A 967 dollar Social Security payment on December 1, 2025, is only for people receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) who qualify for the maximum federal benefit, not for everyone on Social Security. SSI recipients will get this regular December payment on December 1 and a second SSI payment on December 31 that covers January 2026.

What the 967 dollar payment really is

The 967 dollars is the maximum federal SSI benefit for an individual in 2025, set by the Social Security Administration as the top monthly amount for someone with virtually no countable income or resources. Only a portion of SSI beneficiaries receive the full 967 dollars because most people have some income or state supplements that change the final figure.

For couples where both spouses qualify, the maximum combined federal amount is 1,450 dollars, again before any state top‑ups are added. The average SSI payment nationwide is closer to around 718 dollars per month, so many people will see a smaller deposit than 967 dollars on December 1.

Who will receive 967 dollars on December 1?

You may receive the full 967 dollars on December 1 if you meet three main conditions: you qualify for SSI (by age or disability), your income is low enough to avoid a benefit reduction, and your countable resources are under the SSI limits. SSI is designed for people who are 65 or older, blind, or disabled, and who have very limited income and assets, such as low bank balances and no significant investments.

Work history does not determine SSI eligibility; it is strictly needs‑based and separate from Social Security retirement or SSDI. If you also receive another Social Security benefit, that payment is counted as income and usually reduces how much SSI you can receive, making it less likely you will get the full 967 dollars.

Full December 2025 Social Security and SSI schedule

December 2025 includes six key payment dates affecting SSI, retirement, survivor, and disability benefits. SSI follows a first‑of‑the‑month pattern, while regular Social Security payments are tied to your birth date or long‑standing “3rd of the month” status.

How SSI eligibility and amounts are calculated

To qualify for SSI at all, individuals generally must have countable resources of 2,000 dollars or less (3,000 dollars for couples), excluding certain items like a primary home, one vehicle, household goods, and some burial funds. Income rules are strict: most cash income counts, though the program ignores small amounts and some in‑kind help up to limited thresholds.

The more countable income you have, the more your SSI payment falls. After some small exclusions, earned income typically reduces SSI by about 50 cents for each additional dollar, and unearned income reduces it dollar‑for‑dollar in many cases. Because of this formula, only people with almost no other income can receive the maximum 967 dollars. Some states add a separate cash supplement, which can push your total above the federal maximum without changing the underlying 967‑dollar base.

Double SSI payment in December—what it means

December 1 brings the regular December SSI payment at 2025 rates, while December 31 brings the January 2026 SSI benefit early because January 1 is a federal holiday. That December 31 payment is calculated using the new 2026 rates, which rise due to a 2.8 percent cost‑of‑living adjustment, lifting the maximum federal SSI to 994 dollars for an individual and 1,491 dollars for an eligible couple.​

This creates two SSI deposits in December but does not provide extra money overall: you are simply getting January’s check a day early instead of on New Year’s Day. SSI recipients who also get Social Security can end up with three payments in December: SSI on December 1, Social Security on their assigned Wednesday (often December 3 or one of the mid‑month dates), and early SSI for January on December 31.​

How to check your own eligibility and amount

If you are unsure whether you will get the 967 dollars on December 1 or a different amount, review your latest SSI award letter or log in to your “my Social Security” account to see your current monthly benefit. The SSA SSI pages and benefit calculators can help you estimate how income or living arrangement changes might affect your December payment.​

For people who think they might qualify but are not yet on SSI, an application can be started online or by scheduling an appointment with a local Social Security office. Because documentation on income, resources, citizenship, and medical disability (when applicable) is required, starting early gives you more time to gather records and clarify questions with SSA staff.

Payment methods and what to do if money is missing

SSA increasingly sends payments electronically, either by direct deposit into a bank or credit union account or via the Direct Express prepaid card for those without bank accounts. Paper checks are rare and may take longer to arrive, especially around holidays.​

If the December 1 or December 31 payment does not show up when expected, SSA recommends checking with your bank first to confirm posting times, then contacting Social Security if the money is still missing after one or two business days. Keeping your address and banking information up to date with SSA is the best way to avoid delays and ensure both December SSI deposits arrive correctly.​

 

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FAQs

Q1: Will every Social Security beneficiary get 967 dollars on December 1?
No. The 967 dollar amount is only the maximum federal SSI benefit for an individual in 2025. Regular Social Security retirement or SSDI beneficiaries are paid on December 3, 10, 17, or 24 instead.​

Q2: Who qualifies for the full 967 dollar SSI payment?
People who are 65 or older, blind, or disabled, with very low income and resources under SSI limits, and whose SSI calculation is not reduced by other income, may receive the full 967 dollars.​

Q3: Why are there two SSI payments in December 2025?
December 1 is the regular December SSI payment, and December 31 is the January 2026 SSI payment sent early because January 1 is a federal holiday.