SSI recipients are set to see a big deposit hit their accounts on Monday, December 1, 2025, with the Social Security Administration confirming payments of up to $967 for eligible individuals. This regular monthly benefit lands early in some years due to weekends and holidays, giving millions of low‑income Americans a timely cash boost just before the holidays.
What’s Happening on December 1?
On Monday, December 1, 2025, anyone who qualifies for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will receive their standard monthly federal benefit, worth up to $967 for individuals at the 2025 maximum rate. SSI normally pays on the first of the month, but when that date falls on a weekend or holiday, the payment is pushed to the nearest business day, which is why some months show an “early” deposit even though it is just the regular check.
This December check is a lifeline for people who use SSI to cover rent, groceries, utilities, and medicine, and the timing gives recipients a bit more breathing room heading into the holiday season. For many, this payment is also the first reminder that another SSI check is coming at the end of the month to cover January 2026.
Why the Amount Is $967 in 2025
The $967 figure reflects the maximum federal SSI benefit for a single eligible person in 2025 after a cost‑of‑living adjustment (COLA) of around 2.5 percent raised monthly amounts starting in January. Couples who both qualify can receive up to about $1,450 per month at the federal level, while “essential persons” who live with and help care for the recipient have their own smaller payment standard.
Not everyone receives the full $967, because any countable income is subtracted from the maximum, and some people have state supplements that change their final amount. States like California are known for adding some of the biggest extra payments on top of the federal benefit, which can push the total monthly check over $1,000 for some residents.
Quick History and Purpose of SSI
Supplemental Security Income began in 1974, replacing a patchwork of older state‑run assistance programs with one federal system. The program targets people who are age 65 or older, blind, or living with a qualifying disability, and who have very limited income and resources.
Unlike Social Security retirement or disability insurance, SSI is not funded by payroll taxes; instead, it is paid out of general federal tax revenues. The idea is to guarantee a basic minimum level of income so that extremely low‑income seniors and disabled people are not left without cash for everyday essentials.
Who Qualifies for the $967 Check?
To receive the December 1 payment, a person must be approved for SSI and meet strict financial and non‑financial rules. In practice, that usually means:
- Age 65 or older, or legally blind, or meeting the Social Security disability definition.
- Very low monthly income, with an approximate cap around the low‑$1,900 range for an individual before SSI reductions apply.
- Countable resources of no more than $2,000 for an individual (excluding a primary home, one vehicle, and certain personal items).
- U.S. citizenship or qualified non‑citizen status, plus residence in one of the 50 states, D.C., or certain territories.
The $967 is a maximum, not a flat amount, so anyone with other income—such as wages, small pensions, or Social Security benefits—may receive a smaller SSI check after the program’s income formulas are applied.
2025–2026 SSI Payment Dates
Because of how weekends and federal holidays land, the SSI schedule through early 2026 includes a few “shifted” deposits that might look like bonus checks at first glance.
Key dates from late 2025 into early 2026 include:
- December 1, 2025: Regular December SSI payment (up to $967 for individuals at 2025 rates).
- December 31, 2025: January 2026 SSI payment paid one day early because New Year’s Day is a federal holiday.
- January 30, 2026: Standard February 2026 payment date under the adjusted calendar.
- February 27, 2026: March 2026 payment.
- March 31, 2026: April 2026 payment.
These timing quirks can lead to two SSI deposits in the same calendar month or a longer‑than‑usual gap between checks, so recipients are encouraged to plan bills and budgeting around the official schedule.
2025 vs. 2024 Benefit Levels
The 2025 increase to $967 for individuals reflects a modest bump from 2024, when the maximum federal monthly amount was $943. For couples, the top federal payment climbed from roughly $1,415 in 2024 to about $1,450 in 2025, while the “essential person” rate also rose slightly.
Looking ahead, early projections suggest that 2026 SSI maximums could land near the $992 mark for individuals if the COLA falls in the 2.5–3 percent range many analysts expect. That would keep monthly benefits roughly in line with inflation, though advocates frequently point out that rising rents, medical costs, and food prices often outpace the official COLA.
How to Make Sure Your December 1 Payment Arrives
To actually receive the December 1 deposit smoothly, the most important step is to use direct deposit or an approved electronic payment option. People who still rely on paper checks can see postal delays, while electronic transfers usually hit bank accounts or debit cards early on the scheduled day.
Recipients should also:
- Keep their address, phone number, and bank details current with the Social Security Administration.
- Report major life changes—such as getting married, moving in with someone, changes in earnings, or leaving the country—within about 10 days, since these can affect eligibility and payment amounts.
- Regularly log in to their “my Social Security” or SSI account tools online to monitor notices, payment history, and any flags that might delay a deposit.
If the money is still missing by the end of December 1, beneficiaries are advised to contact SSA at its national toll‑free number to check on the status of the payment.
SSI by the Numbers
SSI may not get as much attention as Social Security retirement, but it reaches a huge portion of the country’s most vulnerable residents. Roughly 7.5 million people are enrolled, including seniors, children with disabilities, and adults who cannot work due to severe health conditions.
Calendar oddities have occasionally produced record‑high monthly totals for some recipients—such as months when two SSI payments go out in close succession, causing individual totals to exceed $1,800 within a single calendar month. Still, that apparent “extra” money is simply an early payment for the following month, not a new bonus or stimulus.
Extra Help Beyond the Federal Check
For people living solely on SSI, the $967 maximum does not always stretch far enough, so the rules allow for additional support from other programs without wiping out eligibility. Many states and localities offer supplemental cash benefits on top of the federal amount, with states such as California, New York, and Massachusetts frequently cited for offering some of the largest add‑ons.
Recipients should also explore:
- SNAP (food stamps), which in many cases no longer reduces the SSI amount the way cash assistance might.
- ABLE accounts, which let people with disabilities save money without having those funds counted against SSI resource limits up to certain thresholds.
- State or county programs for rental assistance, utility discounts, and transportation support targeted at SSI and other low‑income beneficiaries.
Common Questions About the December Payment
Many people wonder whether the $967 landing on December 1 is an “extra” payment or a stimulus check, but it is simply the regular monthly SSI benefit at 2025 rates. The apparent bonus comes from the fact that a second SSI deposit for January 2026 will arrive early on December 31, again because banks and federal offices will be closed on New Year’s Day.
Others may notice that their payment dates differ if they receive both SSI and another Social Security benefit, such as retirement, SSDI, or survivor payments. In those cases, the SSI deposit still lands on December 1, while the standard Social Security benefit typically arrives on or around December 3 or one of the mid‑month Wednesdays, depending on the person’s date of birth.
Why This Update Matters
For millions of low‑income Americans, the confirmed $967 SSI deposit on December 1 is more than a line on a government calendar—it is the money that keeps housing stable, fridges stocked, and prescriptions filled. Paired with the early January 2026 payment at month’s end and another COLA‑boosted year on the horizon, SSI recipients have a clearer roadmap for planning budgets and avoiding gaps heading into the new year.
As long as beneficiaries keep their information up to date, use direct deposit, and pay attention to the official SSI calendar, they can make the most of this critical support and avoid unpleasant surprises.