Millions of Americans are set to receive two separate payments from the Social Security Administration in December 2025. While seeing an extra deposit in your bank account might look like a holiday bonus, it is actually a result of the federal calendar schedule. This scheduling quirk specifically affects those who receive Supplemental Security Income. Understanding why this is happening is essential for budgeting, as it means there will be no payment issued in early January 2026.
Table of Contents
Why Two Payments Are Scheduled for December
The Social Security Administration follows a strict calendar rule regarding payments. Supplemental Security Income, known as SSI, is typically paid on the first day of every month. However, if the first of the month falls on a weekend or a federal holiday, the government issues the payment on the immediately preceding business day to ensure recipients get their money on time.
Because January 1, 2026, is New Year’s Day, it is a federal holiday. Therefore, the payment meant for January cannot be sent on that day. Instead, the administration will send that money one day early. This results in the January funds arriving on December 31, 2025. Consequently, recipients will get their regular December check at the start of the month and their January check at the very end of the month.
Who Qualifies for the Double Deposit
Not every beneficiary will see two checks. This schedule change primarily impacts the 7.4 million people receiving Supplemental Security Income. These individuals are typically older adults with limited income, or adults and children with disabilities or blindness.
If you only receive standard Social Security retirement or disability benefits (SSDI) and do not receive SSI, your schedule will likely remain normal. However, concurrent beneficiaries who receive both SSI and standard Social Security could see up to three deposits in December. They would receive their SSI payment on the 1st, their regular Social Security payment on their assigned Wednesday, and the second SSI payment on the 31st.
Detailed Payment Schedule for December 2025
To help you track when your money will arrive, the following table breaks down the specific dates and who should expect a deposit.
| Payment Date | Recipient Group | Purpose of Payment |
| December 1 | SSI Recipients | Regular benefits for December 2025 |
| December 3 | Retirees before May 1997 or Concurrent Beneficiaries | Regular Social Security for December 2025 |
| December 10 | Social Security (Birthdays 1st to 10th) | Regular Social Security for December 2025 |
| December 17 | Social Security (Birthdays 11th to 20th) | Regular Social Security for December 2025 |
| December 24 | Social Security (Birthdays 21st to 31st) | Regular Social Security for December 2025 |
| December 31 | SSI Recipients | Advance payment for January 2026 |
Impact of the Cost of Living Adjustment
One positive note regarding the second payment on December 31 is that it should reflect the new year’s rates. The Social Security Administration typically applies an annual Cost of Living Adjustment, or COLA, to keep up with inflation.
Since the check arriving on December 31 is technically the payment for January 2026, it will include the 2026 COLA increase. This means the second deposit in December might be slightly larger than the first one. This increase is intended to help beneficiaries manage rising costs for the upcoming year.
Budgeting for the Long Gap in January
The most critical thing to remember is that the money arriving on December 31 is not a bonus. It is your living money for the entire month of January. Because you receive it early, you will not receive another SSI check until February 1.
Households must be careful not to spend the December 31 check on holiday gifts or end of year celebrations. If that money is spent too quickly, recipients could face a difficult financial gap in January with no funds available for rent, utilities, or groceries until February.
Key Takeaways for Beneficiaries
- The double payment is an advance of next month’s money, not a stimulus check.
- Only SSI recipients and concurrent beneficiaries are affected by this specific schedule change.
- The check received on December 31 will count toward the 2026 benefit year.
- You must make the December 31 payment last throughout the entire month of January.
- Resource limits for SSI eligibility remain unchanged, so be mindful of how long you hold the cash in your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the second payment in December a bonus from the government?
- No. The second payment is simply your January 2026 benefit paid a day early because of the New Year’s Day holiday. It is not extra money.
- Will regular Social Security retirees get two checks?
- Most regular retirees will only receive their one scheduled payment in December. This schedule change mostly affects those receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
- Will the second check be for the same amount as the first?
- Likely not. The second check (paid Dec 31) covers January 2026, so it should include the new Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) increase, making it slightly higher than the check paid on December 1.
- Do I need to apply to get this early payment?
- No. The payment is automatic. If you are already receiving SSI benefits via direct deposit or mail, the funds will arrive on the scheduled dates without any action required from you.
- When will I get paid again after December 31?
- After the payment on December 31, SSI recipients will not receive another payment until February 1, 2026. You will need to budget carefully to cover your expenses during January.
