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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Charlene B.
My name is Charlene Bucksell,recently I tried to change my email but was told I couldn’t use that one and Im locked out of my social security account.I want to be able to get in my act.with my previous email.Thanks
Vonda
Hi Charlene, thanks for using our blog. Sorry to hear you are having difficulties with your my Social Security account. For assistance with your account, you may call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) 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.
Kevin A.
I found out that Social Security had my wrong birthdate . I have a copy of my original birth certificate and it is notorized. How do I get this info to SS since offices are closed. I am getting ready to retire and need to apply.
Vonda
Hi Kevin, thanks for using our blog. To correct your date of birth on your Social Security record, you will need to apply for a corrected Social Security card. Visit our Learn What Documents You Need for details on the documentation requirements. Under the heading, “Type of Card,” select “Corrected” for a list of the documents needed. You will need to provide evidence of your age (for example, a U.S. public birth certificate) and current documentation for evidence of identity. For complete instructions, go to the Social Security Number and Card web page.
If you have additional questions regarding the process, 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.
Geoffrey F.
If i fail to report change of address to SSI for over a year or more. Do i lose my payment for a month.
Vonda
Hi Geoffrey, thanks for using our blog. You should 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.
Richard C.
My name is Richard Chaney and my Primary Care Physican just changed fields so I had to choose a new one, do I need to notify you of my new Primary Care Physician? Wasn’t sure if this was necessary or not. Thank you I’m on SSDI
Pam J.
I am separated from my husband. Will this change my income
Vonda V.
Hi Pam, thanks for using our blog. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a benefit program for disabled adults and children who have limited income and resources. There are times when SSI benefit determinations are affected by an applicant’s living arrangement. It is important to let us know promptly when any change occurs that could affect benefits. To report the change, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213 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.
Tristan J.
Hi my name is Tristan Johnson and I recently got married. My now husband and I had the same last name before getting and I wanted to know what the process was for getting my marital status changed to reflect that I’m married now.
Vonda V.
Hello Tristan, if you get Social Security disability or retirement benefits and you marry, your benefit will stay the same. See “If I get married, will it affect my benefits” for more information. Thanks!
Erica N.
I need to report a change on Job. I started a new job> Dossani Paradise Management on September 23 , 2020
Erica Nicole Munoz
8834 Branchwood Trail
Fort Worth Tx 76116
Vonda V.
Hi Erica, thanks for using our blog. Please 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.
kibbysblendedlife.com
If you knowingly make a statement which is false or misleading or knowingly fail to report important changes, we may impose a sanction against your payments. The first sanction period is a withholding of payments for 6 months. Subsequent sanction periods are for 12 months and then 24 months.
Salvador E.
My wife just become A U S citizen. we were told to call Social security office regarding change in status. SSA will not give us an appt because of covid 19. what is next to comply.
Vonda V.
Hi Salvador, thanks for using our blog. Your wife will need to update her Social Security record by showing us her Certificate of Naturalization and completing an application for a replacement card. All documents must be either originals or certified copies by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents. If she does not want to mail in her documents, which will be returned, she may need to wait for the offices to reopen. Use our Social Security Office Locator to find your local office address.
Visit our Social Security Number and Card web page for details on requesting a new, replacement or corrected Social Security card.
Caroline M.
My name is Caroline Marose and I am at 6220 S. Alaska Street Tacoma, WA 98408 and my phone number is 253-476-5360 or 253-476-5300 I’m at a nursing rehabilitation center at Alaska gardens and I’m letting you know that there has been a change my mother passed away September 15, 2020 At 12:00 noon. I need to know if I will get more money since my mom died I was born mentally handicapped since I was a baby
Vonda V.
We are very sorry for your loss, Caroline. 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 inquire about benefits, please 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.