Social Security payments for December will follow the standard schedule, marking the last distribution before an anticipated cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) takes effect in January 2026.
Most Social Security benefits are paid on Wednesdays, and the timing of each recipient’s payment is determined by their birth date. Beneficiaries whose birthdays are between the 1st and 10th will receive their payments on the second Wednesday of the month, which falls on December 10 this year. Those born between the 11th and 20th will receive their payments on December 17, and individuals with birthdays from the 21st through the 31st will be issued payments on December 24. It’s important to note that recipients who began collecting benefits before May 1997 will receive their checks earlier on December 3.
Starting January 2026, beneficiaries can expect to see their monthly payments increase by approximately $56 on average, due to a 2.8% COLA increase. This adjustment aims to help recipients better cope with rising living costs.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has also made information about the payment schedules for both December 2025 and January 2026 available online, allowing individuals to plan their finances accordingly. The January payment schedule mirrors that of December: payments for those born between the 1st and 10th will be made on January 14, those born between the 11th and 20th will receive payments on January 21, and payments for those with birthdays from the 21st to the end of the month will be issued on January 28.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients will see their payments on different schedules. SSI checks are typically issued on the first business day of each month; thus, the payment for December 2025 will be on December 1. However, because New Year’s Day falls on January 1, 2026, SSI payments will be preemptively distributed on December 31, 2025. Following this, SSI payments will be released on:
– January 30, 2026 (for February 2026)
– February 27, 2026 (for March 2026)
– April 1, 2026 (for April 2026)
– May 1, 2026 (for May 2026)
– June 1, 2026 (for June 2026)
The Supplemental Security Income program is designed to support individuals with limited income or resources, specifically targeting those over 65, the blind, and individuals with qualifying disabilities. Children with certain disabilities may also qualify for SSI. Generally, to be eligible for SSI, adults should not have monthly earnings exceeding $2,019.
For those who believe they may qualify for SSI, the application process is straightforward and can be completed online, in person at a local Social Security office, or by calling the SSA directly.
