If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you’ll get two payments in December 2026. One arrives on Tuesday, December 1. The second arrives on Thursday, December 31. The second one isn’t a bonus. It’s your January 2027 payment, sent early because January 1 is a federal holiday.
SSI payment dates: December 2026 and January 2027
| Payment for | Paid on | Maximum federal amount |
|---|---|---|
| December 2026 | Tuesday, December 1, 2026 | $994 individual / $1,491 couple |
| January 2027 | Thursday, December 31, 2026 | $1,029 individual / $1,544 couple |
| February 2027 | Monday, February 1, 2027 | $1,029 individual / $1,544 couple |
Important: because January’s money arrives on December 31, there’s no SSI payment during January 2027. Budget the December 31 payment to last until February 1.
Why does SSI pay early?
SSI is normally paid on the 1st of each month. When the 1st falls on a weekend or federal holiday, the Social Security Administration (SSA) pays on the business day before. January 1, 2027 is New Year’s Day, a Friday holiday, so the January payment moves back to Thursday, December 31, 2026.
This isn’t extra money. Over a year you still get 12 SSI payments.
Is the December 31 payment bigger?
Yes. It’s the first payment that includes the 3.6% cost-of-living adjustment for 2027. The maximum federal SSI payment rises from $994 to $1,029 for an individual and from $1,491 to $1,544 for an eligible couple. Your own amount may be lower if you have other income, and higher if your state adds a supplement. More detail: SSI payment amount 2027.
Other payments landing on December 31, 2026
- Social Security “3rd of the month” payments for January: paid December 31 for people who started benefits before May 1997 or who get both Social Security and SSI.
- VA disability compensation for December: also paid December 31. See VA disability pay dates 2027.
Most other Social Security recipients are paid on a Wednesday based on their birthday. See the January 2027 Social Security payment schedule.
Which other months in 2027 have two SSI payments?
Because of weekends and holidays, SSI arrives early several times in 2027:
- April 2027: April 1 and April 30 (May’s payment, since May 1 is a Saturday)
- July 2027: July 1 and July 30 (August’s payment, since August 1 is a Sunday)
- December 2027: December 1 and late December (January 2028’s payment, since January 1, 2028 is a Saturday)
That means no SSI deposit in January, May or August 2027. Full calendar: SSI payment schedule 2027.
What if my payment doesn’t arrive?
Wait three mail days (business days) after the scheduled date before contacting SSA, because banks sometimes post deposits late. After that, call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or contact your local Social Security office.
Frequently asked questions
Is the second December SSI payment a stimulus or bonus?
No. It’s your regular January 2027 payment, paid early.
Will I get an SSI payment in January 2027?
No. January’s payment arrives December 31, 2026. Your next payment after that is February 1, 2027.
Do SSDI recipients get two payments in December?
Not usually. SSDI follows the birthday schedule. Only SSDI recipients who also get SSI, or who started before May 1997, are paid on the 3rd of the month. Their January payment also arrives December 31.
Sources: SSA Schedule of Social Security Benefit Payments, SSA 2027 COLA Fact Sheet.
