The odd payment dates (December 2025) of Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries, i.e. no checks on their usual dates. This change is as a result of the way the Social Security Administration makes payments on the weekends and holidays that cut off normal dates of distribution, and annual Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) timings.
Important Modifications in December 2025 Payments
– December payment of the SSI recipients will be made on December 1, 2025, as usual.
– An additional SSI payment will be received on December 31, 2025 which is technically the benefit of January 2026 paid early because of New Year’s Day being a federal holiday on January 1.
– The early payment in December to pay January will mean that the January 2026 payment of SSI will be no, and this should be budgeted.
– The social security retirement and disability checks go on with their usual birthday plan, without stopping the entire month of December.
Why Payments Are Shifted
– In case the first day of a month is on a week-end or holiday, SSI payments will be made on the last business day of the last month to allow beneficiaries to receive the money on time.
– The change can make certain recipients receive two SSI payments in the month of December but none in January, which will be adjusted every few years based on the calendar.
– The retirement checks under social security have a different schedule (Wednesdays according to the date of birth) and cannot be affected by this change.
Who Will Be Most Affected?
– The people who have only SSI benefits will receive two payments in December (December and January) and none in January.
– Individuals that receive both Social Security benefits and SSIs will have three deposits in December but should not anticipate any January SSI payment.
– New SSI recipients and Social Security beneficiaries that have varied schedules will enjoy their normal payment schedule.
Effect of 2026 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA)
– The new 2.8 percent COLA will be added to the early January SSI payment in December.
– The 2025 amount will be reflected in social security retirement and disability payments that would be paid on the regular December schedule and the COLA would begin to be paid in January checks received at the start of 2026.
Preparation of the Changes
– Pre-plan so as to deal with the January 2026 hiatus in SSI payments because no check will be received during the month.
– Check bank accounts regularly to see when to make deposits in December so as not to spend too much.
– Realize that the overall benefits paid out in the two months are accurate and they have not changed, but the schedule of payment has changed.
Summary Table: SSI and Social Security Payment Schedule December 2025 to January 2026
| Date | Beneficiary Type | Payment Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 1, 2025 | SSI only | December SSI | Normal monthly payment |
| December 10/17/24, 2025 | Social Security | Retirement/SSDI | Usual Wednesday payment dates |
| December 31, 2025 | SSI only | January SSI | Early payment due to Jan 1 Holiday |
| January 2026 | SSI only | No payment | January SSI already paid on Dec 31 |
FAQs
Q1: Will I get some additional social security money in December?
No, the additional SSI benefit is your January 2026 benefit that is paid early.
Q2: Why is it not going to pay me an SSI in January?
The federal holidays create January payment in advance to December 31.
Q3: Does this change affect my Social Security retirement?
No, the retirement payments will be done in the normal manner and will not be disrupted.
