Many Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients were confused when no payment showed up in November 2025. However, there was no error, delay, or suspension involved. The Social Security Administration (SSA) simply issued the November payment early, depositing it on Friday, October 31, 2025.
This is a normal SSI payment rule. Whenever the first day of the month is a weekend or federal holiday, the SSA sends the deposit on the last business day of the previous month. This prevents delays and ensures that SSI recipients have access to their funds on time.
Two SSI Payments Coming in December 2025
Your December and Early January SSI Benefits
December 2025 brings good news for beneficiaries: you will receive two SSI payments during the month.
- Regular December Payment — arriving Monday, December 1, 2025, with the full 2025 federal benefit rate.
- Early January 2026 Payment — arriving Wednesday, December 31, 2025, issued early because New Year’s Day is a holiday.
The Benefit of the Early January Payment
The December 31 deposit counts as your January 2026 SSI benefit. This payment will already include the 2026 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) of 2.8%, meaning your SSI amount will be higher starting with this advance payment.
Because you receive January’s benefit early, there will be no SSI payment arriving in January 2026, so it’s important to budget wisely for the first few weeks of the year.
SSI Payment Schedule Returns to Normal in February 2026
Beginning February 2026, deposits will follow the standard SSI schedule again — the first of every month, or the business day before if that date is a federal holiday. Every payment from February onward will permanently include the 2.8% COLA increase.
Updated SSI Payment Amounts for 2025 and 2026
Maximum SSI Rates for 2025
For 2025, the maximum federal SSI payments (before state supplements) are:
| Category | Maximum Monthly SSI Payment (2025) |
|---|---|
| Individual | $967 |
| Eligible Couple | $1,450 |
| Essential Person | $484 |
These amounts apply to beneficiaries with no countable income.
New SSI Rates for 2026 After 2.8% COLA
With the newly announced 2.8% COLA, the 2026 SSI maximum amounts increase to:
| Category | Maximum Monthly SSI Payment (2026) |
|---|---|
| Individual | $994 (up $27) |
| Eligible Couple | $1,491 (up $41) |
| Essential Person | $498 (approx.) |
The very first payment reflecting this boost will arrive on December 31, 2025, giving SSI recipients an early start on the 2026 payment increase.
Remember: your final monthly amount may differ if you have additional income, and many states offer state SSI supplements, so benefits can vary depending on where you live.
Conclusion
In 2025 and early 2026, SSI beneficiaries will notice several schedule adjustments, including early deposits and the annual COLA increase. The early November and December payments follow long-standing SSA payment rules, ensuring recipients always receive benefits on time. Understanding the updated SSI payment amounts, upcoming 2.8% COLA, and the double payment in December can help you plan your finances more effectively as you enter the new year.
FAQs
1. Why didn’t I receive an SSI payment in November 2025?
Because the payment was issued early, on October 31, 2025, due to SSA rules when the month starts on a weekend.
2. Why are there two SSI payments in December 2025?
December includes the regular payment on December 1 and the early January 2026 payment on December 31.
3. When will SSI payments return to normal?
The regular schedule resumes in February 2026, with payments on the first of each month (or preceding business day).