What month to apply?

I will be applying early for ss. I know the year of eligibility for full retirement we are allowed to make up to 60000 without them withholding payments- and I plan on working and collecting- I went on ss site to see when to apply- it asked when I wanted to apply for- I said January, because 2026 is my full retirement year-and it said when asked which month to put in December-but my understanding is that I wouldn’t get that payment because it isn’t my full retirement year, and I wouldn’t pass the earnings test. Why did it say that? I am aware that if I apply they pay the next month.