Social Security Payment Schedule for December 2025 and January 2026
In December, Social Security payments will follow the usual schedule, marking the last disbursement before upcoming cost-of-living adjustments take place.
Generally, Social Security benefits, primarily catering to the elderly or retired individuals, are issued on Wednesdays. If your birthday falls between the 1st and 10th of the month, you can expect your payment on the second Wednesday, which this month would be December 10th.
Beneficiaries born between the 11th and 20th will receive their payments on the third Wednesday (December 17th), while those born after the 20th will get theirs on the fourth Wednesday (December 24th). It’s worth noting that if you started receiving benefits before May 1997, your payment will arrive on December 3rd.
Beginning in January 2026, recipients can anticipate larger checks due to a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) increase. This adjustment is projected to raise monthly payments by about $56, translating to a positive shift for many.
Payment Schedule Overview
The Social Security Administration has laid out the payment calendar for beneficiaries, which can be helpful for budgeting. Here’s a breakdown:
- Wednesday, December 10th: Birthdays from the 1st to the 10th of the month.
- Wednesday, December 17th: Birthdays between the 11th and 20th.
- Wednesday, December 24th: Birthdays from the 21st to the 31st.
For January 2026, payments will continue on the same regular schedule:
- Wednesday, January 14th: Birthdays from the 1st to the 10th.
- Wednesday, January 21st: Birthdays between the 11th and 20th.
- Wednesday, January 28th: Birthdays from the 21st to the 31st.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Payment Schedule
For those receiving Supplemental Security Income checks, payments will typically be issued on the first business day of December, which is Monday, December 1st this year. However, since January 1, 2026, falls on a holiday, January payouts will be made on Wednesday, December 31, 2025. Here’s the scheduled timeline through early 2026:
- Monday, December 1, 2025
- Wednesday, December 31, 2025
- Friday, January 30, 2026
- Friday, February 27, 2026
- Wednesday, April 1, 2026
- Friday, May 1, 2026
- Monday, June 1, 2026
Understanding SSI
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) provides benefits to individuals aged 65 and older with limited income or resources, as well as those who are blind or have specific disabilities. Interestingly, children with qualifying disabilities can also benefit from this program. The SSA indicates that typically, adults receiving SSI do not earn more than $2,019 monthly.
If you believe you meet the criteria for SSI, you can initiate the application process online or by contacting your local Social Security office.
