December 2022 SSDI payment schedule

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) payments in December 2022 followed the standard monthly schedule based on your birth date. The Social Security Administration sends payments on the same day each month—either the second, third, or fourth Wednesday of the month, depending on when you were born.

In December 2022, SSDI payments went out on three dates: Wednesday, December 14; Wednesday, December 21; and Wednesday, December 28. Which date you received your payment depended on your birth date, not on when you filed for benefits or when you were approved.

If you were born between the 1st and 10th of any month, your payment arrived on December 14. If you were born between the 11th and 20th, you received it on December 21. If you were born on the 21st or later, your payment came on December 28.

Key Takeaways

  • SSDI payments in December 2022 were sent on three dates based on birth date: December 14, 21, or 28.
  • Your payment date never changes month to month—it stays the same throughout the year based on when you were born.
  • The payment schedule is set by the Social Security Administration and applies to all SSDI recipients nationwide.
  • If you did not receive a payment on your expected date in December 2022, you could contact Social Security to report the issue.

How birth date determines your payment day

The Social Security Administration divides SSDI recipients into three groups by birth date to spread payments across the month. This system has been in place for decades and keeps the payment schedule predictable year after year.

Your birth date group never changes. Once you start receiving SSDI, you will receive payments on the same day of the month for as long as you receive benefits. This means if your payment arrived on the 21st in December 2022, it will arrive on the 21st in January, February, and every month after.

The only exception is if you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in addition to SSDI. SSI payments are sent on the first of the month, separate from your SSDI payment. Some people receive both programs and see two deposits each month.

What the December 2022 payment amounts included

The December 2022 SSDI payment included a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) that took effect that month. In October 2022, the Social Security Administration announced an 8.7 percent increase for 2023, which meant December 2022 payments reflected this higher amount.

The exact dollar amount you received depended on your individual work history and the age at which you started receiving benefits. SSDI payments vary widely from person to person—there is no single payment amount that applies to everyone.

If you wanted to know your specific December 2022 payment amount, you could check your Social Security account online at ssa.gov or call Social Security directly at 1-800-772-1213.

If your December 2022 payment did not arrive on time

Payments occasionally arrive late due to banking delays, even when Social Security sends them on schedule. If your payment did not appear in your bank account within one or two business days of your expected payment date, the delay was usually temporary.

If more than two business days passed and you still had not received your payment, you could contact Social Security to report it. You would need your Social Security number and the date you expected to receive the payment. Social Security can tell you whether the payment was sent and help trace it if it was lost in transit.

You could reach Social Security by phone at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), by visiting a local Social Security office, or by creating an account at ssa.gov to message them online.

How December payments differ from other months

December SSDI payments follow the same schedule as every other month—there is nothing different about the timing. However, December is when the annual cost-of-living adjustment takes effect, so your December payment amount is typically higher than your November payment.

The COLA is announced in October each year and becomes effective in December. This means December is the first month you see the increased payment amount. The adjustment stays in place for the entire following year unless Congress changes the law.

Some people mistakenly believe Social Security sends extra payments in December or that the payment schedule changes for the holidays. Neither is true. The schedule stays the same, and you receive one payment on your regular payment date.

Checking your payment date for future months

If you were unsure which date you received your December 2022 payment, you can find your payment date in your Social Security account. Log in at ssa.gov, go to "Benefit Verification," and look for your payment schedule. It will show you the exact date you receive payments each month.

You can also call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 and ask a representative to confirm your payment date. Having your Social Security number ready will speed up the call.

Your payment date remains the same every month, so once you know it, you can expect your SSDI payment on that same day throughout the year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do some people get SSDI on different dates?

Social Security spreads payments across three dates each month based on birth date to manage the volume of payments. This system has been standard for many years. Your birth date determines which group you fall into, and that never changes.

Does the December payment include a bonus or extra money?

No. December payments are the same as any other month—you receive one payment on your regular payment date. The only difference is that the amount is usually higher because the annual cost-of-living adjustment takes effect in December.

What if I was born on the 20th—do I get paid on the 14th or 21st?

If you were born on the 20th, your payment date is the 21st of each month. The cutoff is birth dates 1–10 (14th), 11–20 (21st), and 21 and later (28th).

Can I change my SSDI payment date?

No. Your payment date is fixed based on your birth date and cannot be changed. However, you can change the bank account or payment method where you receive your money by contacting Social Security.

What happens if the 28th falls on a weekend or holiday?

Social Security sends payments on the scheduled day even if it falls on a weekend or holiday. Your bank may process the deposit on the next business day, but Social Security's part is completed on the official payment date.