Up to $5,100 in Social Security Payments Before Christmas — See Who’s Eligible for a Check

The Social Security Administration (SSA) will be issuing payments to millions of Americans this December 2025, with many recipients receiving their funds just in time for Christmas. However, one group of beneficiaries will see their payment on Christmas Eve, as the final distribution date falls on December 24.

Who Receives Social Security Benefits?

Each month, the SSA sends out benefits to nearly 75 million individuals, most of whom are retired workers. These retirees make up over 70% of the total recipients. Aside from retirement benefits, the SSA also distributes disability benefits to around eight million Americans, and survivor payments to nearly six million family members of deceased workers.

Additionally, the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program supports about 7.4 million Americans, providing financial assistance to low-income individuals aged 65 or older or those with disabilities. Unlike other types of Social Security benefits, SSI is not based on an individual’s work history or payment of Social Security taxes.

Key Payment Dates for December 2025

Social Security benefits are distributed on specific days in December based on the recipient’s birthday:

• December 10: For recipients born between the 1st and 10th of the month.
• December 17: For recipients born between the 11th and 20th.
• December 24: For recipients born between the 21st and 31st.

These dates apply to retirees, disabled workers, and survivor beneficiaries. Payments are made on the same day each month unless a holiday or weekend affects the schedule.

Special Payment Dates in December

In addition to the regular birthday-based payments, there are two other payment dates:

• December 1: This is the scheduled date for SSI beneficiaries, who receive their checks on the first day of each month, unless it falls on a weekend or holiday.
• December 3: Long-term and dual beneficiaries, who have been claiming benefits since before May 1997, will receive their checks on the third of each month, provided it’s a regular business day. Around 2.5 million individuals receive both SSI and retirement, disability, or survivor benefits. These individuals will receive their SSI payment on December 1 and their other benefits on December 3.

How Much Are Social Security Benefits?

The amount received by each Social Security beneficiary varies depending on the type of benefit:

• Retirement Benefits: The average monthly retirement check is $1,995.48. The maximum possible retirement payment is $5,108 per month.
• Disability Benefits: Disabled workers receive an average of $1,582.95 per month.
• Survivor Benefits: Those receiving survivor benefits average $1,575.30 per month.
• SSI Benefits: Recipients of SSI receive an average of $717.84 per month.

Double SSI Payments in December

SSI recipients will receive two payments in December. The first is their regular monthly payment, which will be sent on December 1. The second is for January 2026, which will be sent on December 31, as New Year’s Day is a holiday and payments must be made early. This January payment will also reflect the 2.8% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) increase for 2026, a boost announced by the SSA in October.

In December 2025, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) recipients will receive their payments before the holiday season. However, there is one important detail to keep in mind. SSDI Payments for December 2025: When Will Social Security Disability Insurance Checks Be Issued? The final distribution for the month falls close to Christmas, meaning many beneficiaries could receive their checks just in time for the holidays. It’s crucial for SSDI recipients to check the exact payment dates to ensure they get their benefits promptly.

Conclusion

December 2025 will be a month of significant Social Security payments, with most recipients receiving their benefits ahead of Christmas. However, the SSA will be cutting it close with one group of beneficiaries receiving payments on Christmas Eve. Whether you’re receiving retirement, disability, survivor, or SSI benefits, it’s important to keep track of your payment schedule to ensure you don’t miss out on your monthly funds. Additionally, SSI recipients can look forward to a second payment in December that includes a COLA increase for 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will Social Security payments be sent in December 2025?

Social Security payments for most recipients will be issued on the 10th, 17th, and 24th of December, depending on the recipient’s birthday.

What are the average Social Security payment amounts?

The average monthly payment is $1,995.48 for retirees, $1,582.95 for disabled workers, and $1,575.30 for survivors. SSI recipients receive $717.84 per month.

Will SSI recipients get two payments in December?

Yes, SSI recipients will receive a regular payment on December 1 and an early payment on December 31 for January 2026, which will include a 2.8% COLA increase.