With the end of the month of December 2025, a peculiar tendency in the amounts deposited in banks is becoming increasingly evident in the deposits of the millions of Social Security beneficiaries. There are reports of the so-called double payments and they have excited as well as confused seniors and people with disabilities. It should be noted that it is not a surprise holiday bonus or a new stimulus check on the part of the government. Rather, the fact of the double payment is due to the normal policy of Social Security Administration (SSA) on its schedule of federal holidays. Since January 1, 2026, is a holiday, the SSA must make the initial payment of the new year one day earlier, which will put it in the end of December.
Who Is eligible to receive the Second Check?
The population of two payment recipients in this month involves mostly the recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI). This group of beneficiaries can normally get their funds at the beginning of each month. Because the first day of January is a federal holiday, and the banks are closed down, the SSA will bring the January payment to the first business day before it, which will be Wednesday, December 31, 2025. Also, those who get both SSI and regular Social Security (RSDI) can get several deposits this month should they abide by the pre-1997 payment schedule where they got their ordinary monthly compensation on December 3.
What Will be the Second Payment?
The check that will be received in December 31, especially, is of importance, as it is the first to incorporate the 2026 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA). The SSA has officially declared that it is increasing it by 2.8 percent in the 2026 calendar year. To the specific recipient of SSI, the maximum federal monthly payment will increase by no less than $1, not to mention that the monthly payment in this second December deposit will be about 967. Although this increase is a long-term change to take care of inflation, one should keep in mind that this particular check will be used to meet your bills in January, not to be additional vacation money.
The Standard December Paying Schedule
In the case of recipients of regular Social Security retirement benefits, survivor (SSDI) benefits, the schedule is still dependent on your date of birth. These payments are not doubled this month like SSI except in the case of a dual beneficiary. The normal waves of December are as under:
- Birthdays 1 st -10 th: Pay on Wednesday, December 10.
- Birthdays 11 th -20 th: Paid on Wednesday, 17 December.
- Birthdays 21 st -31 st: Payed on Wednesday, December 24.
The majority of these retirees will not receive their 2.8% COLA until they will get their first scheduled Wednesday payment in January 2026.
January Gap budgeting.
Two deposits in a month may be a relief in the meantime, but financial experts could warn of the so-called January Gap. Since the January 2026 benefit will be paid during the month of December 31, no money will be paid under the real month of January. It implies that the recipients need their funds on December 31 to last until the next payment on January 30, 2026 (the next benefit will be in February). The second December check should be considered a bonus, thus excessive financial power in the new year can result in serious financial pressure so it should be heavily budgeted.
December 2025 Payments Schedule Overview
| Group | 1st December Date | 2nd December Date | Purpose of 2nd Check |
| SSI Recipients | Dec 1, 2025 | Dec 31, 2025 | Advance January 2026 Pay |
| Dual Beneficiaries | Dec 1 & Dec 3 | N/A | Regular Monthly Benefit |
| Standard Retirees | Birthdate-based | N/A | Regular Monthly Benefit |
| SSDI Recipients | Birthdate-based | N/A | Regular Monthly Benefit |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Did the second check on December 31 represent an additional bonus?
No. The reason it is being sent a day early is because New Year Day is a federal holiday and it is your January 2026 payment. It will be another SSI check that you will not get this month of January.
Q2: Does the 2.8% COLA apply on the December 31 pay?
Yes. The fact that December 31 payment is technically January 2026 makes it the first check to contain the new 2026 cost-of-living adjustment.
Q3: I receive regular Social Security, why was I not receiving a second check?
Early shift of payment of holidays has a large impact on SSI. Regular Social Security (Retirement/SSDI) has a Wednesday schedule which is not disrupted by the January 1 holiday this year.
Disclaimer
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