Reporting Changes is Your Responsibility
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: November 6, 2023
If you receive benefits from Social Security, you have a legal obligation to report changes, which could affect your eligibility for disability, retirement, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. You must report any changes that may affect your benefits immediately, and no later than 10 days after the end of the month in which the change occurred.
Changes you need to report range from a change of address to traveling outside the United States for 30 consecutive days. To get a list of reporting responsibilities under disability, please read our publication, What You Need to Know When You get Social Security Disability Benefits, and for SSI, read What You Need to Know When You Get Supplemental Security Income. If you’re receiving retirement benefits, What You Need to Know When You Get Retirement or Survivors Benefits is also helpful.
Life changes can affect your benefits. You may be due additional payments, or you may be overpaid and have to pay us back because you didn’t report the overpayment in a timely manner. The SSI program may apply a penalty that will reduce your benefits if you fail to report a change, or if you reported the change later than 10 days after the end of the month in which the change occurred. If you fail to report changes in a timely way, or if you intentionally make a false statement, we may stop your SSI, disability, and retirement benefits. We may also impose a sanction against your payments. The first sanction is a loss of payments for six months. Subsequent sanctions are for 12 and 24 months.
You can report your change online, or by calling toll free at 1-800-772-1213. If you’re deaf or hearing-impaired call TTY 1-800-325-0778. Mail the information to your local Social Security office or in person if you prefer. If you receive SSI, you should ask about our options to use the automated toll-free SSI Telephone Wage Reporting Service or the free SSA Mobile Wage Reporting app.
If you receive benefits and need to change your address or direct deposit, you can conveniently do so by creating a personal my Social Security account.
Get the right check, in the right amount, at the right time, by reporting changes right away!
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Tags: retirement benefits, SSI, supplemental security income, survivors benefits
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Doug Walker, Deputy Commissioner, Communications
Deputy Commissioner, Office of Communications
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Dana
I was approved for ssd back in july they gave me back pay but it was put in to a wrong account. The money was sent back to ssd from the bank but it hasn’t been re issued as of yet and it has been over two months now.
My attorney has been paid from my back pay but i still haven’t received anything not even monthly benefits.
Every time I call or my attorney calls they say its sitting in the payment center any advice would be great.
R.F.
Hi, Dana. Unfortunately, but for security reasons, we do not have access to personal records in this blog. Please continue working with your local office. You can request to speak with the manager to see how we can help to expedite resolution of your situation. If you are unable to visit the local office, you can call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Generally, you will have a shorter wait time if you call later in the week. Thanks.
MARIA R.
Hi ,
I want to report lost my Social security in the international aeroport of Newark on 07-09-2017.Please I aprecciate if you contact me by my e’mail to follow with the duties that I need to do also give my number of my SS.thank for your cooperation I waiting anything.
R.F.
Hi Maria! We do not have access to personal information, therefore, we do not do direct messaging in this venue. We respond to questions and provide general information through our Blog and Facebook page. If you have a general question, we encourage you to ask here. But remember, never post personal information on social media. Also keep in mind that you will rarely need to show your Social Security card. Knowing your Social Security number is what is important. However, if you need to apply for a replacement card, visit our “New or Replacement Social Security Number and Card” web page. If you suspect identity theft, please contact the Federal Trade Commission. You can find more information in their website: http://www.idtheft.gov. Thanks!
MARIA R.
Thank you very much for your answer but right now I am living for long period in Bolivia I do Not know if there coming to use my ss card this my concern and my worries. just I white for inform ss administration that I lost my card If. you may do something for me I appreciate a lot .Thank you very much.Maria.
Chris H.
Hello. Both of my sons have Autism and receive SSI. When my second son was approved, our first son’s formula for what he receives each month was not modified to reflect that we have no ineligible children in our household. This is causing him to receive over $200 a month less than he should be getting. I have contacted the manager at my local office on three occassions. He has never returned my calls. I called an 800 number and the person I spoke with agreed that it’s a problem that should be resolved. Unfortunately she said it needed to be routed through my local office. Is there a national address that I can send documentation to get this resolved?
R.F.
We apologize for the delay and inconveniences you are experiencing, Chris. Unfortunately, but for security reasons, we do not have access to personal records in this blog. You can expedite correction of your situation by visiting your local office. You can request to speak with the manager directly to see how we can find a resolution to your situation. If you are unable to visit the local office, you can write to us and provide us with more information.
tangela c.
hey how long will it take for the benefits to be reinstated on my card after they where stopped due to change of address
R.F.
Hi Tangela. Unfortunately and because of security reasons we do not have access to personal records in this blog and cannot answer your question at this time. One of our representatives should be able to assist you. Please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Or visit your local Social Security office directly.
Bojan G.
I started working a full time job do i have to call social security administration office to let them know that i work full time job.? I don’t want to get ssi and have a full time job because than they will make me pay them back.
R.F.
Hi Bojan and thank you for your question. Keep in mind that the amount of your Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefit is based, in part, on your income and available resources. The law requires SSI beneficiaries to report their wages monthly, and that we monitor their work activity and pay them benefits accordingly. Your SSI benefits may continue depending on your total countable income, and our work incentive programs may allow you to work, minimizing the risk of losing your SSI or Medicaid benefits. Call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 and one of our agents will assist you. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Or contact your local Social Security office directly. Please visit our Understanding Supplemental Security Income web page and read our publication What You Need to Know When You Get Supplemental Security Income for more important information. Thanks!
Rebecca S.
I have been drawing my own SSI for a few years. My husband is now 70 and just started getting the mandatory SSI that one must start taking at 70. I am now 66 years old and would like to check into drawing on his retirement. How do I go about doing that? Thank you.
R.F.
Hi Rebecca. You’re probably referring to retirement benefits (SSI or the Supplemental Security Income is a different program-SSI benefits are only paid to the qualifying person, and there are no spouse’s benefits payable). If the benefit you receive now based on your own work is less than the benefit you would receive on your husband’s record, you may be eligible for an increase of your monthly benefit amount. Sometimes, a person could be entitled to more than one benefit at the same time and may receive a combination of benefits equaling a higher amount. For example, a person may be entitled as a retired worker on his/her own record and also as a spouse on another record. However, this individual’s benefit amount can never exceed the highest of either benefit amount to which they are entitled to.
Note: Spouse’s Benefits do not include any delayed retirement credits your husband may receive. To see if you qualify for a higher benefit than what you are currently receiving, you may call our toll free telephone number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Generally, you will have a shorter wait time if you call later during the day, or later in the week, thanks.
Liz
Hello. I have a question. My adult daughter who is on SSI is living with my mom in another state. (She did live with me at one time and I was her sponsor then but turned it over to my mom when she wanted to do it) Now my mom is thinking she doesn’t want to handle being the sponsor but still wants my daughter to live there (I chalk her not wanting to handle the financial because she’s 85 but she’s in excellent health) so my question is even though I live in another state could I take the sponsorship back over and my daughter still stay with my mom even though we are in different states? Thanks for any help on this.
R.F.
Thank you for your question Liz. We usually select a family member living in the same household as a representative payee. Someone who can see the beneficiary often and knows of his or her needs. In some cases social service agencies or other organizations can serve as representative payees. You can call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 for further assistance. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Or contact your local Social Security office directly.
Timotheus 6.
Tell me, what is the waiting period when SDI serves you a NOTICE OF BENEFIT EXHAUSTION , how long does it take for Social Security to make the Award (payment) adjustment ( for example 446 , then adjust to 1,329)
A.C.
Hi. Unfortunately, your question is a bit more complex than we can handle in this forum. For your security, we do not have access to information about your account in this venue. We do ask that members in our Blog community continue to work with our local offices with questions about their specific case. We hope you get this matter resolved soon.
Concerned
Hi. My payee has been receiving SSI checks for me every month since I’ve been considered disabled. I have recently reported to Social Security that I haven’t been receiving those paychecks, and my payee has been spending them on themselves, as I do not live with my payee anymore. I now have a job, but I just received a letter in the mail, saying that I owe money to Social Security. Why could this be happening, and why do I owe money, if I have reported not receiving any of the SSI help because of my payee’s actions?
R.F.
Unfortunately, but for security reasons, we do not have access to personal records in this blog. Your local Social Security office will be able to assist you, explain the basis of the overpayment, and investigate the alleged misuse of benefits. For more information and to learn about appeals and waiver rights, read our publication on “Overpayments“. For further assistance, please call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Me
What do I do I reported a change each time it happened and now they don’t have as record of it . I am disabled. What do I do?
A.C.
For your security, we do not have access to personal information in this venue. We do ask that members in our Blog community contact our offices or call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 with questions about their specific case. Telephone representatives are available between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, but you will generally have a shorter wait time if you call later in the week.