Social Security payments on December 3, 2025 go to two main groups: beneficiaries who started receiving retirement, survivors, or disability benefits before May 1997, and those who receive both Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Who Gets Paid on December 3
December 3 is the first Wednesday of the month, reserved for legacy beneficiaries under SSA rules.
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Pre-May 1997 Beneficiaries: Retirees, disabled workers, or survivors who filed before May 1, 1997, receive payments on the first business day after the 1st (December 1 was Monday, so shifted to Wednesday).
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SSI + Social Security Recipients: Those getting concurrent benefits follow the early-month schedule alongside pre-1997 filers.
SSI-only recipients got their December payment on December 1; the next SSI comes December 31 (early January due to holiday).
Full December Schedule Context
| Date | Who Gets Paid |
|---|---|
| Dec 1 | SSI-only recipients |
| Dec 3 | Pre-1997 filers & SSI+SS recipients |
| Dec 10 | Birthdays 1st–10th |
| Dec 17 | Birthdays 11th–20th |
| Dec 24 | Birthdays 21st–31st |
| Dec 31 | Early January SSI |
How to Confirm Your Date
Direct deposit arrives by midnight local time (bank-dependent); paper checks take 3+ mailing days. Log into mySocialSecurity, check your award letter, or call 1-800-772-1213 if unsure.
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FAQs
Q1: Why December 3 instead of December 1?
December 1 was Monday; SSA pays pre-1997/SSI+SS on the next Wednesday.
Q2: Does SSI get paid December 3?
SSI-only: no (Dec 1/31). SSI+SS: yes, their SS portion.
Q3: What if my payment is late?
Allow 3 mailing days for checks; contact SSA after.
