What information am I supposed to report to Social Security?
Below is a chart that provides general direction about what beneficiaries need to report to Social Security. Keep in mind that for the SSI program, these reporting requirements apply not only to the SSI eligible individual, but also to the parents of SSI recipients under 18 and to the spouses of SSI eligible individuals.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
1. Unearned income including things like other Social Security payments, child support payments, or any other cash received that is not earned income.
2. Any gross wages/earnings and net earnings from self-employment. This includes in-kind items received in lieu of wages (like room and board).
3. In-kind support and maintenance received from others. This includes any assistance with food and shelter provided by another person.
4. Change of address.
5. Changes in living arrangements.
6. Changes in marital status.
7. Resources or assets received that cause
8. Use of any specific work incentives.
Title II Disability Programs (SSDI, CDB, DWB)
1. Any gross wages/earnings and net earnings from self-employment. This includes in-kind items received in lieu of wages (like room and board).
2. Changes in marital status (only applies to CDB and DWB – not SSDI).
3. Change of address.
4. Receipt of any public disability benefits such as Worker’s Compensation.
5. Use of any specific work incentives.
** Unearned income and resources are not considered by the Title II disability programs, thus are not required to be reported to Social Security.
Remember that it is your responsibility to promptly report all relevant changes to the Social Security Administration and any other federal, state, or local entity administering benefits you receive.
Reporting wages or earnings to SSA
To prevent over-payments from Social Security, you should
regularly report your wages within six days
of the end of the month. You can report your wages by bringing pay stubs to your local Social Security office. Find an office near you by visiting the Social Security office locator.
When reporting employment initially, or employment changes, the critical information to report includes:
• Name, address and phone number of employing company
• Name of direct supervisor
• Date of hire/date of termination
• Pay rate and average number of hours worked per week
• Pay dates
• Job title
How to Report Your Wages for SSDI
I recommend you
log into your Social Security account at
(
http://www.ssa.gov/myaccount
)
and report your earnings each month. Individuals receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and their representative payees may use
my Social Security
to report wages online.
How to report your wages for SSI
1.You are able to report your earnings via phone by calling
1-866 -772 -0953. Please call in the first week of the month to report the previous month. Please have ready your social security # and total amount of gross earnings in the month and please save your pay stubs. This is really easy option since you don’t have to travel every month to the local social security office and you will also avoid over-payments.
2. Mobile app - If you have a smartphone, Social Security's SSI provides easy ways to report your wages.
3. By requesting SSA to
estimate your monthly earnings
in that way you won’t have to go to the SSA office every month. In the event that you work less in a month SSA will pay you back the different.
How to report your wages if you are concurrent receiving SSI and SSDI
If you receive both SSI and SSDI, when you report your earnings, it may be helpful for you to make two copies of your information; one copy for Social Security staff who handle the SSDI program and another copy for staff who handle the SSI program. You are not required to do this, but if you decide to, having two copies of your wage information may make it easier for Social Security to process your wages.
If you are self-employed
, you need to report that to Social Security – even if you are not making a profit. Be sure to file your taxes promptly with the IRS and send a copy of your tax returns to Social Security.
SSA beneficiaries should submit their pay stubs to the local Social Security office within six days after the month in which the wages were paid.
Some Field Offices may ask you to mail pay stubs less often. If you don’t report each month, make sure your estimated earnings are correct so you will not be overpaid.
Do Not assume that the check you receive from Social Security is correct and has had wages accounted for. You need to know what your check should be and watch to make sure adjustments are made.
If you are getting checks or direct deposits that you think you may not be entitled to
– do NOT spend them
! Deposit them in the bank while you work with Social Security to get the record updated.
Timely wage reporting helps prevent over-payments from Social Security. An over-payment occurs when Social Security has paid you more than you should have been paid in accordance with the rules of your benefits.
If you are overpaid, you may be required to repay the government. In an over-payment situation, Social Security will alert you and your representative payee, if you have one. The notice will explain why you have been overpaid, and how you must repay the money. The notice will also include your appeal and waiver rights.
If you have additional questions about how to report earnings to SSA please contact your local WIPA project at 305-453-3491
-Lesly Q.
