DNY59\/Getty <\/p>\n
The holiday season is almost here, and some Social Security recipients are going to be getting an extra gift this year. That\u2019s right, December people on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will get two checks\u2014one of which will reflect the 2.8 percent cost of living increase<\/a> (COLA) that was announced earlier this year. Below, we share exactly when you can expect these payments, and if people on regular Social Security will also see this double payment come through in the month of December.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n SSI is a government payment system that goes out to people with disabilities and\/or older adults with little to no income or resources. It\u2019s given out on the first of every month, and while that remains true for December benefits, January benefits will be disrupted.\u00a0<\/p>\n That\u2019s because if a monthly payment falls on a weekend or a federal holiday\u2014in this case New Year’s Day\u2014the Social Security Administration (SSA) will issue them early. So for January 2026, SSI recipients will see their payments come through on December 31, 2025, meaning they will receive two checks that month.\u00a0<\/p>\n This also means that in January no SSI checks will be issued, so people who rely on that money should plan accordingly.<\/p>\n For the first check in December\u2014which comes out on Monday, December 1\u2014SSI recipients can expect the amount to be the same as it has been all year. Then, in the December 31 check, recipients can expect to see a 2.8 percent increase on their check amount, thanks to the COLA increase.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cSocial Security is a promise kept, and the annual cost-of-living adjustment is one way we are working to make sure benefits reflect today\u2019s economic realities and continue to provide a foundation of security,\u201d Social Security Administration Commissioner Frank J. Bisignano said in a statement<\/a>. \u201cThe cost-of-living adjustment is a vital part of how Social Security delivers on its mission.\u201d<\/p>\n To calculate exactly how much you will get in 2026, all you need to do is multiply your current monthly payment amount by 0.028. While the increase is certainly good news, experts are warning that it might not be enough for people on SSI to properly fund their day-to-day lives.\u00a0<\/p>\n Nodar Chernishev\/Getty <\/p>\n