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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catherine G.
ridiculous how you expect EVRYONE to have internet access or a PRINTER, I have spent hours trying to get the forms necessary mailed to me.. ( I so NOT trust doing these things on the internet) the paper forms I would like MAILED to me are:
Medicare & Other Health Benefits: Your
Guide to Who Pays First”
Medicare Service Center: 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227)
Department of Health and Human Serv ices Form Approv ed
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Serv ices:
1) OMB No. 0938-0930
Form #
CMS 10106
Form Title
1-800-Medicare Authorization to Disclosure Personal Health Information
2) OMB Control Number: 1530-0015
3)CMS R-285 Request for Retirement Benefit Information
4)submit a WCMSA -can be submitted by paper/CD through the mail.
I really STARTED to just change my name (got married) and the mailing address…Can not get a PAPER FOR>???? Even Information on how, when and where this is required?? so then with these name changes , it will be changed automatically for say IRS, W2’s
R.F.
Hello Catherine. For Medicare forms or publications, please visit http://www.Medicare.gov or contact Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services at 1-800-633-4227 (TTY 1-877-486-2048) for additional information or other questions about this matter.
If you legally change your name because of marriage, divorce, court order or any other reason, you must tell Social Security so you can get a corrected card. You cannot apply for a card online. See our Frequently Asked Questions web page for information on this topic. Thanks!
Michael V.
on 09/16/2018 Ethyl M Riecss passed. Here SS# is *** – ** – ***. Please contact me with info you need from me to stop here benefits and where I need to send.
I Have been on the phone for 1 1/2 hours the estimate was 1 1/4.
All I want is to help you.
Please contact me soon. Or at least acknowledge you got this request.
V.V.
Michael, we are very sorry for your loss. Typically, the funeral director notifies us of an individual’s passing by contacting the local Social Security office. To verify this information was reported, and to make an appointment if someone needs to file for survivor’s benefits, call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. or you can contact your local Social Security office directly.
Daniel O.
I want to update my address
V.V.
Hi Daniel. If you get Social Security benefits (retirement, survivors, or disability) or are enrolled in Medicare, you can create a my Social Security account to change your address online.
If you get SSI, do not have a U.S. mailing address, or are unable to change your address online, you can:
•Call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; or
•Contact your local Social Security office.
If you do not receive Social Security benefits, SSI or Medicare, you do not need to change your address with us.
Susan h.
Want to report the death of my sister
V.V.
Susan, we are very sorry for your loss. Typically, the funeral director notifies us of an individual’s passing by contacting the local Social Security office. To verify this information was reported, call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. or you can contact your local Social Security office directly.
Marie
What if a child stops going to school?
R.F.
Hello Marie. Normally, benefits for children stop when children reach age 18, unless they’re disabled. If the child is still a full-time student at a secondary (or elementary) school at age 18, Social Security benefits will continue until the child graduates or until two months after the child becomes age 19, whichever is first. Thanks!
Susan L.
I lost my Wells Fargo check book and I have a new checking account number, I need to change to the new account # from the one that has been used to make a Direct Deposit of the amount of my SS. I have not been able to find the information to process the change. I called Wells Fargo and was told that I must call you directly.
R.F.
Hello Susan. 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!
DIAN L.
My son Nicholas G. Roseberry passed on 4/25/18 I just wanted to make sure his SSI checks has stopped. We want to make sure that his daughter is not getting them and cashing them. His Birthday is June 11, 1960
R.F.
We are sorry to hear of your loss, Dian.
We should be notified immediately when a person dies. However, you cannot report a death online. In most cases, the funeral home will report the person’s death to us. To verify if the report was made, please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213. 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.
Bonnie S.
I NEED TO CHANGE MY MOTHERS MEDICARE ADDRESS. SHE IS 95 AND DOES NOT USE A COMPUTER. HOW DO I DO THIS.
N.Terrell W.
I N.Terrell White am removing myself as a payee to Katrina Walker as of the date 9/17/2018
R.F.
Unfortunately, but for security reasons, we do not have access to personal records in this blog.
Please contact your local Social Security office to resolve this matter. If you are unable to visit the local office, you can call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213, 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!
Wanda T.
My husband passes away Sept. 8, 2018 and his check was returned. How do I receive his benefits? How long does it take?
R.F.
we are sorry for your loss, Wanda. Unfortunately, you cannot report a death or apply for survivors benefits online. If you need to apply for benefits, call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). You can speak to a Social Security representative between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Generally, you will have a shorter wait time if you call later during the day or later in the week.
You can also visit your local Social Security office. An appointment is not required, but if you call ahead and schedule one, it may reduce the time you spend waiting to speak to someone.