Millions of Americans who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will receive two federal payments in December, as a result of the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) payment calendar and the timing of federal holidays.
The second payment—scheduled for December 31—is not a bonus or extra benefit but instead the regularly scheduled January 2026 payment issued early due to New Year’s Day being a federal holiday.
Why It Matters
Approximately 75 million Americans rely on Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for essential financial support, making the program one of the nation’s most critical safety nets.
The shift in payments comes alongside a 2.8 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) taking effect for 2026, designed to help seniors and people with disabilities keep up with inflation. Understanding these changes allows beneficiaries to plan ahead and avoid confusion about their benefits timeline.
What To Know
The SSA issues payments to millions of Americans each month, but the timing can vary depending on the recipient’s specific program and primary eligibility. For December 2025, the payment schedule is as follows:
- Monday, December 1: SSI payments for December
- Wednesday, December 3: Social Security payments for those who also receive SSI
- Wednesday, December 10: Social Security payments for people born between the 1st and 10th
- Wednesday, December 17: Payments for those born between the 11th and 20th
- Wednesday, December 24: Payments for those born between the 21st and 31st
- Wednesday, December 31: SSI payment for January 2026, paid early due to the federal holiday on January 1
This means SSI recipients will see two payments in December 2025—one for December (on December. 1) and one for January (on December 31).
“When the first day of the month falls on the weekend or a federal holiday, you receive your SSI payment on the last business day before the first day of the month. That means you may get two SSI payments in the same month,” the Social Security Administration said in a 2022 blog post. “We do this to avoid putting you at a financial disadvantage and make sure that you don’t have to wait beyond the first of the month to get your payment. It does not mean that you are receiving a duplicate payment in the previous month, so you do not need to contact us to report the second payment.”
For 2026, the maximum federal SSI payment amounts will rise to $994 for an eligible individual, $1,491 for an eligible couple, and $498 for an essential person, reflecting the 2.8 percent COLA.
Social Security Payments vs. SSI Payments
Social Security and SSI are two distinct programs with different purposes and eligibility requirements. Social Security provides benefits primarily to retired workers, disabled individuals, and survivors of deceased workers who have paid into the system through payroll taxes. It is an earned benefit based on work history and contributions.
In contrast, SSI is a needs-based program designed to assist people who are aged, blind, or disabled and have very limited income and resources, regardless of their work history. SSI payments are funded by general tax revenues, not Social Security taxes, and are typically smaller than Social Security benefits. Essentially, Social Security is tied to employment and contributions, while SSI serves as a safety net for those in financial need.
SSI Schedule 2026: Early Payments
- Friday, January 30: SSI payment for February 2026, paid early because February 1 falls on a Sunday
- Friday, February 27: SSI payment for March 2026, paid early because March 1 falls on a Sunday
- Friday, July 31: SSI payment for August 2026, paid early because August 1 falls on a Saturday
- Friday, October 30: SSI payment for November 2026, paid early because November 1 falls on a Sunday
- Thursday, December 31: SSI payment for January 2027, paid early due to the federal holiday on January 1
What People Are Saying
Social Security Administration Commissioner Frank J. Bisignano commented on the annual increase: “Social Security is a promise kept, and the annual cost-of-living adjustment is one way we are working to make sure benefits reflect today’s economic realities and continue to provide a foundation of security. The cost-of-living adjustment is a vital part of how Social Security delivers on its mission.”
What Happens Next
The Social Security Administration will mail and electronically deliver personalized notices in December detailing the new COLA-adjusted benefit amounts effective for January 2026. Those who have a my Social Security account can access these notices online and are encouraged to opt into electronic messaging for faster updates.