3 payments in December: Why Social Security and SSI checks are arriving early before New Year’s Day & who gets a bigger check on December 31

Social Security payments December 2025: Millions of Social Security recipients are about to see an unexpected boost to their bank accounts at the end of December, not due to new legislation but to a simple calendar quirk tied to New Year’s Day.

2026 COLA increase boosts SSI checks starting December 31

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients will receive their January payment early, with checks scheduled to go out on December 31, as per a report. The early payment happens because January 1 is a federal holiday, and SSI payments are always issued ahead of time when the first of the month falls on a weekend or holiday.

SSI recipients to get January payment early due to New Year’s Day holiday

This early check will also reflect the newly announced cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2026. The federal government raised the COLA from 2.5% in 2025 to 2.8% for 2026. As a result, individual SSI recipients will see their monthly benefit rise from $967 to $994, as per The Sun report. Couples receiving SSI will see their payment increase from $1,450 to $1,491.


About 7.5 million people receive SSI benefits, and all of them will see the increased payment arrive a day earlier than usual.

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Some Americans to receive three Social Security-related payments in December

For roughly 2.5 million Americans who receive both SSI and Social Security benefits, December will include three payments: an SSI payment issued on December 1, a regularly scheduled Social Security payment based on their birth date, and the early SSI payment on December 31, as per The Sun report.

February and March SSI payments also arriving ahead of schedule

The calendar-driven shifts won’t stop there. Because February 1 falls on a Sunday, SSI recipients will receive their February payment on January 30. March payments will also arrive early, with SSI checks issued on February 27 since March 1 falls on a Sunday. The next time a similar double-payment situation will occur isn’t until July 2026.

Also read:5 expert-backed ways to start the New Year with less debt, and more breathing room

Social Security benefits rise in 2026 after COLA adjustment

Social Security recipients will also see higher monthly payments in 2026 due to the COLA increase. A worker retiring at full retirement age will receive $4,152 per month, up from $4,018 in 2025. The maximum benefit for those retiring at age 70 increases from $5,108 to $5,251.

How January and February 2026 Social Security payment dates break down

Social Security payments continue to follow the regular Wednesday schedule based on birth dates. In January 2026, recipients born between the 1st and 10th will receive their payment on January 14, those born between the 11th and 20th on January 21, and those born between the 21st and 31st on January 28. SSI payments for January will arrive on January 30.

For February 2026, Social Security payments are scheduled for February 11, February 18, and February 25, again depending on birth date, with SSI payments set for February 27.

FAQs

How much will SSI payments increase in 2026?

Individual SSI benefits rise from $967 to $994, while couples will receive $1,491, up from $1,450.

Why will some people receive three payments in December?

Roughly 2.5 million people who receive both SSI and Social Security will get an SSI payment on December 1, a regular Social Security payment, and an early SSI payment on December 31.