can download the “Schedule of Social Security Benefit Payments” for 2025 and 2026 from SSA.gov or view your personal payment schedule by logging into your my Social Security account. ^[32]

Staying on top of the December 2025 Social Security payment schedule can help you avoid surprises—especially if you’re counting on that second SSI payment at the end of the month. Treat that Dec. 31 deposit as your January lifeline, factor in the upcoming 2.8% COLA, and you’ll be better positioned to start 2026 on steadier financial footing.