Overview
- Social Security pays monthly benefits on Wednesdays by birthdate, with December waves on Dec. 10 (1–10), Dec. 17 (11–20), and Dec. 24 (21+).
- Beneficiaries who started before May 1997 or who also receive SSI follow month-start payment dates rather than the Wednesday schedule.
- The January 2026 SSI payment will be issued on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025 because New Year’s Day is a federal holiday.
- SSI maximums for January 2026 are up to $994 for individuals, $1,491 for couples, and $498 for an essential person, subject to eligibility rules.
- Benefit delivery has largely shifted to direct deposit or the Direct Express card as paper checks are phased out.