Retirement Social Security

December's Social Security Payments Won't Arrive as Usual - Here's Why

Learn why SSI recipients are going to get two payments in December.

By Michelle Smith

Edited by Calista Headrick

Updated Nov. 24, 2025

If you're like most retirees, Social Security benefits make up a good portion of your budget each month. And if you also receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), even more of your budget is riding on monthly benefits. That means a change to your regular payment date can be an anxiety-inducing surprise.

But don't stress too much. This article explains why some SSI recipients will get their January payment at the end of December. We'll also cover when Social Security payments arrive and what to do if your check doesn't come on time.

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Social Security payment dates vary some months

For the most part, Social Security payments arrive on a strict schedule. However, the Social Security Administration (SSA) doesn't process payments on weekends or on federal holidays.

Instead of making you wait, the SSA pays you on the nearest non-holiday weekday before the upcoming weekend or holiday. Ideally, this means you won't find yourself short on the cash you need this month just because the SSA is closed.

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SSI payments for December will be different for some

Around 67 million Americans receive Social Security benefits. Another 4.8 million receive SSI benefits, which are government benefits paid to disabled, blind, and/or elderly residents with extremely limited resources. Additionally, 2.5 million people receive both SSI and Social Security payments.

Beneficiaries who get SSI and Social Security usually receive Social Security benefits on the third day of the month and SSI benefits on the first day of the month. However, Jan. 1 (New Year's Day) is a federal holiday, so those recipients will get January 2026's SSI payment a day early on Dec. 31, 2025.

This means that since December's SSI checks are paid on Dec. 1, 2025, some SSI recipients will be getting two payments within the same month.

When the rest of December payments arrive

While SSI recipients will get two benefit checks this month because of the January holiday, nothing will change for other beneficiaries. Social Security payments are based on the date you were born and break down as follows:

If you were born between the first and 10th days of your birth month, you'll be paid on Wednesday, Dec. 10.
If you were born between the 11th and 20th days of your birth month, you'll be paid on Wednesday, Dec. 17.
If you were born between the 21st and 31st days of your birth month, you'll be paid on Wednesday, Dec. 24.

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What to do if your payment doesn't arrive

Didn't get your benefit on time? Don't resign yourself to a lost payment. Take the following concrete steps to determine what went wrong and recover your money.

Check the holiday/weekend schedule

Check the calendar. It's easy to get dates and deadlines confused, and even if you don't have the day off from work, the SSA might, which could be the reason for your delayed payment.

Additionally, even if the federal government isn't closed for a holiday, your bank might be, especially if your local branches close for state or city holidays. Make sure to check their calendar, too.

Check with your bank

If the bank isn't closed for a holiday, call or visit to ask if they know why your payment hasn't come through yet. An issue on the bank's end could have your Social Security benefit trapped in limbo.

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Make sure your direct deposit information is updated

Log on to your my Social Security account to make sure your bank information is up to date, including your bank name, your routing number, and your account number. Errors can cause delays in payments.

Verify your information is correct in your online Social Security account

While you're logged into my Social Security, double-check that your name, address, and contact information are all up to date. The SSA might not be able to pay you if they aren't.

Contact the SSA

Have you exhausted all your other options? It's finally time to reach out to the SSA directly if you've waited at least three business days.

Representatives should be available over the phone on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. your time. Call 1-800-772-1213 (or call the TTY number, 1-800-325-0778) during those times to get started.

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Other key Social Security updates

Other important info regarding your payments? Every year, the SSA decides whether to increase benefits to account for the cost of living and, if so, how much to raise the benefits by.

This year, the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) is 2.8%. The increase applies to both Social Security and SSI recipients and will kick in on Jan. 1. SSI recipients getting their check on December 31 should see the COLA increase reflected in that benefit.

How much is the average monthly Social Security payment?

According to the most recent data available (August 2025), the average retiree receives $2,008.31 per month.

How to maximize your Social Security benefits

No matter when your Social Security payment arrives, you can take the same steps each month to make the most of it, starting with these:

If you have too much free time on your hands, eliminate some boredom while supplementing your benefits by taking on a small part-time job.
Now that it's getting colder, make sure you aren't overspending on heat. Try turning your thermostat down a degree or two and bundling up in cozy sweaters.
If you're using your benefits to pay off debt, try the snowball method of debt payment. Focus on paying small debts first, then roll the money usually reserved for those smaller payments into your bigger monthly payments.

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Bottom line

The tips above can help you begin maximizing your senior benefits, but those are just starting points. In some cases, a more drastic action — like moving to a state with a much lower cost of living — could be the best way to ensure your Social Security check lasts the month. Take a look at your budget and consider speaking with a retirement planner to start mapping out your next moves.

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