General, Online Services

Receive Social Security Benefits? Keep Your Address Up-to-Date with my Social Security

April 8, 2019 • By

Reading Time: 1 Minute

Last Updated: November 3, 2023

" "Keeping your address up to date with a my Social Security account helps us mail your important documents to the correct place. If you receive benefits, you can use my Social Security to update your address. If you’ve moved recently, updating your information sooner rather than later will help us deliver important documents to you, including:

  • Your Social Security Benefit Statement (SSA-1099);
  • Important notices; and
  • Your Medicare card when you first enroll or if you need a replacement.

Even if you get your benefits by direct deposit, Social Security must have your correct address so we can send letters and other important information to you.

If you don’t have a my Social Security account already, you can open one today. This is the easiest way for you to keep your information up to date. Within minutes you’ll have access to your personal information as well as control over important documents like your Benefit Statement (SSA-1099), which can be replaced if you lose it.

While you’re there, you can also check to see if your earnings record is correct. Social Security keeps a record of how much you’ve made so that you get the benefits you deserve. We can only pay you your correct benefit if your records are correct.

Putting you in control of your future is a key part of securing today and tomorrow, and having your correct mailing address helps us get important documents and payments to you. With my Social Security, we help you receive the information you need, when you need it. Open or access your safe and secure account today.

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About the Author

Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner

Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner

Comments

  1. Lea P.

    My mother authorized me to receive all her SSA notices to my address to help her. She lives in another state. We’re having issues with her Medicare D plan saying she lives outside the area because they are seeing my zip code and not hers. When I try to have a residential and mailing address updated at my local SSA they say that can only happen if my mother has SSI (which she does not). Can’t the SSA have two addresses so the Medicare D plan can see that? They keep telling me to update her address with SSA.

    • Vonda

      Hi Lea, thanks for using our blog. Because of privacy and security concerns, you will not be able to conduct Social Security business on behalf of your mother unless you are her representative payee. Having a power of attorney, being an authorized representative, or having a joint bank account with your mother does not authorize you to change her address or authorize any other changes on her record. If your mother does not have a representative payee and she is not capable of managing and directing her Social Security benefits, someone should consider applying to be her payee. To learn more about becoming a representative payee, you can read our publication, “A Guide for Representative Payees” or visit our Representative Payee webpage. .

      To make an appointment to apply to be your mother’s representative payee, please contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.

  2. brooks

    yes i opened a my soc sec account so i could apply for benefits and much to my surprise when i viewed my benefit verification letter it has an address from 9 years ago so tired to find where i could change my address and you can only change the address if you currently receive benefits i could find nowhere to change my address. why is this?

    • Vonda

      Hi Brooks, thanks for using our blog. If you do not receive Social Security benefits, SSI or Medicare, you do not need to change your address with us. If you need to speak to a representative, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213 or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.

  3. Francisco J.

    Should I make a video of my living situation how my health is getting worse every day! During the day my body can’t function right due to the hi sugar level 600 and above every day and during the night my legs are crimping and frozen. Homeless and and health problems is prevented me to get back in the community. What evidence or proof the ssa needs to receive benefits? Or until I die than have the evidence.

    • Vonda

      Hi Francisco, thanks for using our blog. When you apply for disability benefits, we will ask for medical evidence that you already have in your possession. This includes medical records, doctors’ reports, and recent test results.

      For complete details on the disability application process, including information and documents you will need, check out our Disability Benefits web page.

  4. Kenroy W.

    I have a my social security account but I cannot figure how to add/change my address.
    I see preferences, security options and messages – but no profile information.
    Could please assist?

  5. Ruth H.

    My bank returned my check to social security as it did not accept the deposit. I now have a letter to say that my benefits have been stopped and that you do not have my correct address. The letter was sent to my home, which is the address that you have. What do I need to do?
    Ruth

    • Vonda V.

      For your security, Ruth, we do not have access to private information in this venue. Please call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.

  6. Nancy L.

    I can’t get the system to receive my photo of my drivers license. I tried about 5 or 6 times.

    Nancy L. Johnson
    130 Shain Rd
    Alto, NM 88312-9540
    575-336-2541
    bigbob@windstream.net

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Nancy, thanks for using our blog. All documents that you submit must be either originals or certified copies by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents. Any documents that you provide will be returned to you. To learn more on the Social Security replacement card process, please visit our “Social Security Number and Card” web page.

  7. Alex

    Does soc sec keep both a mailing address and a permanent residential address separately? I see only one address for update online under my profile even though I did not check the box “This mailing address is also my residence”.

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Alex, thanks for using our blog. The My Change of Address feature in my Social Security allows you to view and update the mailing address we currently have on our records and choose an effective date of “today,” or “on a later date.” The latter option allows the user to select a specific date in the future. It also allows you to indicate whether the mailing address is also your residence address. It will not ask for both.

      • Alex

        Yes, thank you. So the only address to change is the mailing address (unless it matches the residence). Can the permanent residence address be seen if not changed?

      • Alex

        Not sure if I left my reply in the correct box!
        Thanks for the reply. An additional question: can the permanent residential address be seen if not changed? You say we only have access to the mailing address. (unless it happens to match the residential).

        • Corey M.

          So I’m allowed to have a mailing address different from my physical address. Because they told me I should have changed my address but I have my mailing address to my moms and have lived elsewhere how does this work

          • Vonda

            For your security, Corey, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.

  8. Jance P.

    I’m having trouble finding out where to go to find my social security benefits letter. I need a copy of my letter and my husband’s.

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Jance, thanks for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for details on how to get a benefit verification letter. We hope this helps!

  9. Melinda

    How do I get a CP01A form resent. I did not receive my IRS PIN letter

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Melinda. Thanks for your question. For tax questions, you will need to contact the IRS. Their toll-free number is 1-800-829-1040 or you can visit their website at http://www.irs.gov/. We hope this helps.

  10. Joseph F.

    How do I apply for a direct bank card.

    • Vonda V.

      Hi Joseph. If you’re referring to a Direct Express card, you can call the Direct Express helpline at 1-800-333-1795 to see if they can help you or visit the Direct Express website.

Comments are closed.