The Social Security Administration is sending out payments on Dec. 1: here’s who gets a check
Nearly 7.5 million beneficiaries are to receive a check from the SSA, in what is the first payment run of December 2025.
More than seven million people across the United States are set to get a benefits check early next week, as the Social Security Administration (SSA) embarks on its schedule of payments for December.
Who’s receiving a payment from Social Security on Dec. 1?
On Monday, Dec. 1, beneficiaries of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program are due to receive their latest monthly check.
This is the first of two SSI payments scheduled to be sent out in December. On Wednesday, Dec. 31, beneficiaries of the scheme are to receive their money for January 2026, 24 hours earlier than they normally would.
Why is January’s SSI check going out early?
SSI checks are typically distributed on the first of each month. However, New Year’s Day is a federal holiday, so January’s payment has been brought forward to the nearest working day.
Who gets SSI benefits?
A scheme that has 7.406 million beneficiaries, per the most recent figures shared by the SSA, SSI is aimed at individuals who have little to no income or resources, and are over-65 or have a disability.
Unlike Social Security programs such as retirement benefits, survivor pay and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), eligibility for SSI does not depend on recipients’ payment of Social Security taxes. It is a needs-based, rather than contribution-based, program.
You’ll find more information about eligibility for the SSI program on the SSA website.
How much money do SSI recipients get per month?
SSI beneficiaries get an average of $717.84 a month, the SSA says. The top SSI amount available to an individual claimant is $967 per month. Eligible couples can claim a joint payment of up to $1,450 a month.
Some SSI recipients are eligible for a supplementary payment from their state. For more information on the states that offer this extra money, take a look at this SSA page.
SSI payments to increase
Along with beneficiaries of the SSA’s retirement, SSDI and survivor programs, SSI recipients are to see a 2.8% rise in their monthly amounts next year.
This increase was confirmed in October, when the SSA announced its latest cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).
SSI recipients will benefit from the 2026 COLA starting with their payment for January. As noted above, this check is scheduled to be distributed on New Year’s Eve.
When are other Social Security checks paid in Dec.?
Most recipients of retirement, survivor and SSDI benefits will get their December money on the month’s second, third or fourth Wednesday, depending on their date of birth:
- Born on 1st-10th of each month: Weds., Dec. 10
- Born on 11th-20th of each month: Weds., Dec. 17
- Born on 21st-31st of each month: Weds., Dec. 24
This three-Wednesdays schedule does not apply to Social Security beneficiaries who began receiving retirement, survivor or SSDI benefits before May 1997.
These long-term beneficiaries are to be paid on Wednesday, Dec. 3, irrespective of their date of birth.
What if you get both SSI and regular Social Security?
If you claim both SSI and any of the SSA’s retirement, SSDI or survivor benefits, you are to be paid the former on Dec. 1 and the latter on Dec. 3.
You can check out the SSA’s full benefits-payment schedule for 2025 in this calendar. The agency has also shared its 2026 distribution schedule on this page.
How does Social Security send out payments?
As the SSA attempts to go fully paperless, the agency now makes almost all payments electronically. Since September 30, the SSA says it has “in most cases” no longer been giving recipients the option of being mailed a paper check.
The agency offers its recipients two ways of receiving electronic payments:
- Direct deposit
Beneficiaries can be paid by direct deposit, by supplying the SSA with their bank details. You can provide this information on the “my Social Security” online portal.
- Direct Express
Recipients can also pick up their benefits on the Direct Express Card, a special debit card for federal payments made to people without a bank account.
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