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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Pushing 6.
I turn 66 in July and plan to sign up for Social Security benefit. Because I am working full time right now and plan to continue working past FRA, in this first year of collecting social security, will I be penalized at year end for working full time during the period January-June that I am not full retirement age?
R.F.
Congratulations! At 66 years young, you will reach full retirement age in July 2016. You can earn up to $41,880 during the period January – June. If you exceed that amount, we must deduct $1 from your benefits for each $3 you earn above $41,880. Starting with the month you reach your full retirement age, you can get your benefits with no limit on your earnings. Please read out publication “How Work Affects Your Benefits” for more information.
Robin
I just wanted to apologize for such a lengthy post! Just frustrated, and homeless!
Maggie R.
Robin-
I just want to add that I find it truly sickening & I’m disgusted & appalled that not a single person had the decency to respond to your post.
I’m not an expert and am struggling myself just to get by, but I figure at least one suggestion is better than none at all, so all I can think of is to try to get a another social security lawyer!!!!
I wish you the best of luck and considering your post was at least 2 years ago, I.hope you have received the help that you’ve obviously needed!
God bless you!
Robin
I filed for Disability I believe over 3 yrs ago &, been denied 3 xs, but my attorney filed for an appealed 3 times! I finally got my hearing & my attorney told me that day “Everything went great, you have nothing to worry about!” That was in August 2015, since then I received paperwork from Disability saying the judge did not feel that Im considered to be “Disabled”!
I want so bad to go stand in front of that huge and say, “I’m standing in front of you with a disability that you can not see with your eyes….i don’t have limbs that don’t work or visible scars everywhere! For almost 25 years I have lived with this disability is inside me! ( Major Manic Depression, Severe OCD, Severe Anxiety, Social Anxiety Disorder, Bipolar, ect.) That is only the Mental Disabilities & believe me having just one of those illnesses can control your life on a way that functioning in the real world is next to impossible!! I have not even mentioned the physical disabilities I deal with every day!! I was born with no curve in my neck, so there for per my chiropractors orders cant lift anything over 5 pounds! I have osteoarthritis of the spine, arthritis in my hand, fingers, feet, toes! I have degenerated disc disease in my neck, middle / shoulder area & lower back! My fingers & toes are completely numb most days! I have mitral valve prolapse, I have tumors (hemangiomas in my liver) , severe endometriosis! And on top of all that in Nov 2011 I came down with a Very Severe Case Of The Shingle Virus On The Left Side Of My Face! I had the ras & blisters from my jaw/ear ,cheek,my nose on my eye , in my eye,(herpes zoster of left eye & l since 2011 I have had to suffer with post neuralgic nerve pain on & around my eye! It covered the whole left side of me head all the way back to my neck! As i said, at first the virus was on my eye…then it got in my eye…my left eye filled with scar tissue inside & I also have started getting scar tissue on the cornea now! Because of this I have to take the antiviral acyclovir 2 xs a say for the rest of my life! My vision is so bad I have to wear contacts plus reading glasses! With just contact I can not see my fingers in from of my face or my food on my plate! Since my first outbreak in Nov. 2011 of the Herpes Zosters’ Virus, I have had the vaccine & continue to take acyclovir 400mg 3 times daily for the rest of my life….i have had 4 more out breaks of Shingles just in the last year in a half alone!
With the list of illnesses comes medication & doctor, lab work, test, Psychiatrist visits, counselors & Optometrist (Specialist) which means $$$! I have no Job , no car, no $, and no place to live! My PRESCRIPTIONS ALONE ARE CLOSE TO $ 1,500 MONTH!! MY vision is getting worse because more scare tissue is continuing to grow covering my cornea (the doctors told me that nothing could be done to remove the severe scare tissue, such as Lasik, ext.) Once again my lawyer filed an appeal, but that was in August 2015….im lost here! HELP ME PLEASE!!!!
mary
I am on disability. Can I earn any money and not hurt my SS payments. Thank you
R.F.
Hi Mary. You can try to return to work while receiving Social Security disability benefits. We have special rules to help you get back to work without jeopardizing your initial benefits. You can learn more about how work can affect your benefits by reading our publication, “Working while Disabled- How We Can Help”. Keep in mind that whether you are receiving Social Security or Supplemental Security Income, it is important to let us know promptly when you start or stop working, or if any other change occurs that could affect your benefits. For specific questions and to report changes and update your benefit records, please contact your local office or call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. We hope this helps.
Ricky
What if someone fails to report earned income and subsequently makes more than the allowed $1130 a month on SSDI?
Lillie B.
I thank we should get more SSI I worked when i was 14 yr old and paid ssi now and then, at that time then raised my family now 88 I worked 25 yr worked until i was 65, now i only 1.350 to live on . Looks like i should get a little more to pay rent, and live on.
gary
I received a note from the SS Office saying the cost of living has not increased last year, so SS recipients will receive no increase at all. I know when I buy food, propane, and electricity they all have increased. Fees at local Parks, Zoos, and Amusement areas have increased. Since we Taxpayers who paid into Social Security for 50 or maybe 60 years and more are being told it doesn’t cost more to live are they comedians? Since the majority of SS recipients are not going to live much longer it appears the excuses are sort of silly. Trillions in Bailouts for Wall Street, Banks, and Insurance Corporations who increased Premiums and Loan Rates which did impact the Retired yet not even 2% for the ones who live on it. Since I am falling apart and wearing out from hard labor in the mines I know I’ll never make 75.
Marc
I can’t get over the number of people who gripe and blame Social Security because there’s no COLA this year. The CONGRESS decides thst,c every year, NOT Social Security! And who is in the MAJORITY in Congress and has been deciding to CUT CUT CUT what they call “entitlements” meaning Social Security and Medicare? Yes, the REPUBLICAN MAJORITY! Does PAUL RYAN ring a bell? You know, the guy who is trying to push through the policy of GETTING RID OF MEDICARE and instead giving each state a “grant” to hand to Medicare recipients in the amount of $500/year to BUY health insurance on the open market? Riiiight. Like that’s going to work. And his plan to PRIVATIZE Social Security, meaning to give every dime in it to PRIVATE INVESTMENT COMPANES to “invest?” Gee, how well did THAT work in 2008 when the stock market CRASHED and you lost half your 401k??? Because the R Republicans had done away with pensions so we could have more “control” over our own savings? If you’re going to blame and gripe, at least blame the RIGHT people. YOU VOTED FOR THESE THIEVES AND I’M TALKING ABOUT THE MAJORITY REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS! So STOP putting these idiot crooks in office! Anyone who votes for these Republicans again DESERVES what they get – too bad you’re dragging the rest of us down with you.
Richard L.
Gentlemen:
I am well beyond the age for penalties against my monthly benefit (74 years) but I have been working as a school bus driver part time and wonder if the SS I have been having taken from my weekly pay check would increase my monthly check. I have heard nothing from you folks and thought a little note from me would spark a look see.
R.F.
Hello Mr. Johnson, the benefit amount that you’re receiving, is based on the amount of your average lifetime earnings. Under current law, we used the highest 35 years of earnings to compute an individual’s benefit amount. Each year, we review the records for all working Social Security recipients to see if additional earnings may increase monthly benefits. If an increase is due, a new monthly benefit amount is established on your record automatically. We notify individuals about any changes in their benefits. If you have additional questions, please call our toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), representatives are available between 7AM and 7PM, Monday through Friday. You will generally have a shorter wait time if you call later in the week. Hope this helps!
Ace
Thank God for SSA.
Jerry H.
I find it interesting we always get the same “canned answers” and have been for years. We call, its busy and same answer. Change of address is easy to a point….try it if you are out of country. Can’t do it. Why? Because it only accepts a US address. I’ve been retired overseas since 2006. You were notified then and every two years I get the same what I consider threatening letter reminding me I need to notify you. Which I do call and get the same non response. I come and go. I do need to keep informing SS every time I re-enter the USA or leave. Immigration has that info but SS doesn’t need it. Because my retirement status hasn’t change and as long as I do not live in a restricted country and all my money goes into a US Bank, so who cares? I do not need to be threatened by the “benefits cut off for 6 months”. SS needs to have a better way of reporting changes than it does now. People who are in 10-15 hour time differences or get their mail in two to three weeks due to poor country mail service need a break. I suggest the website add a page for foreign travelers. Issue solved.
R.F.
Jerry, we apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your feedback. Under current law, we are required to periodically verify if individuals living outside the United States are still eligible for Social Security benefits. Remember for any assistance related to your Social Security benefits, please contact your local U.S. embassy or consulate. Also, our Office of International Operations home page provides more information to assist our customers living abroad. We hope this information helps.
Amy
Ok my I get survivors benefits and my son gets ssi benefits, both of our money comes on the same card thru direct express. The question is my son is fixing to stay with my sister she will earn temporary guardianship over him how do I go about getting a separate debit card with just his money for my sister???
R.F.
For help regarding Direct Express, please contact Direct Express at 1-800-333-1795. Thanks!