Christmas is here and instead of singing jingle bells, the SSA (Social Security Administration) is ready to send Christmas payments to millions of people in the United States so they can celebrate a nice, white Christmas. December is a special month, and there are different payment dates depending on your program and personal situation, no matter what benefit you receive from the SSA (if you are a pensioner, SSDI or SSI), this article is for you and so you know the dates on which Santa from the SSA will come! Here we tell you everything you need to know so you can enjoy these holidays with peace of mind.
Social Security schedule for December
We are going to explain step by step how SSA payments are organized, because, even for them, it is not a simple task. The SSA organizes the payments in a staggered manner so that everything is easier and faster. In this way, the beneficiaries are grouped into two large categories, depending on when they began receiving their benefits. First of all, you can access the Official Payment Schedule by clicking here, but, we are also going to explain how to do it.
As we have said, the SSA organizes the beneficiaries into two groups:
- The first group is the beneficiaries who began receiving payments before May 1997. For them, the payment is made on the 3rd of each month (regardless of the program they belong to)
- For the second group, the beneficiaries who began receiving payments after May 1997, it will be a little more complicated:
– SSI (Supplemental Security Income): it will arrive on the first day of each month.
– OASDI (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance): Your payments are divided by date of birth:
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- Born between December 1st and 10th: You receive your money on December 11th.
- Born between December 11th and 20th: You receive your check on December 18th.
- Born between December 21st and 31st: Payments will arrive on December 24th.
How much money can I receive in December?
The payment amounts for this December will be the same as those for 2024 for the vast majority of beneficiaries, except for those who receive SSI, who will have a small adjustment. If we go by the last few months, these were the amounts (on average) for each program:
- Retirement: $1,875.82
- SSDI (Disability): $1,404.75
- Survivors’ Benefits: $1,509.29
- SSI: $697.50 (this amount may vary due to cost-of-living adjustments and inflation).
How do I know if I can apply for these payments?
If you are not yet enrolled in the SSA but think you might qualify for one of the programs, here are the basic requirements for each situation
– Retirement:
- Be at least 62 years old.
- Have worked and paid into the SSA for at least 10 years.
– SSDI (Disability Insurance):
- Have contributed to the SSA for 5 of the last 10 years.
- Have a medical certificate proving a disability.
– Survivors’ Benefits:
- Be dependent on a worker who has paid Social Security taxes (the minimum duration of contributions depends on the worker).
– SSI (Supplemental Security Income):
- Have monthly income less than $1,971.
- Have assets less than $2,000.
– Be over 65 years old or disabled.
What do I do if I don’t receive my payment on time?
December is a very peculiar month full of expenses, so in case you don’t receive your payment on the due date, don’t hesitate to contact the SSA as soon as possible. You can visit their official website at www.ssa.gov or contact them by phone (1-800-772-1213 and 1-800-325-0778 for people with hearing disabilities) to resolve any issues you may have. Remember to also keep your banking information up to date so that there are no more problems.