Social Security benefits due out on Jan. 2: here’s who gets a payment
In the opening days of January, the Social Security Administration is to make its first payment run in 2026.
In the U.S. this Friday, some recipients of Social Security benefits are to be issued their first monthly payment of the new year, as the Social Security Administration (SSA) embarks on its 2026 distribution schedule.
Jan. 2’s payment date, which benefits two groups of Social Security recipients, comes slightly earlier than usual. It would usually fall 24 hours later, but has been brought forward as Jan. 3 is not a working day.
Who’s getting a check from Social Security on Friday, Jan. 2?
- Certain long-term beneficiaries
The SSA is to send out payments to a particular group of long-standing Social Security recipients: those who signed up for retirement benefits, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or survivor pay before May 1997.
- Beneficiaries who also receive SSI
Jan. 2 is also your payment date for retirement, SSDI or survivor checks if you combine any of these benefits with Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - a scheme for low-income, low-resource Americans who are over 65 or have a disability. (January’s SSI money is to go out three days earlier, on Dec. 31.)
How much is paid per month to retirement, SSDI and survivor recipients?
As of November 2025 - the most recent monthly figures published by the SSA - retired workers were paid an average of $2,013.32 per month; disabled workers got a monthly average of $1,588.52; and recipients of survivor benefits were issued an average of $1,576.20 a month.
From January, however, benefit amounts are to increase. In October, the SSA confirmed that recipients are to get a 2.8% rise in their monthly checks, as part of the agency’s annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).
For recipients of retirement benefits - who account for most of the U.S.’s Social Security beneficiaries - this means an average increase of $56 per month, the SSA says. For more information on 2026’s adjusted benefit amounts, check out this COLA fact sheet shared by the agency.
When do other Social Security recipients get their January 2026 benefits?
If they’re not among those paid on Jan. 2, recipients of retirement, SSDI or survivor benefits are to be paid on the second, third or fourth Wednesday in January.
A beneficiary’s designated Wednesday depends on the date of birth of the worker whose Social Security taxes have accumulated the benefits entitlement:
- Born on 1st to 10th of month: Weds., Jan. 14
- Born on 11th to 20th of month: Weds., Jan. 21
- Born on 21st to 31st of month: Weds., Jan. 28
Because January begins on a Thursday, the month’s three Wednesday-payment dates come at their latest possible point.
You can take a look at the SSA’s complete schedule of payments for 2026 in this online calendar.
How does Social Security issue payments?
The SSA says it is “in most cases” no longer distributing benefits in paper-check format. Instead, the agency offers beneficiaries two ways of receiving electronic payments:
- Direct deposit
By supplying the SSA with their bank details, beneficiaries can be paid by direct deposit. Recipients of retirement, SSDI and survivor benefits can update their bank-account info on the online “my Social Security” portal.
- Direct Express Card
Beneficiaries can also have their payments loaded onto the Direct Express Card, a special debit card for federal disbursements made to people who do not have a bank account. You can sign up for the card by calling 1-800-333-1795 or visiting the Direct Express website.
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