Millions of Americans who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will see two deposits in December 2025, and that has caused a lot of confusion online. Some posts are calling it an “extra” payment or a bonus check. That is not accurate. This is a normal calendar adjustment that happens when the first day of the next month falls on a holiday or weekend.
SSI is a monthly benefit for people with low income who are 65 or older, blind, or living with a disability. Payments are usually sent on the first day of each month. When the first falls on a federal holiday, the payment is issued on the prior business day. That timing rule is the main reason December 2025 looks unusual.
Why SSI Payments Come Twice in December
December 2025 has two SSI deposits because of how the calendar lines up.
The first payment arrives on December 1. That is the regular SSI payment for December, using the rates that apply through 2025.
The second payment arrives on December 31. This is not a bonus. It is the SSI payment for January 2026, paid early because January 1 is New Year’s Day, a federal holiday.
So the money is not extra. It is simply January’s payment delivered in December.
What the Two December Payments Represent
Here is the simple breakdown that helps most people understand it quickly.
December 1 payment
This is your normal December 2025 SSI benefit.
December 31 payment
This is your January 2026 SSI benefit paid early, and it includes the new 2026 COLA increase.
Because January’s check is moved earlier, SSI recipients will not receive another payment on January 1. The next SSI payment after December 31 will be in February 2026, paid on the normal schedule.
2026 COLA: The 2.8% Increase Explained
The second deposit on December 31 includes the new 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2026.
COLA is applied automatically. You do not have to fill out a form or call anyone to get it. The purpose is to help benefits keep up with inflation, especially for essentials like food, rent, and medical needs.
The 2.8% increase is smaller than the large jumps seen in 2023 and 2024, but it still raises monthly payments for SSI recipients starting with the January 2026 benefit.
New Federal SSI Maximums for 2026
With the 2026 COLA applied, the federal maximum SSI amounts increase.
Eligible individual: $994 per month (up from $967 in 2025, a $27 increase)
Eligible couple: $1,491 per month (up from $1,450 in 2025, a $41 increase)
Essential person add-on: $497 in cases where that category applies
These are federal maximums. Many people receive less than the maximum depending on their situation.
Why Your Actual SSI Amount May Be Lower
SSI is sensitive to income and living arrangements. Your payment can be reduced if the SSA determines you have countable income or support.
Common reasons your check may be lower include:
You have other income the SSA counts
You live with someone and do not pay your full share of rent and food
You have a living arrangement that triggers a reduction
Many states also add extra payments on top of the federal amount. About 30 states supplement SSI, which means the total monthly deposit can be higher for residents in those states.
States That Often Add More Support
Some states are known for larger SSI supplements in certain cases. California, New York, and Massachusetts are often mentioned because their add-on amounts can be meaningful depending on the situation and eligibility rules.
This is one reason two people with similar SSI eligibility can receive different payment totals.
Bottom Line
Seeing two SSI deposits in December 2025 may feel like extra money, but it is not. The second deposit is simply January’s payment moved earlier because of the New Year’s Day holiday. The good news is that the December 31 deposit will reflect the new 2026 COLA increase of 2.8%, raising monthly benefit levels going forward.
