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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Susan B.
Have been trying to find out information and can never get through to SS office here. Can you please let me know if I am a caretaker for my mother and I only am collecting my SS under 12K. Do I get any exemptions from SS Taxes?
R.F.
Hi Susan. For income tax related questions, you will need to contact the IRS. Their toll-free number is 1-800-829-1040.
Some people have to pay federal income taxes on their Social Security benefits. This usually happens only if you have other substantial income (such as wages, self-employment, interest, dividends and other taxable income that must be reported on your tax return) in addition to your benefits. We hope this information helps!
kathy g.
my elderly mother died. do i need to send a death certificate to the SSA and if so how do i do it and does it have to be an original?
R.F.
We are sorry for your loss, Kathy. Typically, the funeral director notifies us of an individual’s passing by contacting their local Social Security office.
If you would like to verify if this information was reported, you will need to speak 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.
Please keep in mind that to be eligible for a Social Security benefit payment, a person has to live throughout the entire month. If the deceased was receiving Social Security benefits, you must return the benefit received for the month of death or any later months. Social Security benefits are paid the month after they are due.
For example, if the person dies in February, you must return the benefit paid in March. Thank you.
Patricia D.
My apt. complex (31 Baltimore Ave.) needs a paper proving the amt. of my SSI monthly payment. They do this report yearly for every tenants protection. I need this report within 7 days. My SSI pmt. goes directly to my Bank. If it is necessary I can go to the SSI building for the paper or the Social Security building. I would like to know which is necessary, Thank You
R.F.
Hello Patricia. If you need proof you get Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security (SSI) Income or Medicare, you can request a benefit verification letter online by using your personal my Social Security account.
Maria R.
I Maria return 2012 Nissan Versa on 12/26/2017 no have the car
I got a new vehicle Ford Edge 2011
02/21/2018 for disability of Roxana Romero and follow up doctors
Melody J.
I got married to a British citizen December 13, 2017 and I am from USA. We plan on living in England and I am in the process of filling for Indefinite Leave to Remain in England. How do I change my marital status to ” Married “? What form do I use and how much time do I have ?
R.F.
Congratulations, Melody! Please contact the local U.S. embassy or consulate for any assistance related to Social Security programs and benefits.
Wilma S.
My husband and I have separated and though we both live on our property, we do not live together any more. He cooks for himself as do I. We inhabit separate living quarters.I am applying for foodstuffs and would like to request my full benefits so I can keep up with my monthly obligations. My case number is: Wilma L. Simpson; ***-**-****A; my monthly allotment is now 429.00. I would like to apply for my full benefits.
Amber F.
Today, Feb 20, 2018 I have spent one hour and 27 minutes on hold for a 3 minute and 46 second conversation with a SS rep. This makes my THIRD attempt to correct a SS “glitch”. On Nov. 2, 2017 my disabled daughter and I moved from Lavaca County TX to Harris County TX. As required, I called and reported that change to SS that same week. My daughter receives Medicaid services through United Healthcare Star Plus Community Plan which is available in both Lavaca County and Harris County. All of her services (nursing, respite, doctors, prescriptions, feeding tube, formula, wheelchair, diapers, etc.) were transferred to Harris County. Everything was fine for Nov., Dec, 2017 and Jan. 2018, however, on Feb. 1, 2018 this “glitch” put her back in Lavaca County and assigned her to the Superior Healthcare Plan (which none of her doctors, i.e. neurologists, orthopedist, pcp, etc. are on). Every time I call, which involves sitting on hold forever only to be told that my address is still incorrect and that SS has been “having problems with their system” and that it will take 30 to 45 days from my phone call take effect (which phone call? The first call, the second call or the third call?) My daughter cannot wait 30 to 45 days from any of those calls! She runs out of her meds at the end of Feb! I cannot make any doctors’ appointments. Her nursing services, medical equipment services will end. I am a single mother of a severely disabled adult child trying desperately to care for her. I moved from Lavaca County to Harris County to start a new job that would enable me to do so. However, I cannot sit on hold for hours only to be told nothing has been done to help me get SOCIAL SECURITY’S “problems with their system” fixed and I cannot take off work to go sit FOR HOURS in a SS office. I did not create this problem. I did and continued to do what I was required to do! My daughter is the one who will be suffering, not SS if this “problem with their system” is not fixed and her services restored immediately. I am ready to call my Congressman!
R.F.
Hello Amber. We apologize for the inconveniences you’re experiencing. We have referred your complaint to our Office of Operations to follow up and to take corrective action as necessary. We appreciate your feedback, and thank you for bringing this to our attention.
Mary A.
I know it’s my responsibility. I have called.I was told on answering services I can do it on Webb site. If I couldn’t hold for approx.55 min.. So. I think I went through .
Glynncoltharp
How to sign up on SSD because of back problems my employer will not talk to anyone at Social Security what can I do , He refuses to talk to anyone how can we make him disclose my information I need someone’s help thank you
R.F.
The Social Security Act sets out a strict definition for disability. We pay disability benefits to people who are unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last one year or more or to end in death.
However, if a person believes they are disabled and meets our definition of disability, we encourage them to apply for disability benefits immediately after they became disabled. You can apply online, which is quick and easy. For more information visit our “Frequently Asked Questions” web page on disability.
If you need further assistance, call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Thanks.
Sonia M.
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