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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Terry G.
When will i finally get my stimulus check? July 18 and no check
V.V.
Hi Terry, thank you for your question. Please visit the IRS Economic Impact Payments Information Center to answer your questions about eligibility, payment amounts, what to expect, when to expect it and more. If you are unable to find the answer, call the IRS hotline at 1-800-919-9835. Thanks!
Gabriela a.
If yr off are close how do i get my quest ans. This is about if u move from stat. To stat where and I rep and why can’t anybody help me my 210-350-4701 Plz help
V.V.
Hi Gabriela, thanks for using our blog. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
ARMANDO V.
I WANT TO REPORT THE DEATH OF MY OLDER SISTER ON 06/25/2020. I TRIED CALLING BUT I WAS PUT ON HOLD FOR 1 HOUR.
PLEASE HELP ME.
jeff w.
why do the people on unemployment get the extra $600 Pandemic Unemployment Compensation but the people on ssdi are not getting this . we have the same bills as every one out there .
Rita R.
I am trying to change the my address online.
I can LOGIN OK.
When I click on “CHANGE MY ADDRESS” , I fill out the requested information.
However, at the end, it asks me my ‘ACTIVATION Code”.
I was not given an Activation Code.
How do I get one ?
K.O.
Hi Rita, thank you for using our blog. An activation code is provided after visiting a Social Security field office with identification. A representative in the office will verify your identity and issue you a letter containing an activation code. Our field offices are currently closed. To create a my Social Security account, click on Create New Account. We hope this helps.
JOHN H.
Dear SSA, I have changed my email address and received a one time reset code. Now I want to enter the one-time reset code in the appropriate place in order to register with SSA and Medicare. Please assist. Thank you.
K.O.
Hi John, thank you for using our blog. When you sign in with your username and password, it will then ask if you received a reset letter. You select “Yes, let’s begin”. The reset code is issued when you need to change the second factor authentication method associated with your information.
If you forgot your password, and the password reset questions didn’t work, we can send a temporary password in some circumstances. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for details on how to retrieve or change your username or password. We hope this helps.
Chris W.
My understanding of how SSA pays benefits, after reading several retirement websites, s that SS benefits are paid out a month behind.
Example: Benefits paid in May are for April and benefits paid in June are for the month of May.
My father passed away in May so why would SSA deduct May SS Benefits when they are for the month of April. I understand the month of June would not be available but it doesn’t follow the rule as outlined within SSA documentation when benefits are one month behind to take back SSA benefits paid in May for some who passed away in May.
V.V.
Hi Chris, we are very sorry for your loss. To be eligible for a Social Security benefit payment, a person has to live throughout the entire month. We can’t pay benefits for the month of death. If the deceased was receiving Social Security benefits, you must return the benefit received for the month of death or any later months. For example, if the person dies in May, you must return the benefit paid in June and continuing. If the payment received in May was returned, please contact your local Social Security office to process an underpayment.
MAUREEN D.
I received my first SSA Retirement payment in April 2020. In May 2020, EDD determined that I am eligible to receive Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (“PEUC”). My weekly benefit amount is $167.00 (plus the addition of the $600 per week stimulus payment through July 25, 2020). Am I required to report the PEUC payments even though it is not earned income? Will the PEUC benefit payments cause my SSA payment to be reduced; and, if so, by how much? Will my SSA be stopped altogether? I have not been able to find this topic on the SSA website. Thank you for your help.
Walter F.
My email has changed from Sarah’s.domitrovich@gmail.com to the new one posted
V.V.
Hi Walter, thank you for your question. After you sign in to your my Social Security account, you can update your email address. After inputting your username and password, you will be at the security code screen. If you receive your security code via email only, then indicate that you cannot access the options listed above and need to reset where you receive security codes. We will then send you a letter with a reset code and instructions.
Charles
I reported my income for 2020 27000 dollars so my checks don’t start until June but my income has changed to 11000 dollars for 2020 will I get all my checks this year
V.V.
Hi Charles, thanks for using our blog. To update your 2020 income estimate, please call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can contact your local Social Security office. Look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.