When do you get your SSI check for January 2026? See payment schedule

Before the end of the year, those who get Supplemental Security Income checks will get a second December check –but it's not a bonus.

That's because it's actually beneficiaries' check for January. January SSI payments are scheduled to go out on Wednesday, Dec. 31, according to the Social Security Administration’s calendar. SSI payments are typically issued on the first day of the month, but payments go out early when the first of the month lands on a weekend or a holiday, as it does in January (Jan. 1 is a New Year's Day).

It's beneficiaries second check in December, because this month's SSI payments went out on the regular schedule on Monday, Dec. 1. A similar situation will arise again in July 2026, according to the SSA calendar, when beneficiaries will get checks on July 1 and July 31 because Aug. 1 is a Saturday.

The check scheduled to go out Dec. 31 will also be the first to reflect a 2.8% cost-of-living increase (COLA) in 2026 Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits.

When are SSI payments sent out for January? See the full 2026 payment schedule.

Here are the dates for SSI payments for 2026, according to the SSA calendar:

• Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025 (Check for January 2026)
• Friday, Jan. 30, 2026 (Check for February 2026)
• Friday, Feb. 27, 2026 (Check for March 2026)
• Wednesday, April 1, 2026 (Check for April 2026)
• Friday, May 1, 2026 (Check for May 2026)
• Monday, June 1, 2026 (Check for June 2026)
• Wednesday, July 1, 2026 (Check for July 2026)
• Friday, July 31, 2026 (Check for August 2026)
• Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026 (Check for September 2026)
• Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026 (Check for October 2026)
• Friday, Oct. 30, 2026 (Check for November 2026)
• Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2026 (Check for December 2026)

What is Supplemental Security Income or SSI?

Supplemental Security Income, which is also administered by the Social Security Administration, provides benefits for those with limited or no income or resources, those aged 65 or older, and those who are blind or have a qualifying disability. Children with a qualifying disability are eligible for SSI, according to the SSA website.  Nearly 7.4 million Americans currently get monthly SSI payments, the agency says.

Adults who earn more than $2,019 from work monthly typically do not qualify for benefits. About one-third of SSI recipients also get Social Security benefits.

To see if you are eligible for SSI, visit the Social Security website. You can also go in person to your local Social Security office, or call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time during the work week.

Mike Snider is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can follow him on Threads, Bluesky, X and email him at  mikegsnider  &  @mikegsnider.bsky.social  &  @mikesnider & [email protected].