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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Misty
My son was receiving payments from his father’s ssi. He stopped getting them at 18 but was still a SR in high school for an additional 8 months. I filled out the paperwork accordingly but his benefits still stopped. What can I do?
Vonda
Hi Misty, thanks for using our blog. Please call 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.
Darryl M.
I receive ssdi and I’m retired with a city pension I just received a letter from workers comp that I will receive a reward of 12.5 % do I have to report this to ssdi or medicare . and will my monthly benefits change.
Vonda
Hi Darryl, thanks for using our blog to ask your question. Disability payments from private sources, such as private pensions or insurance benefits, don’t affect your Social Security disability benefits. Workers’ compensation and other public disability benefits, however, may reduce your Social Security benefits and must be reported. To report your worker’s compensation, please 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.
Ahmad T.
Would you please let me know how long it takes adjust my SSI benefits when I report any change to my income. Thanks
Edward J.
How do I change my marital status?
Vonda
Hi Edward, thanks for using our blog. If you’re receiving benefits, and your marital status will affect those benefits, please report it. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can call 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.
C J.
Is there a form for changing from direct deposit to a mailed check?
Keith
Hello, C Jess. Thanks for reading the blog and asking a question. Typically, we do not send paper checks. There is a law that went into effect March 1, 2013 requiring electronic payment of Social Security and Supplement Security Income benefits. Treasury can grant exceptions in rare circumstances. For more information or to request a waiver, call Treasury at 855-290-1545. We hope this helps.
Lou T.
What is the process to change my mother’s home address with Social Security/Medicare. My mother’s physical & mental condition prevents her from making the change herself.
Vonda
Hi Lou, thanks for using our blog. Because of privacy and security concerns, you will not be able to conduct Social Security business on behalf of your mother unless you are her representative payee. Having a power of attorney, being an authorized representative, or having a joint bank account with your mother does not authorize you to access information on her Social Security record. If your mother does not have a representative payee and she is not capable of managing and directing her Social Security benefits, someone should consider applying to be her payee. To learn more about becoming a representative payee, you can read our publication, “A Guide for Representative Payees” or visit our Representative Payee webpage. To apply to be your mother’s representative payee, please call 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.
Linda M.
I’m having my foot amputated and will be going to a nursing home for rehab. Is there a limit on how many days I can be in a nursing facility before I lose my benefits?
Vonda
Hi Linda, thanks for using our blog. If you need information about Medicare Savings Programs, Medicare Advantage Plans, Medicare Prescription Drug plans, or the covered services, please call 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY 1-877-486-2048) or visit http://www.medicare.gov. We hope this helps.
Pagi F.
Hello
My son receives disability benefits and he has a part time job. I need to know, how does he report his earnings? Do you guys automatic check his earnings or do I need to report them?
Betty M.
My income has decreased. Am I entitled to an increase in ssa benefits?
Vonda
Hi Betty, thanks for using our blog. If we are withholding benefits because of estimated earnings which will now be lower, 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.
Neal C.
I had to cancel my bank account and open a new account. How do I inform social security of my new account number for direct deposit reasons
Vonda
Hi Neal, thanks for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for details on how to sign up or change direct deposit. We hope this is helpful!