If you rely on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and your bank account looks empty this month, you are not alone. Around 7.3 million recipients will receive no SSI deposit in November 2026, and then two in December.
This is not a cut or a mistake. It is the result of how the Social Security Administration (SSA) handles payments when the first of the month falls on a weekend or holiday. Here are the five things you need to know, from the dates to the new amounts that kick in at the end of the year. You can also check the full Social Security and SSI calendar for December 2026.
1. Your November money already arrived
SSI is normally paid on the 1st of each month. Because November 1, 2026, fell on a Sunday, the SSA sent November’s payment early, on Friday, October 30. That deposit was your November check, not an extra one.
If you have not seen it, look at your bank or Direct Express card history for October 30. Most people who think a payment is missing simply received it a few days earlier than they expected.
2. The next SSI payment is on Tuesday, December 1
December 1 is a regular business day, so the December check will arrive on time on Tuesday, December 1. The amount will be the same as in recent months, because it still reflects the 2026 rates.
For 2026, the federal maximum is $994 a month for an individual and $1,491 for an eligible couple. Many states add a supplement on top, and some people get less because of other income.
3. A second December deposit lands on Thursday, December 31
January 1, 2027, is New Year’s Day, a federal holiday. That pushes January’s SSI payment back to Thursday, December 31. In practice, you will see two deposits in December, and none in January.
Keep in mind that the December 31 deposit is your January money. Plan your budget so it covers all of January’s bills, since the next payment after that will not arrive until February 1.
4. The December 31 check includes the 2027 raise
The SSA confirmed a 3.6% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2027. Because January’s SSI payment arrives early, recipients will be the first to see the increase, on the last day of 2026.
According to the SSA’s 2027 fact sheet, the federal maximum rises to:
- $1,029 a month for an individual.
- $1,544 a month for an eligible couple.
We break down who gets the full amount in our story on the first $1,029 SSI payment on December 31.
5. The resource limit does not change
The COLA raises payments, but the asset rules stay the same. In 2027, an individual can have up to $2,000 in countable resources and a couple up to $3,000, the same limits that have applied for decades.
That matters in a month with two deposits. If money from your checks builds up in your account, it could push you over the limit later. If you are unsure, ask the SSA how your balance is counted before moving or saving large amounts.
What to do if a payment really is missing
If a deposit does not appear on the expected date, check with your bank first. The SSA asks people who get paper checks to wait three additional mail days before reporting it.
After that, call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local office. You can also review your payment history online through your my Social Security account.
