December Social Security and SSI payments: Dates, double checks and the 2026 COLA increase

Around 74 million Americans rely on Social Security benefits, and another seven million on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to help cover their monthly expenses. As the holiday season approaches, the payment schedule is particularly relevant for retirees, people with disabilities, and low-income households. December is also a month with several exceptions to the usual payment schedule, and this year, many beneficiaries will receive two payments due to the distribution of federal holidays.

Here’s everything you need to know about Social Security and SSI payment dates for December and early 2026.

Who is eligible for Social Security payments?

In order to be eligible for Social Security retirement benefits, individuals must generally meet the following criteria:

• Be at least 62 years old.
• Have contributed to Social Security for at least 10 years, which is determined by a credit system.
• Some individuals may be eligible for these benefits due to disability, the death of a spouse or family member, or other family-related reasons.

Full retirement age ranges from 66 to 67. Those who continue to work after age 62 may have part of their benefits withheld if their earnings exceed the annual limit before reaching full retirement age. Creating an online account on the Social Security website allows users to check their eligibility and the estimated amount of their benefits based on their age at application.

When is Social Security paid in December 2025?

Most Social Security payments follow a simple rule: they are issued on Wednesdays, and the exact date depends on the beneficiary’s birthday. This schedule applies during the month of December this year:

• December 10: Birthdays from the 1st to the 10th
• December 17: Birthdays from the 11th to the 20th
• December 24: Birthdays from the 21st to the 31st

There is only one major exception. Those who began receiving their benefits before 1997 are paid on a fixed date each month, rather than according to their birthdays. That group receives their payment on December 3.

Two payments for SSI recipients

SSI benefits are issued independently of Social Security payments. They are intended for people over 65, individuals who are blind or disabled (including children), with limited income and resources.

SSI is usually paid on the first day of each month, but when that date falls on a weekend or federal holiday, it is moved to the previous business day. Because January 1 is a federal holiday, the January SSI payment will be deposited on December 31, so beneficiaries will receive two checks this month, as follows.

• December 1: Regular December SSI payment
• December 31: Early January payment

This is not a bonus or additional benefit, it simply occurs due to the date adjustment. Something similar will happen in 2026 in January, February, July, August, October, and December.

How much will COLA increase in 2026?

The December payments are the last checks before the 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) takes effect in 2026. Starting with the SSI advance payment on December 31, beneficiaries will see their first increased amount.

For the average retiree, this COLA equates to approximately $56 more per month. The increase applies to all programs administered by the SSA, including retirement, disability, and SSI.

SSI payment dates for January 2026

The regular Wednesday schedule continues into the new year:

• January 14: Birthdays from the 1st to the 10th
• January 21: Birthdays from the 11th to the 20th
• January 28: Birthdays from the 21st to the 31st

Those who began receiving benefits before May 1997 will receive their January 2026 Social Security check on January 2.

If the scheduled payment date has passed and a person has not yet received their check, the Social Security Administration recommends waiting three business days before contacting them.

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