The Social Security Administration (SSA) is set to make a special Christmas Eve payment to certain beneficiaries across the United States on December 24th. This marks the SSA's final disbursement of 2025 benefits, with one last set of payments to be made before the year ends.
Who's Getting Paid on Christmas Eve?
On December 24th, payments will be issued to a specific group of recipients of retirement benefits, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), and survivor pay. Most beneficiaries receive their money on the second, third, or fourth Wednesday of each month, determined by the worker's date of birth.
For December, the payment schedule is as follows:
- Born on 1st-10th of each month: Wednesday, December 10
- Born on 11th-20th of each month: Wednesday, December 17
- Born on 21st-31st of each month: Wednesday, December 24
Exclusions from the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th Wednesday Payments:
Certain long-term Social Security recipients: Those who began receiving retirement, SSDI, or survivor benefits before May 1997 typically receive their checks on the third day of each month, regardless of their birthdate. For December, these beneficiaries were scheduled to be paid on Wednesday, December 3.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries: SSI recipients, who are low-income individuals over 65 or with disabilities, are normally paid on the first day of each month. December's SSI payments were due on Monday, December 1, but January 2026's SSI checks will be paid on December 31, as New Year's Day is a federal holiday.
Dual beneficiaries (SSI + regular Social Security): Around 2.5 million Americans receive both SSI and SSA benefits. In December, they were scheduled to receive SSI on Monday, December 1, followed by SSA benefits on Wednesday, December 3, and the third payment on December 31.
Payment Amounts for Social Security Benefits:
Retired workers: The average monthly payment is $2,013.32, with a maximum retirement benefit of $5,108 per month.
SSDI, survivor, and SSI beneficiaries: Disabled workers receive an average of $1,588.52 monthly, while survivor benefits average $1,576.20. SSI beneficiaries get an average of $717.90 per month.
COLA Benefits Increase in 2026:
The SSA has confirmed a 2.8% increase in benefits for 2026, part of the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). The first recipients of the new increased payments will be SSI beneficiaries, with January's SSI money being sent out on December 31.
For the complete 2026 benefits-distribution schedule, visit the SSA's online calendar.
