Urgent Update: Major Changes to December’s Social Security Payment Schedule—What You Need to Know

Social Security benefits follow a relatively strict and regulated schedule to ensure that all beneficiaries receive their payments on time and do not fall behind on any of their bills. Numerous studies have shown that many Americans cannot confront a $400 unexpected bill, which is especially true for individuals on fixed incomes with little to no savings, as is the case for most Social Security claimants. When most people think of Social Security, they think of retirement benefits. However, the Social Security Administration administers five programs: retirement, family, survivor, disability, and Supplemental Security Income. While each has its own set of qualifications, the schedule for all of them is relatively straightforward and almost written in stone.

Social Security Calendar:

As previously noted, the Social Security calendar is established in stone. Benefits are paid in three categories, and the general norm is:

• SSI payments are made to all beneficiaries on the first of each month. This is the sole payment compatible with other Social Security payments; hence, it is listed separately.
• Retirement, family, survivor, or disability payments for recipients who began receiving benefits before May 1997. These are delivered on the third of each month.
• Retirement, family, survivor, or disability payments for recipients who began receiving benefits before May 1997. These are issued throughout the month according to a birth date schedule. 
• But, given that the schedule appears so rigid, what could jeopardize benefits? Weekends and national holidays are the first things that disrupt any calendar. The SSA may only distribute benefits when banks are open, and the US Postal Service delivers mail; therefore, if a payment date falls on a weekend or a holiday, the benefit must be distributed to minimize delays and economic consequences for beneficiaries.

December distribution schedule:

Given the many changes that a month as complex as December might offer, it is critical to understand the full distribution schedule:

• November 29: This year’s Black Friday (which, contrary to common opinion, is not a National Holiday; if it were, shops would be closed to accommodate the shopping sprees) saw the SSI payment for December. This is because the first of the month occurred on a Sunday.
• December 3: This benefit payment was made without alteration to those recipients who began receiving benefits before May 1997.
• December 11: This benefit payment for those born between the first and tenth of any month and beginning after May 1997 was likewise distributed as scheduled.
• December 18: This benefit payment for people born between the 11th and 20th of any month and who become beneficiaries after May 1997 will be distributed later this week, as planned.
• December 24: This benefit payment is for people born between the 21st and 31st of any month, recipients after May 1997. The cash should be distributed on the 25th. However, that is Christmas Day, which is a national holiday. This means that the payment is given ahead of schedule to guarantee that any potential delays do not harm beneficiaries.