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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Lois J.
What address do I send a change in the deductions on the check?
Thanks
I have filled out the form, but it does not say where to mail it.
V.V.
Thank you for using our blog, Lois. Form W-4V (to withhold federal taxes from your Social Security benefits) can be returned to your local Social Security office by mail or in person. See our “Benefits Planner: Withholding Income Tax From Your Social Security Benefits” web page for more information. Thanks!
Glenn
Call back number regarding bank account change. My #c914-220-2140 call me.
R.F.
Hello Glenn, if you already receive benefits (retirement, survivors, or disability) and you have a bank account, you can start or update your direct deposit by using your personal my Social Security account. Thanks!
Javier R.
I need to stop my social security because my income exceeds my social security benefits. I was not aware to report my income by the 10th of every month.
Carrie C.
My sister received a letter from the Social Security office that she had been underpaid on her monthly benefit for herself and also the amount she receives from her deceased husband. The notice said she will receive the correct benefit amounts effective 8-18. She was told that she would not be paid the difference between what she was paid and what she should have received. She was told SSA does not pay underpayments. This doesn’t make sense. Can you let me know if this is accurate and where it says that in SSA regulations? Thank you.
R.F.
Hello Carrie. Unfortunately, and because of security reasons we do not have access to personal records in this blog and cannot answer your question at this time.
Your sister should call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance. One of our agents should be able to provide her with an explanation.
Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Generally, callers will have a shorter wait time when they call later during the day or later in the week. Thanks!
Grace C.
Direct deposit change
R.F.
Hello Grace, please see our Frequently Asked Questions web page for information on this topic. Thanks!
Lisa B.
How hard would it be for me to get my disability back. I lost it because my address didn’t get into the computers correctly.
R.F.
Hello Lisa. Unfortunately, and because of security reasons we do not have access to personal records in this blog. In your situation, you will need to speak with one of our agents and get the correct guidance as to what to do next. 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. Or contact your local Social Security office directly. Thanks!
Barbara M.
My 90-year-old mother has moved in with me and we need to change her direct deposit. I can’t seem to find the change form. Please help.
R.F.
Hello Barbara, your mother can change her address and update her direct deposit information on her benefit record, online by using a my Social Security account. If she does not wish to create an account or cannot make these changes online, she will have to call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Or contact her local Social Security office directly.
If your mother needs help managing her Social Security benefits, you can apply to be her Representative Payee. Please note that having a power of attorney, or having a joint bank account with the beneficiary, is not the same as being a payee. As a representative payee, you will be able to talk with us and have access to your mother’s records. In the future, it will make it easier for you to update her account information. We require a face-to-face interview with the person who wishes to apply to be his new representative payee.
For more information or to make an appointment call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213. 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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Kathleen S.
I want to report extra income. Kathleen Sunrhodes.
R.F.
Hello Kathleen. If you receive benefits or have Medicare, you can se your personal my Social Security account to report your wages if you work and receive Disability Insurance (DI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. This service is not currently available to people who receive Social Security retirement benefits.
Please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 for further assistance. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Thanks!
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