Millions of Americans were surprised when there was no regular SSI deposit during November 2025. Yet far from a cut, this is part of the normal payment calendar that will actually lead to an SSI double payment in December 2025.
If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you can expect two deposits in December and a higher amount in the second one, thanks to the 2026 COLA increase.
Below is a clear breakdown of what is happening, who qualifies and how much you can expect.
What SSI Is Designed To Cover
The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, run by the Social Security Administration, provides monthly cash assistance to:
- Adults and children with qualifying disabilities
- Low income seniors aged 65 or older
- People with very limited income and assets
These monthly payments help cover basic needs such as housing, food, utilities and other essentials. For many households, the SSI payment schedule is the backbone of their monthly budget, so any calendar shift can create confusion.
Why There Was No SSI Payment In November 2025
By rule, SSI benefits are paid on the 1st day of the month. However, if that date falls on a weekend or a federal holiday, the Social Security Administration moves the deposit to the previous business day.
Here is what happened this time:
- The November 2025 SSI payment was scheduled for Saturday, November 1.
- Because banks do not process payments on Saturdays, the deposit was moved back to Friday, October 31, 2025.
- That October 31 deposit actually counted as the November benefit, which is why there was no separate SSI payment in November.
This is a routine administrative adjustment, not a missed or cancelled benefit. You did not lose a month of SSI; the payment simply arrived early.
Why There Will Be Two SSI Payments In December 2025
December 2025 is one of those months when the calendar works in favor of recipients, creating an SSI double payment in December 2025.
You can expect:
- First payment: Monday, December 1, 2025
- This is your standard SSI benefit for December 2025.
- It is paid on the usual date because December 1 is a normal business day.
- Second payment: Wednesday, December 31, 2025
- This deposit is an advance payment for January 2026.
- January 1, 2026 is New Year’s Day, a federal holiday.
- Because banks are closed, the SSI deposit for January is moved to the last business day of December.
As a result, SSI recipients will see two deposits in December, but there will be no separate payment on January 1, 2026. Your January benefit simply arrives one day early, at the end of December.
What Happens To SSI Payments In January 2026 And After
The second December payment on December 31, 2025 covers your January 2026 SSI benefit. That means:
- No new SSI deposit will arrive on January 1, 2026
- The next regular payment after December 31 will be the February 2026 benefit, paid on its usual date (the 1st, or the prior business day if needed)
This pattern is normal and happens any time the first of the month falls on a weekend or holiday.
SSI Maximum Amounts In 2025
The first December payment on December 1, 2025 uses the 2025 federal benefit rates. For that year, the maximum federal SSI amounts were: Wikipedia
- $967 per month for an eligible individual
- $1,450 per month for an eligible couple (individual with an eligible spouse)
- $484 per month for an essential person
Your actual benefit may be higher or lower depending on your state supplements, income and other factors, but these figures represent the federal base.
COLA 2026: Why The Second December Payment Is Higher
The second December deposit, arriving on December 31, 2025, is the first payment to reflect the 2026 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA).
The COLA is an annual increase that helps Social Security and SSI benefits keep pace with inflation. The SSA’s official COLA page explains that this adjustment is based on changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI-W).
For 2026, the COLA has been set at 2.8 percent. That increase raises the maximum federal SSI amounts starting with the January 2026 benefit, which, as explained, is paid in advance on December 31, 2025.
New maximum federal amounts, beginning with that second December payment, are:
- $994 per month for an eligible individual
- $1,491 per month for an eligible couple (individual with an eligible spouse)
- $497 per month for an essential person
Because the January benefit is paid early, recipients will feel the COLA increase before 2026 technically begins.
How To Use The December Double Payment Wisely
Since the SSI double payment in December 2025 includes January’s money, it is important not to treat it as a bonus. Consider:
- Planning your budget so that part of the December 31 deposit is reserved for January expenses
- Keeping track of both dates in a calendar or budgeting app
- Contacting the Social Security Administration or checking your online My Social Security account if your deposit does not arrive on the expected day
For many households, December also brings extra costs for heating, food and holidays. The COLA increase and early January payment can help, but only if you remember that the second payment is meant to cover the next month.
Key Takeaways
- There was no separate SSI payment in November 2025 because the November benefit was paid early on October 31, 2025.
- There will be two SSI payments in December 2025:
- December 1 for the December benefit at 2025 rates
- December 31 as an early January 2026 benefit at the new, higher COLA-adjusted rates
- The 2026 COLA increase of 2.8 percent raises maximum federal SSI payments to $994 for individuals and $1,491 for couples.
- After the December 31 payment, the next SSI deposit will be the February 2026 benefit, on the standard schedule.
For anyone relying on SSI, understanding this calendar shift can prevent worry and help you plan around the SSI double payment in December 2025.
