Social Security is sending out payments on Monday, Dec. 1: here’s who’s getting a check
On the opening day of December, millions of beneficiaries are to receive a payment from the U.S.’s Social Security Administration.
Nearly 7.5 million people in the U.S. are to receive a benefits check at the beginning of next week, as the Social Security Administration (SAA) kicks off its payments schedule for December 2025.
Who’s getting a check from Social Security on Dec. 1?
On Monday, December 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 go out in December. On Wednesday 31st, beneficiaries of the scheme are set to receive their money for January 2026, 24 hours earlier than they normally would.
SSI checks are typically distributed on the first of each month - but as New Year’s Day is a federal holiday, January’s payment is to be brought forward to the nearest working day.
Who receives SSI benefits?
A program that has 7.406 million beneficiaries across the U.S., according to 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 schemes 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.
Find out more about SSI eligibility on the SSA website.
How much do SSI beneficiaries receive per month?
SSI beneficiaries receive a monthly average of $717.84, the SSA says. The maximum SSI amount available to an individual claimant is $967 per month. Eligible couples can get up to $1,450 a month.
Some SSI beneficiaries get an supplementary payment from their state. You can get more information on the states that offer this extra money on this SSA page.
SSI checks to go up in 2026
Along with beneficiaries of the SSA’s retirement, SSDI and survivor programs, recipients of SSI benefits are to see their monthly checks go up by 2.8% next year.
This increase was confirmed in late October, when the SSA announced its latest cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).
SSI recipients will benefit from the COLA beginning with their payment for January 2026. As noted earlier in this article, this check is due to be issued on New Year’s Eve.
Have a question about your Social Security benefits or Social Security card? Browse our frequently asked questions: https://t.co/0kQ4aH3Yu0 pic.twitter.com/NpYuYfAm8z
— Social Security (@SocialSecurity) November 4, 2025
When are other December Social Security checks to be paid?
Most recipients of retirement, survivor and SSDI benefits will get next month’s money on one of three Wednesdays in December, 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
The three-Wednesdays schedule does not apply to any Social Security recipients who started claiming retirement, survivor or SSDI benefits before May 1997.
These long-term beneficiaries are to be paid on Wednesday, December 3, regardless of their date of birth.
What happens if you claim both SSI and regular Social Security?
If you receive both SSI and any of the retirement, SSDI or survivor benefits, you are to be paid the former on December 1 and the latter on December 3.
You can take a look the SSA’s complete benefits-payment schedule for 2025 in this calendar. The agency has also published its distribution schedule for 2026 on this page.
How does Social Security send out payments?
As the SSA bids to go full 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.
There are two ways that the SSA’s beneficiaries can receive their electronic payments:
- By direct deposit
Beneficiaries can get their money by direct deposit, by providing the agency with their bank details. You can supply this information on the online “my Social Security” portal.
- On a special debit card
Recipients can also have their benefits paid onto the Direct Express Card, a debit card for federal payments made to people who do not have a bank account.
Related stories
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.
Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
Complete your personal details to comment