A $967 payment scheduled for Monday, December 1, 2025, refers to the maximum monthly federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefit for an individual, not a special bonus or one‑time Social Security retirement check. It will go to eligible SSI recipients as their regular December benefit, with a second SSI payment on December 31 covering January 2026 because of the New Year’s Day holiday.
What the 967 dollar payment is
The Social Security Administration (SSA) pays SSI, a needs‑based benefit for people with low income and limited resources who are 65 or older, blind, or disabled. For 2025, the maximum federal SSI benefit is 967 dollars per month for an eligible individual and 1,450 dollars for an eligible couple, though the average check is lower.
That means only those who qualify for the full federal amount will see a 967 dollar deposit on December 1; many recipients will get less depending on their income, living situation, and any state supplements. Some states add extra money on top of the federal SSI payment, which can raise the total above 967 dollars for residents in those states.
Who is eligible for the 967 dollar payment?
To potentially receive the maximum 967 dollars, a person must meet SSI rules for age or disability and have very limited income and assets, usually no more than 2,000 dollars in countable resources for a single person. Couples have a higher resource limit, and their maximum combined federal payment is 1,450 dollars when both spouses qualify.
Eligibility for SSI does not depend on work history or having paid Social Security payroll taxes; it is strictly a needs‑based safety‑net program. People receiving both SSI and regular Social Security benefits may see their SSI amount reduced because the Social Security payment counts as income in the SSI calculation.
Why the payment arrives on December 1
SSI is normally paid on the first day of each month, so the December 1, 2025 deposit is simply the standard December benefit arriving on schedule. Because January 1, 2026 is a federal holiday, SSA will send the January 2026 SSI payment early, on Wednesday, December 31, giving SSI recipients two payments in December but none on January 1.
This timing shift does not mean extra money overall; it just moves the January payment into the prior calendar year so recipients have funds available at the start of the new year. The same pattern happens whenever the regular SSI payday would fall on a weekend or federal holiday.
Key SSI amounts in late 2025 and 2026
| Year / month covered | Max federal SSI for individual | Max federal SSI for couple | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 2025 (paid Dec. 1) | 967 dollars | 1,450 dollars | Current 2025 federal benefit rates. |
| January 2026 (paid Dec. 31) | 994 dollars | 1,491 dollars | Reflects 2.8% COLA for 2026. |
From January 2026, the maximum federal SSI benefit rises to 994 dollars for individuals and 1,491 dollars for eligible couples because of the 2.8% cost‑of‑living adjustment. That higher figure will first appear in bank accounts in the December 31, 2025 SSI payment, even though it is counted as January 2026 income.
How the money is paid
SSA now issues nearly all SSI and Social Security payments electronically, either by direct deposit to a bank or credit union account or via the Direct Express prepaid debit card for those without bank accounts. Paper checks are rare and generally limited to specific exception cases.
Recipients can review or update their direct deposit information through their online “my Social Security” account or by contacting SSA if they suspect a missing or misdirected payment. Keeping bank details and mailing addresses current helps avoid delays, especially around holidays when payment dates can shift.
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FAQs
Q1: Who will get the 967 dollar payment on December 1?
Eligible SSI recipients who qualify for the maximum 2025 federal benefit for an individual may receive up to 967 dollars, though many get less based on income and living arrangements.
Q2: Is the 967 dollars a bonus or extra check?
No, it is the regular December 2025 SSI benefit, not a special or one‑time bonus payment.
Q3: Why will SSI recipients also get money on December 31?
The December 31 deposit is the early payment of the January 2026 SSI benefit because January 1 is a federal holiday, so SSA pays on the prior business day.
