December 2026 is an unusual month for Social Security and SSI recipients: some people will receive two deposits, and the first checks carrying the 3.6% cost-of-living increase arrive before the year ends. Here is the full schedule, based on the Social Security Administration’s published payment calendar.
December 2026 payment dates
| Date | Who is paid |
|---|---|
| Tuesday, Dec. 1 | Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for December |
| Thursday, Dec. 3 | Social Security for people who started benefits before May 1997, and for people who receive both Social Security and SSI |
| Wednesday, Dec. 9 | Social Security, birthdays on the 1st through 10th |
| Wednesday, Dec. 16 | Social Security, birthdays on the 11th through 20th |
| Wednesday, Dec. 23 | Social Security, birthdays on the 21st through 31st |
| Thursday, Dec. 31 | SSI for January 2027 (first payment with the 3.6% COLA), plus the January Social Security payment for the “3rd of the month” group |
Why some people get paid twice on Dec. 31
SSI is normally paid on the 1st of the month, and the pre-1997 Social Security group is paid on the 3rd. In January 2027, the 1st is New Year’s Day, a federal holiday, and the 3rd falls on a Sunday. When a payment date lands on a weekend or holiday, the SSA pays on the closest earlier business day. That pushes both January payments to Thursday, Dec. 31, 2026.
These are not extra payments. They are January’s money arriving early. Anyone who receives both SSI and Social Security on the 3rd will see two deposits on Dec. 31 and then nothing on Jan. 1 or Jan. 3. Budget accordingly, because the next SSI payment after that is Monday, Feb. 1, 2027.
How much the COLA adds
The 3.6% increase applies to all Social Security and SSI benefits. The SSA says the average retired worker’s benefit rises by roughly $75 a month. For SSI, the federal maximum goes from $994 to about $1,030 a month for an individual and from $1,491 to about $1,545 for a couple. The Dec. 31 SSI deposit is the first one at the new rate; Social Security recipients paid on Wednesdays see the raise in their January payments on Jan. 13, 20 or 27, 2027.
Most Medicare enrollees have the Part B premium deducted from the check, so the net raise will be smaller than 3.6% for many people. Our COLA and Medicare Part B explainer walks through the math.
Which Wednesday is yours
If you started receiving Social Security after April 1997 and do not also get SSI, your payment day depends on the birthday of the person whose work record the benefit is based on, not your own birthday if you receive spousal or survivor benefits. First through 10th: second Wednesday. 11th through 20th: third Wednesday. 21st through 31st: fourth Wednesday.
If your payment does not arrive
The SSA asks beneficiaries to wait three additional mailing days after the scheduled date before reporting a missing payment. Direct deposits usually post by the morning of the payment date, but some banks release funds later in the day. If it still has not arrived, contact your bank first, then call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 or check your my Social Security account.
The SSA never calls to demand payment, threaten to suspend benefits or ask for gift cards. Treat any such call or text as a scam.
Sources
- Social Security Administration: Schedule of Social Security Benefit Payments 2027 (PDF)
- Social Security Administration: 2027 cost-of-living adjustment
- Social Security Administration: SSI federal payment amounts
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