Social Security payouts in December 2025 will follow a structured schedule with six different payment dates spread across the month, accommodating all types of beneficiaries including Supplemental Security Income (SSI), retirement, survivors, and disability benefits. A key new update this year is that many SSI recipients will receive two payments in December due to the early release of the January 2026 SSI benefit, reflecting the federal holiday on January 1.
December 2025 Payout Dates
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December 1 (Monday): Regular SSI payment for all SSI recipients.
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December 3 (Wednesday): Social Security payments for those who receive both SSI and Social Security or who started benefits before May 1997.
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December 10 (Wednesday): Social Security retirement, survivors, and disability benefits for those born between the 1st and 10th of the month.
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December 17 (Wednesday): Payments for beneficiaries born between the 11th and 20th.
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December 24 (Wednesday): Payments for those born between the 21st and 31st.
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December 31 (Wednesday): Early paid January 2026 SSI benefit (first time recipients see the new cost-of-living adjustment reflected).
Who Gets Paid When?
| Date | Beneficiary Groups |
|---|---|
| Dec. 1 | All SSI beneficiaries |
| Dec. 3 | SSI + Social Security recipients, pre-May 1997 filers |
| Dec. 10 | Social Security birthdates 1st–10th |
| Dec. 17 | Social Security birthdates 11th–20th |
| Dec. 24 | Social Security birthdates 21st–31st |
| Dec. 31 | Early January SSI payment |
What’s New This December?
The major new aspect is the early payment of the January 2026 SSI benefit on December 31 due to the New Year’s Day federal holiday. SSI recipients will therefore receive two deposits in December, one for December and one for January, though no SSI payment will be made in January 2026 itself. This is the first time the COLA increase for SSI is reflected before the standard January Social Security checks arrive.
Beneficiaries who receive both Social Security and SSI could end up with three payments in December: SSI on December 1, Social Security on their scheduled Wednesday, and January’s SSI on December 31.
How to Confirm Your Payment Date
Recipients should check their mySocialSecurity account or contact the SSA if unsure about their payment date. Direct deposit is recommended for timely receipt, while paper checks may be delayed due to the holiday season mail volume.
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FAQs
Q1: Why will some SSI recipients get two payments in December?
Because January’s SSI payment will be made early on December 31, no payment will be made in January.
Q2: Are the December Social Security payments adjusted for COLA?
Only the early January SSI payment on December 31 includes the 2026 COLA; December Social Security payments do not.
Q3: How is the Social Security payment schedule determined in December?
Regular Social Security payments are made on Wednesdays based on beneficiaries’ birthdate groups: 1st–10th, 11th–20th, or 21st–31st of the month.
These changes ensure smoother benefit delivery during the holidays and prepare recipients for the new year’s cost-of-living adjustments.
