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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James S.
Social worker, rep payee for clients. called social security with client two days ago to report change of address. AFter being on hold for an hour, was told couldn’t do iit online and would have to go in to the office! What a terrible waste of time, and will even take longer, ie, picking up client, parking, waiting, reporting, driving client back home…confused b/c says we can report a change of address on the 800 line…
R.F.
Thank you for your comment James. Individuals that are receiving Social Security benefits, can create a “my Social Security” account to change their address online. However, if you are receiving Supplemental Security Income, you must report the new address to your local Social Security office. You can call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 to make an appointment with your local office. An appointment is not required, but if you call ahead and schedule one, it may reduce the time you spend waiting. Representatives at our toll-free number are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. We apologize for any confusion.
MJ
Hello I filed for SSI for my daughter whom is 2 years old we had a hearing with the alj he told me and my lawyer he was giving us a fully favorable decision. So I called to social security and they told me that it is wanting to be assigned to a writer I wanted to know if I created a my social security account would I be able to see information under my name about her benefits? Or is there anything online that I can use to access and update all the information that needs to be updated
R.F.
Hi MJ, we are sorry but you can only create an account using your own personal information and for your own exclusive use. To provide new information or to talk to someone regarding your daughter’s claim, it is best to continue working with your local field office. Or, you can call our toll free number, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and ask to speak with one of our representatives, who are available Monday through Friday between 7:00am and 7:00pm. Thanks.
Melissa H.
I have been trying to update my last name for month. Every phone call is telling me that they can’t do it until the Social Security office changers it. But my medicare and Social Security cards have been changes. I need it change it on my medicaid card, what do I do.
R.F.
Hi Melissa, please contact your local Medicaid or Medical Assistance office for help.
beth
i have a question.. if the social security disability office over paid me and are now taking a percentage of my work wages, do i refile my income taxes since it would have put me in a different tax bracket ?
R.F.
Hi Beth, for tax questions, you will need to contact the IRS. Their toll-free number is 1-800-829-1040.
Ash
Hi, I need to make a change in citizenship for my daughter who is now a US citizen. Would it be possible for me to go to a Social Security office and present her passport and ID to get this process completed for her, or does she need to show up in person? Currently she is under 18.
Christi
Ok, I somehow had the idea that I did not report income that was so low it did not affect my benefits, but now finding out thats not the case, can i report late? will i get in trouble…I had some small amount of rent paid to me, and just house sat in the past few years.. can I report now?
R.F.
Hi Christi, for any income tax related questions, you will need to contact the IRS. Their toll-free number is 1-800-829-1040.
Jo
I never got my back my this month, they want me to coming the office it’s the last payment I have bills and rent so I’m stressed out. I pray they give it to me I moved and everything has been messed up honestly I wanted better and now I’m living a nightmare… Sad!!!
JP
i started working again this year and i was reporting my wages.recently i received a raise at work and when i try to call to report my wages i can never get through to anyone.im sure i make to much to keep getting payments.i need to know how to inform them to stop payments because of my income because i do not want to have to payback any money.even though i use it to pay rent i have to spend money to buy my work clothes because i dont wear a uniform so it helps and my work pays my bills.
jewellramirez
i need to get into my account unable because e-mail address has changed
R.F.
Hi, if you are having difficulties with your personal my Social Security account, please call 1-800-772-1213 for assistance. After you hear “Briefly tell me why you are calling,” say “Help Desk” for help with a my Social Security account. Sometimes, it might be best to visit your local Social Security office for further assistance.
Desiree
I have been married since December 2011 and have not been able to go to social security to make the change. My husband also does not work but receives a disability. Could I get in trouble for not reporting to ss about my marriage?? I also did not know I had to go to ss 🙁 I just thought that the marriage license we got was an automatic change and reported to ss.
R.F.
Hi Desiree, individuals receiving disability benefits are required to report changes such as marriage, or change of address, etc. If your husband is receiving Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits, his benefit will stay the same after marriage. On the other hand, if he is receiving disability benefits under the Supplemental Security Income or SSI program, getting married may affect his benefits. This is because the amount of SSI benefit is based, in part, on the income and resources available to the individual receiving SSI benefits and the income and resources of his or her spouse. Your husband should contact his local office or call us at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
To see what documents you will need to change or correct your name on your Social Security card, please visit our “Social Security Number and Card” web page. Thank you!