Social Security’s December payout dates are set, and you can confirm your exact deposit day by your birth date and benefit type. Recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will receive two deposits in December due to the New Year’s holiday timing, while regular Social Security payments follow the standard Wednesday schedule set by the Social Security Administration (SSA).
Who gets paid when
For most beneficiaries who started receiving Social Security after May 1997, the December payments go out on Wednesdays based on birth date: 1–10 on the second Wednesday (Dec. 10), 11–20 on the third Wednesday (Dec. 17), and 21–31 on the fourth Wednesday (Dec. 24). Those who began benefits before May 1997, or receive both SSI and Social Security, are paid on December 3 for their Social Security benefit. SSI pays on the first business day, which is December 1 in 2025, and an extra early SSI deposit arrives on December 31 for January’s benefit because January 1 is a federal holiday.
December 2025 calendar at a glance
The SSA’s official payment calendar confirms the Wednesday-by-birthday rule and the special schedule for pre-1997 beneficiaries. The structure helps spread deposits across the month and reduces processing bottlenecks for banks and payment systems. Because of the year-end holiday, SSI recipients will see two deposits in December—one for December and one early for January—without any change to the number of monthly checks in the year overall.
Your deposit day rules
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SSI only: December 1 (regular SSI) and December 31 (early January SSI) in 2025. The December 31 payment is simply January’s check paid early due to the holiday.
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Social Security after May 1997: Paid by birth date on Dec. 10 (1–10), Dec. 17 (11–20), or Dec. 24 (21–31).
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Social Security before May 1997 or receiving both SSI and Social Security: Paid December 3 for the Social Security benefit; SSI follows the SSI schedule above if applicable.
December payout table
| Benefit type | Eligibility timing | December 2025 date |
|---|---|---|
| SSI (December benefit) | All SSI recipients | Mon, Dec. 1 |
| Social Security (pre–May 1997 or dual SSI+SS) | Early beneficiaries or dual recipients | Wed, Dec. 3 |
| Social Security (birthdays 1–10) | Post–May 1997 | Wed, Dec. 10 |
| Social Security (birthdays 11–20) | Post–May 1997 | Wed, Dec. 17 |
| Social Security (birthdays 21–31) | Post–May 1997 | Wed, Dec. 24 |
| SSI (January 2026 benefit, paid early) | All SSI recipients | Wed, Dec. 31 |
Why some get two deposits
Two SSI deposits in December occur because January 1 is a federal holiday; the SSA issues January’s SSI on the last business day of December to ensure uninterrupted access to funds. This timing quirk does not increase the number of SSI payments for the year, but it does shift the January SSI into the prior month’s calendar. Banking holidays and weekends can also shift exact posting times, so allow a few days for processing before contacting your bank or the SSA.
How to double‑check your date
Use the SSA’s official payment schedule and your My Social Security account to verify your benefit type, birth date grouping, and deposit history. If your payment does not arrive within three to four business days after the scheduled date, reach out to your financial institution first and then the SSA for follow-up. The My Social Security portal can show your payment history and benefit verification, which is useful for budgeting and confirming future dates.
Budgeting tips for December shifts
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Plan for two SSI deposits in December by earmarking the December 31 payment for January’s expenses rather than treating it as extra cash. This prevents a shortfall when January arrives with no additional SSI deposit.
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Mark the specific Wednesday tied to your birthday for Social Security and set alerts in your banking app to confirm posting, keeping in mind that some banks show pending credits earlier than others.
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Review SSA notices and updates near year-end, especially if expecting COLA changes in the new year impacting your January benefit amount.
Key sources to trust
The most reliable references are the SSA’s official 2025 benefit payment schedule and reputable financial explainers that outline the Wednesday-by-birthdate rule and year-end SSI timing. Cross-checking your personal deposit history through the SSA portal ensures your plan matches your records. When in doubt, official SSA publications and calendars should be your first stop for authoritative dates.
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FAQs
Q1: Why are there two SSI payments in December?
A: Because January 1 is a federal holiday, January’s SSI is paid early on December 31, in addition to the regular December 1 payment.
Q2: How are Social Security (not SSI) dates chosen?
A: They are based on your birth date: second, third, or fourth Wednesday of the month for those who started after May 1997.
Q3: Who gets paid on December 3?
A: People who began receiving Social Security before May 1997 or those who get both SSI and Social Security.
