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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Vicky G.
I am the POA for a ss recipient – How do I report a death – I have the death certificate
vicky.giorgetti@gmail.com
A.C.
Hi, Vicky. We are sorry to hear about your loss. Typically, funeral homes report deaths to the Social Security Administration directly. You can check with the funeral home to determine if reporting has been done. We hope this helps.
Anne M.
I need to change my direct deposit payments to a different account. It will only let my do it using “my Social Security” but I can’t open a :my Social Security” because I live in Australia and don’t have a US address. I tried to find a paper form to request a change but the website refers me back to opening an account. I’m in a loop, any suggestions?
A.C.
Hi, Anne Marie. For assistance outside of the United States, please contact your local Federal Benefits Unit. You may also find our Office of Earnings & International Operations web page useful. We hope this helps.
Holly K.
I cannot access my account and we have changed emails. How can I get into my account again? I do not know my user name of password.
Judy E.
What fax no. do I send From 7162 to? The Great Falls office faxed it to me but did not attach the fax number I need to send it to.
A.C.
Hi, Judy. It sounds like you live outside of the U.S. If so, please contact your local Federal Benefits Unit for assistance. If you are living in the U.S., please contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Renee D.
My husband and I have been married for one year as of December 18th 2018 but I have not came to the Social Security Administration office to change my last name and he is trying to get disability and put on the application he was single due too I didn’t change my last name will that affect his application.
V.V.
Congratulations on your marriage, Renee! Unfortunately, and because of security reasons, we do not have access to personal records in this blog and cannot update your benefit record. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for details on how to change your name.
Your husband will need to update his application and report his marriage information. He 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. or he can contact his local Social Security office directly. Thanks.
Bessie B.
I want to change my email address in your files but I don’t see any way to do that. How can I change it in your records?
Linda W.
PLEASE put on your website easy to find: what are the hours that you accept reporting changes regarding SSI. I was cut off after waiting too long…too long for me…too long for you. No warning, no advance notice. So, how about posting the hours.
Betty G.
Wellcare rejected my request for coverage because they said I did not apply within the enrollment period. When my husband died the State of Maryland dropped all my medical coverage and did not tell me. Because of this I was allowed to apply for coverage outside the enrollment period. I even had help from SHIP of the Baltimore County Dept. of aging.
Their letter said to get in touch with Social Security. I can’t call WelCare because the automated system insists on my policy numbe and I don’t have one. Cam you help me?
Justin K.
If I have equitable ownership in a home, but the representative failed to document the ownership, and that failed documentation resulted in a 1/3 deduction to the payments each month, am I entitled to the 1/3 that was deducted incorrectly each month?
Justin K.
If I’m getting a 1/3rd deduction to SSI payments and the circumstances change in a way that I’m entitled to the full amount, how long will it take for the changes to take effect so that I get the full payment in my account?