Some People Will Receive Two Social Security Payments in December

The Social Security Administration distributes benefits to almost 74 million people each month. Here is when to expect yours in December.

Payments are primarily distributed according to beneficiaries’ birth dates. However, for those who began receiving retirement, spousal, or survivor benefits before May 1997, they typically receive their payments on the 3rd of every month.

Supplemental Security Income, a program that provides additional income for people with disabilities and adults aged 65 and older with limited or no income, is distributed separately from Social Security benefits at the beginning of every month.

In some cases, when the beginning of the month coincides with a weekend or holiday, SSI benefits will be distributed in the preceding month. Due to government holidays in December, Supplemental Security Income recipients will receive two checks before the end of the year.

Here is how the checks will be distributed for the rest of the year:

In December, checks will be issued:

• Dec. 1 – SSI payments will be paid to those who are qualified. 
• Dec. 3 – Retirement benefits will be paid to those who have been collecting since before May 1997.
• Dec. 10 – Retirement, spousal, and survivor benefits will be paid to those born between the first and 10th of any month.
• Dec. 17 – Benefits will be paid to those with birthdays between the 11th and 20th of any month.
• Dec. 24 – Benefits will be paid to those with birthdays between the 21st and 31st of any month.
• Dec. 31 – SSI payments will be paid to those who are qualified for January.