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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steve m.
i opened a different account for the derict deposit to go into,my problem is i would like to have the change from one account to the other…….very simple realy
R.F.
Hi Steve, you can start or update your direct deposit by using the my Social Security account or by calling our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Thanks!
Joshua B.
Well I did change my address , for some reason you took that as I don’t want my direct deposit. All I did was change my address and now your MAILING Me My check . Nobody asked your service to do that.
I requested to change my address AND NOTHING ELSE so why are you NOW MAILING ME MY CHECK
R.F.
We apologize for the inconvenience, Joshua. You can update your direct deposit by using your my Social Security account. Or you can call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 and speak to one of our agents. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Thanks!
Linda S.
My new address is 8381 Hayport Rd. Apt.11 Wheelersburg, Oh 45694! Linda S Moore.
GARY D.
ALL I WANT TO DO IS CHANGE MY CONTACT ADDRESS. WE HAVE MOVED TO 4224 DORNOCH DR LAKE WALES FL 33859. I CANNOT SEEM TO DO THIS ON LINE. MY PREVIOUS ADDRESS WAS 1820 WOODPOINTE DR WINTER HAVEN FL 33884 CAN YOU PLEASE CHANGE YOUR RECORDS TO REFLECT THE ABOVE REFERENCED INFORMATION. THANK YOU KINDLY
R.F.
If you get Social Security benefits or are enrolled in Medicare, you can change your address online by using a my Social Security account.
If you are having difficulties with your personal my Social Security account, please call 1-800-772-1213 for assistance. After you hear “Briefly tell me why you are calling,” say “Help Desk” for help with a my Social Security account.
If you get SSI, or are unable to change your address online, you can:
•Call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; or
•Contact your local Social Security office.
If you do not receive Social Security benefits, SSI or Medicare, you do not need to change your address with us.
Just a reminder – We do not have access to personal information. Please be cautious about posting personal information on any social media channels. Thanks!
Kathy T.
I need help. I inherited Some money when my parents died money my local office told me that because Iof the inherited money they would take a percentage of my disability check. Can chill there over payment was paid back Instead they took the entire check and part of my WO’Dowd benefits check. I have no money left for the last eight months I’ve used my inheritance to pay my bills this month I can’t pay my rent or any of my utilities one by one everything is getting shut off I don’t know what to do and thEy are not helping me I asked for a hearing so I can bring my caregiver in and we could explain all the transactions. Instead they want me to drop paperwork off and explain every cash with drawl she has the money at the grocery store I didn’t keep the receipts. In the meantime I can’t pay any of my bills my TVs been turned off my electric is being turned up and now I can’t pay my rent one of my supposed to do I have no way there if you did it my leg and help with my foot on the other like I have lupus and a lot of other Myou disorders I can’t work I don’t know what to do is a shelter my next step?
RONALD M.
EX SPOUSE DIED SEP 11 2017
ALIMONY STILL DEDUCTED
HER SS *** – ** – *** CHARLOTTE NORMAN
MY SS *** – ** – *** RONALD M NORMAN
please correct this
R.F.
Hi Ronald, for security reasons, we do not have access to personal records in this blog. Please contact your local Social Security office, or call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions web page for information related to garnishment of Social Security benefits.
Just a reminder – Please be cautious about posting personal information on social media channels. Thanks!
Willena J.
How do I change my direct deposit that is going to my checking account in my current bank to go to my checking account in a different bank?
R.F.
Hi Willena, see our “Frequently Asked Questions” web page, for information on this topic. Thanks!
BillW
I am trying to change my status to notify that I got married via myaccount or email. Have not found any way to do this, or an explanation of same.
Dianne H.
Is it alright if I( as rep payee for my daughters medicare disability) change her address on line? She lives with me and is mentally handicapped. She is not capable of doing this herself. She can not do this by phone either. I read where it is not legal for me to do this.
R.F.
Thank you for your question, Dianne. Unfortunately, you cannot create or use an account on behalf of another person, even if you have that person’s written permission. You can only create a my Social Security account using your own personal information and for your own exclusive use.
However, as your daughter’s representative payee, you can report the change by phone. 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.
JUANITA A.
Once again–why is my SS been reduced? Last year I received $14,698.80 I paid Medicare Part B $1258.80.
This year I will get $1,253.00 and pay Medicare $133.00, giving me an amount of $1120.00. Why
R.F.
Hi Juanita. Unfortunately, but for security reasons, we do not have access to personal records in this blog, and cannot answer your question at this time. Please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 and speak to one of our agents. 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.