Overview
- SSI benefits for January 2026 will be paid on Tuesday, Dec. 31, followed by Social Security payments on Friday, Jan. 2 for people who also receive SSI.
- Regular January payments for other beneficiaries will arrive by birth date: Jan. 14 (1st–10th), Jan. 21 (11th–20th), and Jan. 28 (21st–31st).
- The early SSI payment occurs because Jan. 1 is a federal holiday, and the SSA moves SSI to the last business day of the prior month under its standard rule.
- A 2.8% COLA takes effect for SSI later in December and for other Social Security benefits in January, which Newsweek estimates equals about $56 more per month for the average retiree.
- SSI maximums for January are up to $994 for individuals, $1,491 for couples, and $498 for essential caregivers, while the SSA says monthly retirement benefits can reach up to $5,108 for those claiming at age 70.