Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients can receive up to $967 on December 1, 2025, as part of the federal maximum benefit for an eligible individual. To qualify for this payment, you must meet strict income, resource, age, and disability rules set by the Social Security Administration (SSA).​
What the $967 SSI Payment Means
For 2025, the federal maximum SSI payment is $967 per month for an eligible individual and $1,450 for an eligible couple. These amounts reflect a 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) over 2024 levels to help benefits keep pace with inflation.​
Not everyone will receive the full $967, because the SSA reduces your payment based on countable income and certain living arrangements. Many beneficiaries receive less than the maximum, with the average SSI payment around $717.84 per month in late 2025.​
Why the Payment Arrives on December 1
SSI is usually paid on the first day of the month, and December 1, 2025, is the scheduled date for the regular December SSI payment. In addition, because January 1, 2026, is a federal holiday, the January SSI payment is advanced to December 31, 2025, resulting in two SSI deposits in December.​
This second payment at the end of December is not extra money; it is simply your January benefit paid early. When budgeting, you need to remember that there will be no SSI deposit on January 1, 2026, because you already received that payment on December 31.​
Basic Eligibility for the $967 SSI Benefit
SSI is a needs-based program for people with very limited income and resources who are age 65 or older, blind, or disabled. It is different from Social Security retirement or SSDI, which are based on work history and payroll tax contributions.​
To qualify, you generally must be a U.S. citizen or certain qualified noncitizen living in the United States, and you must have low countable income and few countable assets. You also must meet SSA’s strict definition of disability if you are under age 65 and applying on the basis of blindness or disability.​
Income and Resource Limits You Must Meet
The SSA uses income limits tied to the Federal Benefit Rate (FBR) to decide whether you qualify and how much you receive. For 2025, the FBR for an individual is $967, and SSI counts many forms of earned and unearned income, but certain amounts and types are excluded.​
Resource limits are also critical: in most cases, you must have countable resources below $2,000 as an individual or $3,000 as a couple, though some assets like your primary home and one vehicle are excluded. Exceeding these limits can reduce your payment or make you ineligible, even if your disability or age would otherwise qualify you.​
Key SSI Amounts for December 2025
| Category | 2025 Amount (Federal) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Max SSI payment – eligible individual | $967 per month ​ | Paid December 1 for December; January payment advanced to Dec 31, 2025 ​ |
| Max SSI payment – eligible couple | $1,450 per month ​ | Couple must both meet SSI eligibility rules ​ |
| Approximate average SSI payment | $717.84 per month ​ | Many recipients receive less than the maximum due to income |
| Resource limit – individual | $2,000 in countable resources ​ | Some assets, like primary home, are excluded |
| Resource limit – couple | $3,000 in countable resources ​ | Applies to married couples living together |
Some states add a small state supplement on top of the federal SSI amount, which can slightly increase what you receive each month. State supplements and personal income situations mean your exact deposit may differ from the federal maximum.​
How Disability and Age Affect Eligibility
Adults and children can qualify for SSI on the basis of disability if they meet SSA’s medical criteria and income and resource rules. The disability must be severe enough to prevent substantial gainful activity and must be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.​
People age 65 or older do not need to prove disability but must still meet the strict financial limits to receive SSI. Blind individuals have special rules, including higher earnings thresholds in some situations, but still must have limited resources.​
Applying and Staying Eligible for SSI
To receive the $967 maximum, you must apply for SSI, complete SSA’s required forms, and provide documentation such as identification, medical records, income proof, and bank statements. Applications can often be started online or by scheduling an appointment with a local Social Security office or by phone.​
After you are approved, the SSA will periodically review your financial situation and medical status to confirm you still meet SSI requirements. Reporting changes in income, resources, living arrangements, or marital status promptly helps avoid overpayments or interruptions in your December 1 and future SSI payments.​
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FAQs
Q1: Will everyone on SSI get $967 on December 1?
No, $967 is the maximum federal amount for individuals, and actual payments are often lower because the SSA subtracts countable income from your benefit.​
Q2: Why are there two SSI payments in December 2025?
There is a regular December payment on December 1 and the January 2026 payment paid early on December 31 due to the New Year’s Day holiday.​
Q3: Can my state increase my SSI payment?
Yes, some states pay a state supplement on top of the federal SSI rate, which can increase your total monthly benefit.​
