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!
Did you find this Information helpful?
Tags: retirement benefits, SSI, supplemental security income, survivors benefits
See CommentsAbout the Author
Doug Walker, Deputy Commissioner, Communications
Deputy Commissioner, Office of Communications
Comments
Comments are closed.
Bexaida A.
No activation code was ever given me? Set up never happened
DJarvis A.
Yes I just received a letter from Social Security saying my benefits of 542 been reduced to 0.00 what is the reason for this
Cassie B.
I need to change address on my SS account and my husbands Medicare card.
SharoN N.
what is the address to mail social security direct deposit change form
R.F.
Hi Sharon, If you already receive Social Security benefits, you can update your direct deposit by using your personal my Social Security account. Or you can report the new direct deposit information by mail to your local Social Security office. Thanks!
Arthur m.
My Bank was Scamed & need to Change My Acct
Arthur m.
I need to change my BAnking imfo
R.F.
Hello Arthur, if you already receive Social Security benefits, and you need to update your direct deposit information, you can do it by using your personal my Social Security account. Thanks!
Wendy R.
I need to change information for my automatic deposit of my social security check.
Janet J.
I am trying to change my address on line or by phone. The phone service always says to call back, all representatives are busy. I am unable to get my address changed on line as they say the email address is already used. What do I do next? I am at wits end as unable to talk to someone and unable to get on line. Please Help!
Sherri J.
I need to change my address, from 6955Wheatland Rd. Keizer, Oregon 97303 to, 7570 Bella Terra, Highland, California. 92346
R.F.
Just a reminder – We do not have access to personal information, therefore, we cannot update or make any changes to your records.
If you get Social Security benefits or are enrolled in Medicare, you can change your address online by using your personal my Social Security account.
Please be cautious about posting personal information on social media. Thanks!
Kwamane h.
I didn’t get my check