If you rely on Social Security benefits, it’s important to know when your payment will arrive, especially during the holiday season. Retirees, survivors, and millions of people receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) rely on these payments every month.
Here’s everything you need to know about December 2024 payments and how the holiday schedule will affect them.
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Why some payments are early in December
Each year the Social Security Administration (SSA) adjusts payment dates for holidays. In December 2024 Christmas falls on Wednesday which is a federal holiday. To ensure no one faces delays, payments scheduled for December 25 will be sent one day earlier, on December 24.
This early payment applies to people whose birthday is between the 21st and 31st of any month. If your payment is usually sent on the fourth Wednesday, you’ll get it a day early this month.
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Payment Schedule for December 2024
Here’s a simple breakdown of when you can expect your Social Security or SSDI payment based on your birthdate:
| Birthdate Range | Payment Date | Details |
| 1st to 10th of any month | Wednesday, December 11 | Regularly scheduled payments |
| 11th to 20th of any month | Wednesday, December 18 | Regularly scheduled payments |
| 21st to 31st of any month | Tuesday, December 24 | Payments sent early due to Christmas |
For SSI recipients December payments will be sent on Tuesday, December 31, as January 1 is also a federal holiday. This means your January 2025 SSI payment will arrive a day earlier than usual.
How to handle late payments
Holidays can sometimes cause delays, so it’s a good idea to have a plan in place if your payment doesn’t arrive on time.
- You can check your bank account and make sure there’s no problem with the deposit.
- You can call the Social Security Administration or visit their office to report a missing payment.
- Don’t wait until the last minute to resolve the problem, as the holiday season can be busy.
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What to expect in 2025
Social Security benefits will increase 2.5% in 2025 due to the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). Here are some examples of the new average payments:
- Retired workers: $1,976 (up from $1,927).
- Couples receiving benefits: $3,089 (up from $3,014).
- Disabled workers: $1,580 (up from $1,542).
For SSI recipients, the maximum federal monthly amount will also increase to $967 for individuals and $1,450 for couples. If you’re unsure how much your payment will be, the SSA will notify you by mail or through your mySocialSecurity account.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who gets an early payment on December 24?
If your payment is usually sent on the fourth Wednesday and your birth date is between the 21st and 31st of any month, you will receive your December payment the day before.
2. Why will SSI payments for January 2025 come early?
Since January 1 is a federal holiday, SSI payments for January will be sent on December 31, 2024.
3. How can I ensure a fast payment?
Setting up direct deposit at your bank is the fastest and most reliable way to receive your Social Security or SSDI benefits.