Some Social Security beneficiaries will get 2 monthly checks in December due to calendar quirk
Some people who get Social Security benefits will notice two payments coming through in December, simply because the calendar’s layout moves one of the usual disbursement dates into that month.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) typically sends Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits on the first day of each month. SSI is a program that provides regular monthly payments to eligible older adults and disabled individuals who have little or no income, and it’s distinct from the standard retirement benefits that come with Social Security.
When the first day of a month falls on a weekend or a federal holiday, the SSA shifts that month’s SSI deposit to the last business day of the preceding month. This guarantees that recipients receive their money before the new month starts and helps them avoid a cash shortfall.
Because of the way the 2025 calendar is arranged, you’ll actually get two SSI credits in December: one on December 1 for that month’s benefit, and a second on Wednesday, December 31, which will cover January’s payment.
Most of the time, these benefits arrive via direct deposit. If you don’t have a bank account or prefer another method, you can receive the funds on a Direct Express card instead.
At the end of September, the SSA stopped issuing paper checks after a Trump‑era directive required all federal payments to shift to electronic transfers—whether that’s into a bank account or onto a debit card.
According to SSA data, by September more than 68 million Americans were receiving Social Security benefits. Around 390,000 people—about 0.6 %—were still receiving paper checks.
The SSA website explains how to enroll in direct deposit through the My Social Security portal, or by calling either the SSA or the Treasury Department’s electronic payment solution center.
If you prefer, you can also sign up in person by visiting your bank.
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