Millions of Americans who rely on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are looking at the calendar and wondering about their January payment. It is true that no check will arrive in your mailbox or bank account during the month of January. However, this is not a cause for alarm because you are not losing any money.
You are simply getting paid early. The holiday schedule for the start of 2026 has caused a shift in deposit dates. This change affects recipients in every state including Mississippi. This guide explains why the schedule changed and when you can expect your next payment.
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Understanding the Missing January Payment
The Social Security Administration follows a very specific rule for payments. SSI checks are always scheduled for the first day of the month. If the first of the month falls on a weekend or a federal holiday, the government issues the payment on the business day before that date.
January 1, 2026 is New Year’s Day. Since this is a federal holiday, banks and government offices are closed. The administration cannot process payments on that day. Instead of making you wait until January 2, they send the money early to ensure you have your funds on time.
The Reason for Two Checks in December
This holiday rule means your payment for January 2026 gets pushed backward into December 2025. This results in recipients getting paid twice in December. You received your regular benefit on December 1. You will receive your second check on December 31.
It is important to remember that the check arriving on December 31 is your money for January. You must budget this cash carefully to make it last through the entire month of January. You will not receive another deposit until the end of that month.
New Cost of Living Adjustment Arriving Early
The payment arriving on December 31 will look slightly different than previous checks. This specific payment will be the first one to include the 2026 Cost of Living Adjustment. This annual raise helps beneficiaries keep up with inflation and rising prices.
Reports indicate a 2.8% increase for the new year. For the average recipient, this means the monthly payment will increase by roughly $56. You will see this higher amount in the check that arrives on New Year’s Eve.
Key Highlights for SSI Recipients
- You will not receive a payment in January 2026 because it is being paid in December.
- Your payment on December 31 needs to last you until the end of January.
- The check arriving on December 31 will include the new 2.8% COLA increase.
- Recipients who get both Social Security and SSI might see three separate deposits in December.
Upcoming 2026 Payment Schedule
The schedule remains adjusted for the first few months of 2026 due to weekends and holidays.
| Month (2026) | Payment Date | Reason for Schedule Change |
| January | Dec 31, 2025 | New Year’s Day Holiday |
| February | Jan 30, 2026 | Weekend Adjustment |
| March | Feb 27, 2026 | Weekend Adjustment |
| April | Apr 1, 2026 | Regular Schedule |
| May | May 1, 2026 | Regular Schedule |
| June | Jun 1, 2026 | Regular Schedule |
