Key Highlights
- Social Security recipients will receive their payments on specific dates in December.
- SSI recipients will get two payments due to a federal holiday.
- The Social Security Administration sends regular monthly payments, but the date varies based on birth date or when benefits began.
Social Security Payment Schedule for December 2025: Key Dates and Details
As we approach the final month of 2025, Social Security recipients can look forward to receiving their payments on specific dates. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has outlined the payment schedule for December, ensuring beneficiaries know exactly when they will see their funds.
Regular Monthly Payments
The SSA sends regular monthly payments, but the exact date varies depending on birth date or when you began receiving benefits. This month, beneficiaries can expect to receive their checks on the following dates:
- Social Security retirement, disability, and survivor (RSDI) beneficiaries who filed claims after May 1, 1997, are assigned either the second, third, or fourth Wednesday of the month. These dates for December are: Dec. 3 (Second Wednesday), Dec. 17 (Third Wednesday), and Dec. 24 (Fourth Wednesday).
- SSI recipients will receive two payments this month, on Dec. 1 and Dec. 31, because Jan. 1 is a federal holiday.
Timeline for SSA Beneficiaries
The timeline for SSA beneficiaries in December is as follows:
- For those who started getting benefits before May 1997: Wednesday, Dec. 3
- Birthday between the 1st and 10th of the month: Dec. 10 (Second Wednesday of the month)
- Birthday between the 11th and 20th of the month: Dec. 17 (Third Wednesday of the month)
- Birthday between the 21st and 31st of the month: Dec. 24 (Fourth Wednesday of the month)
SSI Payment Schedule for December 2025
In December, SSI payments will be dispersed twice – on Dec. 1 and Dec. 31 – since Jan. 1 is a holiday. Therefore, January’s payment will be issued on the previous weekday in December.
Did Social Security Stop During the Government Shutdown?
No, social security benefits continued to pay during the government shutdown as the money comes from permanent spending that’s already been approved. This ensures that beneficiaries can rely on their regular payments regardless of political disruptions.
What to Do If You Miss a Payment
If you do not receive your electronic payment on the scheduled date, the Social Security Administration advises contacting your bank or financial institution first – it may be experiencing a delay in posting your payment. However, if no resolution is found, you can call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to report a late, missing, or stolen Social Security payment.
Recipients should always be prepared for the possibility of delays, but rest assured that the SSA is dedicated to ensuring timely and accurate payments to its millions of beneficiaries each month.
The information provided here is based on data from the Social Security Administration website, previous reporting by FOX Local and The Associated Press. For more detailed inquiries or specific circumstances, you may contact your local Social Security office for personalized assistance.
