Social Security payments go out this week — here’s who gets paid on December 24

Social Security payments for December are being sent out in the third and final wave this week. This payment comes less than one month before a new cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) starts. After December payments, checks will be bigger starting January 2026, due to a 2.8% COLA, the Social Security Administration (SSA) said.

The COLA increase will add about $56 more per month on average to Social Security payments. Along with payment increases, Social Security has also made changes like moving away from paper checks, as reported by USA Today. Most beneficiaries now receive money by direct deposit to a bank account or a Direct Express card.

Social Security payment dates

People born between the 21st and 31st of any month will get their Social Security payment on Wednesday, December 24. If your birthday is from 1 to 10, you get paid on the second Wednesday of the month. If your birthday is from 11 to 20, you get paid on the third Wednesday.


If your birthday is after 20, you get paid on the fourth Wednesday. If your birthday is after the 20th, you are usually paid on the fourth Wednesday. People who started getting Social Security before May 1997 usually receive their payment on the third day of the month, unless it is a weekend or holiday, as noted in the report by USA Today.

SSI payment schedule

People who get both Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) usually receive Social Security on the third day of the month. Those same people receive their SSI payment on the first day of the month. The SSA has released the full 2025 Social Security payment calendar so beneficiaries can track future payments. The SSI payment schedule for late 2025 and early 2026 has also been shared by the SSA.

Beneficiaries are advised to check the SSA calendar to know exactly when their money will arrive, as reported by USA Today.

• Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025 (Check for January 2026)
• Friday, Jan. 30, 2026 (Check for February 2026)
• Friday, Feb. 27, 2026 (Check for March 2026)

FAQs

Q1. Who gets Social Security paid on December 24?

People born between the 21st and 31st of any month will receive their Social Security payment on Wednesday, December 24, according to the SSA.

Q2. Why will Social Security checks be higher in 2026?

Checks will increase in January 2026 because of a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), the Social Security Administration said.