The Social Security Administration (SSA) has confirmed the next $967 payment for eligible beneficiaries, scheduled for December 1, 2025. Every month, the SSA disburses millions of payments to retirees, people with disabilities, and those receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
To ensure reliability, these payments follow a structured timetable, with only minor adjustments made during holidays or weekends.
While the SSA rarely deviates from its established payment calendar, advanced payments may occur when scheduled dates coincide with weekends or federal holidays.
How the SSA Distributes Its Monthly Payments
The SSA administers benefits for three main groups — Retirement, Disability, and SSI beneficiaries — covering nearly 75 million Americans each month. Most recipients are retirees, but payment schedules depend on both benefit type and birth date.
Here’s how the standard SSA payment schedule works each month:
| Payment Date | Eligible Beneficiaries |
|---|---|
| Second Wednesday | Birthdays between the 1st–10th |
| Third Wednesday | Birthdays between the 11th–20th |
| Fourth Wednesday | Birthdays between the 21st–31st |
Those receiving SSI-only benefits are always paid on the first of each month. Beneficiaries who collect both SSI and Retirement benefits receive their SSI on the first and Retirement on the third.
Similarly, anyone who began receiving SSA benefits before May 1997 is paid on the third of every month.
When a payment date falls on a weekend or public holiday, the SSA advances payments to the prior business day.
December 2025 Payment: What to Expect
According to the 2025 SSI payment calendar, beneficiaries did not receive a payment on November 1 due to it falling on a weekend. As a result, November payments were issued early — on October 31, resulting in a double payment in October.
The next official SSI payment of $967 is confirmed for December 1, 2025.
SSI benefits are specifically designed for individuals with limited income or financial resources. Unlike Retirement benefits, which are not affected by outside income, SSI eligibility depends on income levels. Therefore, recipients are encouraged to report any changes in income to the SSA to maintain their eligibility status.
Upcoming SSA Changes for Beneficiaries in 2026
The SSA recently announced several updates impacting its beneficiaries:
- As of September 2025, the SSA discontinued paper checks, shifting all payments to direct deposit for enhanced efficiency and security.
- However, exceptions exist for specific groups, including:
- Beneficiaries aged 90 or older
- Those with mental or physical disabilities
- Individuals residing in remote regions with limited banking access
Additionally, the SSA has confirmed a 2.8% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2026, a modest rise from the 2.5% COLA applied in 2025. The COLA adjustment ensures that Social Security benefits maintain their purchasing power amidst inflation.
A smaller COLA signals low inflation, whereas a higher percentage indicates increased cost-of-living expenses.
The December 1, 2025 SSA payment of $967 marks another vital support for millions of Americans relying on Social Security and SSI benefits.
With changes like direct deposit implementation and a COLA increase for 2026, the SSA continues to modernize and adapt to current economic needs while ensuring payments remain timely and secure.
FAQs
Why did SSI beneficiaries receive two payments in October 2025?
Because November 1 fell on a weekend, the SSA advanced November’s SSI payment to October 31, resulting in a double payout that month.
Who qualifies for the $967 December 2025 SSI payment?
This payment applies to SSI recipients who meet income and resource limits set by the SSA. Eligibility may change if income levels increase.
What is the COLA increase for 2026?
The SSA confirmed a 2.8% COLA increase for 2026, ensuring benefits keep pace with inflation and help maintain recipients’ purchasing power.
