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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Lawrence S.
Thanks alot for all the help
R.F.
Thank you for using our online services! We’re pleased we can help. We will continue our efforts to meet your requirements and expectations in the years to come.
Mary D.
I need my Earnings Statement for 2016. When can I expect it to be mailed to me?
R.F.
Hi Mary! You can create a my Social Security account and view you earnings records. If you already receive Social Security benefits, you can manage your benefits and you can view, print, and save your benefit verification letter at any time with this account. We only mail Social Security Statements to workers ages 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, and 60 and older, but only if they do not receive Social Security benefits or if they do not have a my Social Security account. We hope this information addresses both of your questions.
Mary
My landlord needs to view my Earnings Statement for 2016. When will these be sent out??????
R.F.
Hi Mary! You can create a my Social Security account and view you earnings records. If you already receive Social Security benefits, you can manage your benefits and you can view, print, and save your benefit verification letter at any time with this account. We only mail Social Security Statements to workers ages 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, and 60 and older, but only if they do not receive Social Security benefits or if they do not have a my Social Security account. We hope this information addresses both of your questions.
Mohammed A.
Thank you and thanks a lot from Mohammed Abdul Mannan and My
Wife Rizwana Mannan for having accepted our kind request to have our
SSI fixed at $ 187-00 for each of us from December 2015, by deducting
$ 5.00 { Five dollars } each month until the overpaid SSI is fully paid up. Thanks that we are both getting that amount of $ 187.00 from the Month of December 2015.
We, thank you again for your kind help for both of us.
R.F.
Thank you for your feedback! We’re pleased we can help. Our employees are committed to providing the public with the best service possible.
Dee f.
I wish everyone representing SSA was so courteous..I have had people hang up in my face.So called supervisors sending me wild goose chases.All because I’ve explained my case file is horrendous, many of my dr and medical reports are incomplete , form to be filled out and signed arent even dated.Have NOA that arent right address and no dates yet not one person has assisted me and follow up on all my complaints.So much mis information, inaccurate statements and even relevant medical evidence omitted from my pain mgmt dr SSA claim used in decision no where address by ALJ or mentioned in entire case record.WHO DO I SPEAK TO TIRED IF RUN AROUND I’M SICK OF BEING SICK AND WORSE BY DEALING WITH NON COMPLIANT EMPLOYEES
Dee f.
I even had someone who answered phone tell me if I don’t like it get off my ass go work.
R.F.
To submit a comment, complaint or suggestion, you can write to us or send us an email message. Thanks.
JS
Why doesn’t Social Security have an e-mail available for recipient to ask questions to benefit issues, etc? There would then be a paper trail available for both the SS office and the benefit recipient. This would also improve transparency and accountability.
Ralph A.
I have no knowledge that I need to report anything ! Maybe you already know that OPERS has taken away from its retirees and spouses their previous Humana Advantage ? It looks like I am still on Medicare!
bob
where can people report others who fail to report additional income producing persons in subsidized housing, unreported income disability clients and other fraud recipients of the many programs? how about offering cash rewards for valid savings for these cheaters?
R.F.
Hi Bob. Social Security takes reports of fraud very seriously. If you suspect Social Security fraud, report it. Thanks !
Joy D.
If it is something that you have notified me I qualify for – do I have to notify you?
I am so confused with Medicare and FirstCare.Gov or something warning me of plans and updates.
I think you know more about me than I do!
MaryAnn W.
My daughter passed away this year. Should I notify Social Security?
becca
So sorry to hear about your daughter. Yes you’ll need to notify them over the phone or go to your local SSA office in person as soon as possible the better for you.
bruce
so sorry to hear about your daughter passing away. When Mom passed away this year the funeral home contacted social security , but you still need to call medicare. 1-800-medicare.
R.F.
Mary Ann, we are sorry for your loss. Usually, the funeral director notifies us of an individual’s passing by contacting their local Social Security office. To verify this information was reported, you need to talk to one of our representatives. You can call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Or you can also contact your local Social Security office.
bruce m.
I was on part time work weekly 32 hours. Got fired in november. was checking out disability insurance, and found out if you got social security, you couldnt collect. end of story. needing operation soon hopefully.