When will Social Security benefits be paid in December 2025? SSI and SSDI deposit schedule

Millions of Americans rely on federal Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits to cover their monthly expenses. As December 2025 approaches, it is crucial to be aware of the deposit schedule, especially as the end-of-year holidays often cause changes to the usual payment dates.

The peculiarity of the month of December 2025 is that a specific group of beneficiaries will see an unusual event: the receipt of three deposits in a single month. It is important to note that this situation is not due to a bonus or a federal stimulus check, but rather to a reorganization of the payment schedule applied by the Social Security Administration (SSA) when the regular payment day coincides with a federal holiday or weekend.

What is the Social Security schedule for December 2025?

Most Social Security beneficiaries, including those receiving retirement or SSDI benefits, receive their payment on a fixed date based on their date of birth, usually on Wednesdays of each month:

• People born between the 1st and 10th of the month: They receive payment on the second Wednesday of the month.
• People born between the 11th and 20th: They receive payment on the third Wednesday of the month.
• People born between the 21st and 31st of the month: They are paid on the fourth Wednesday of the month.

Why are some people receiving three Social Security payments in December?

The appearance of a third check in December is due to an advance payment of SSI for January 2026.

SSI payments are routinely scheduled for the first day of each month. However, SSA regulations state that if the first falls on a weekend or federal holiday, the payment is brought forward to the last business day of the previous month.

Since January 1, 2026, is a federal holiday, the January SSI payment will be deposited on December 31, 2025.

Who will receive three Social Security payments in December?

Only a very specific group of individuals who receive both types of benefits will see three deposits in December:

• You must receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
• You must also receive Social Security retirement, disability, or survivor benefits.
• Your Social Security benefit should be scheduled for the third Wednesday of the month.