Disability, General, Retirement, SSI, Survivors

Reporting Changes is Your Responsibility

December 10, 2015 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last Updated: November 6, 2023

a picture of a hand on a laptop keyboard.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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About the Author

Doug Walker, Deputy Commissioner, Communications

Deputy Commissioner, Office of Communications

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Comments

  1. June B.

    I need to change my back account number for my direct deposit.

  2. June B.

    I need to change my bank account number for my direct deposit.

  3. June B.

    I need to report a new bank account number for my direct deposit.

  4. Linda S.

    Why can’t I locate the information to answer a simple question such as:
    I married in 2017 and want to insure SS is aware of this change in my status.

  5. Kathie H.

    I need to change my banking info asap I have to close my checking account because of fraud charges showing up on my account. Please Please send my check to my home address until I can clear things up and open a new account if my check gets deposited I will loose all my money to pay for overdraft charges caused by those fraud charges that I did not authorize. The bank is not willing to deduct the overdraft charges until I get a refund on those fraud charges and that will take some time to research. Kathie Hayes
    89 Alan Rd Carriere MS 39426

  6. Paula M.

    I have recently married and need to know how to change my name on my pay back correspondence.
    Please advise.

    • R.F.

      Congratulations, Paula. If you legally change your name because of marriage, you can get a corrected card. You cannot apply for a card online. For complete instructions, on how to change or correct your name on your Social Security number card, visit our Frequently Asked Questions web page.
      There is no charge for a Social Security card. This service is free. We hope this information helps!

  7. Carol L.

    This is a question for my elderly mother, for whom I handle her financial affairs. She has a new bank account. How do we move the automatic deposits for her Social Security retirement benefits from the old account to the new account. Is there a form that needs to be filled out?

    • R.F.

      Hello Carol, please see our Frequently Asked Questions web page for information on this topic. Thanks!

  8. McShell B.

    Change my Address how change my address .New #is 3210 S.Sandhill Apt 304Las Vegas , NV 89121

    • R.F.

      We do not have access to personal records in this blog. If you get Social Security benefits (retirement, survivors, or disability) or are enrolled in Medicare, you can change your address online by using a my Social Security account. Thanks!

  9. Ann G.

    assisting friend who does not have computer. She has changed banks. She needs a change of direct deposit form. Is there one on SSA.gov?

  10. Richard D.

    What are the steps to take to inform SSA of our (re-)marriage? (Second marriage for one of us; third marriage for the other. The marriage occurred in September, 2004 ).

    • R.F.

      Please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance. 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!

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