If you are a Social Security disability beneficiary and receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and you have returned to work, you are required to report your wages to the Social Security Administration (SSA). In this post, we will explain in detail everything you need to know about SSI wage reporting, including what is considered wages, wages of other people you have to report, what specific information you need to report, and how often you have to report your wages.
This post will cover:
- Types of SSI Income you have to report to Social Security
- Why you have to Report SSI Wages
- Who Must Report SSI Wages to Social Security?
- How to Report your SSI Wages
- What Happens if I Don’t Report My Income to Social Security
- SSI Wage Reporting FAQs
What is Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?
The Supplemental Security Income program pays benefits to disabled adults and children who have limited income and resources. SSI benefits also are payable to people 65 and older without disabilities who meet the financial limits.
Types of SSI Income you have to report to Social Security
Earnings for supplemental security income (SSI) purposes are wages and self–employment income that you get from working.
You or a representative payee, on your behalf, must report income received by you, your spouse, and/or your child from the following sources:
| Types of Income SSI Recipients Must Report to Social Security | |
| Wages – including overtime and bonuses | Workers’ Compensation |
| Net Earnings from Self-Employment | State Disability Payments |
| Federal, State or Local Assistance Based on Need | Insurance or Annuity Payments |
| Refugee Cash Assistance | Interest or Dividends |
| Temporary Assistance for Needy Families | Royalties |
| General Assistance | Gifts |
| Bureau of Indian Affairs Income | Rental/Lease Income |
| Disaster Relief | Lottery/Gambling Winnings/Prizes |
| Military Allowance and Pay | Alimony |
| Military Pension | Child Support |
| Veterans Benefits | Settlements and Awards, including Court -Ordered Awards |
| Office of Personnel Management Benefits | Proceeds of a Life Insurance Policy |
| Private Pension | Inheritance of Cash or Property |
| Foreign Pension | Social Security Benefits |
| Black Lung Benefits | Strike Pay or Other Union Benefits |
| Railroad Retirement Benefits | If someone gives you food or free housing |
| Civil Service Benefits | If someone helps pay for your food, utilities, rent, or mortgage |
| Unemployment Compensation | Any Other Income or Support Not Mentioned |
Why you have to Report SSI Wages
If you receive SSI, the law requires that you report any income you receive, which includes your wages.
Because SSI is a needs-based program, the amount you can receive is based, in part, on the income available to you.
Reporting your wages each month helps the Social Security Administration ensure that your SSI payment is timely and accurate.
Generally, the more income available to you, the less the SSI benefits you will receive.
To see how your earned or unearned wages affect your SSI benefits, use learn how to calculate your SSI benefits.
Who Must Report SSI Wages to Social Security?
Here are the categories of people required by the Social Security Administration to report SSI wages.
- If you receive SSI benefits, you must report any earnings from work or any other money or assistance that you, your spouse or
children living in your household receive. - If you are the representative payee for an adult who receives SSI benefits, you must report any income that the individual, his or
her spouse, or children living in the recipient’s household receive. - If you are the parent or representative payee for a child under age 18 who receives SSI benefits, you must report any income that
the child, his or her parent(s) or brother(s) or sister(s) receive.
Basics about SSI Wage Reporting
When you start a new job, you must notify the Social Security Administration and provide them with the following
information:
- Your name and Social Security number
- Name of your employer
- Number of hours you work each week
- Hourly rate
- Date you began working
Also, you are required to notify SSA when:
- Your pay and hours increase or decrease
- Your job ends or you get a new job
How to Report your SSI Wages
There are four ways you can report your SSI wages.
Option 1 – Online through my Social Security Account
The first option available to you to report your SSI wages is online through the mySocial Security account.
As of June 2018, Social Security expanded the availability of its online wage reporting service to people who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and to people who receive both SSI and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
In addition, other people, such as your parents, spouse, sponsors, or representative payee, may also report your wages using the new service.
However, to use the service, you must have a current my Social Security account.
If you need help creating my Social Security account, see our post – How to Create my Social Security Account.
To login to your my Social Security account, click here.
If you already have an account but need help logging in, see our post on – How to Login my Social Security Account.
Option 2 – Call Social Security
The second option to reporting your SSI wages is to call the Social Security Administration’s toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 to reach your local Social Security office location.
For the deaf or hearing-impaired, call TTY 1-800-325-0778.
Option 3 – SSI Mobile Wage Reporting
If you have a smartphone, Social Security’s SSI mobile wage reporting app provides easy ways to report your wages.
The app allows SSI recipients and their families to report their monthly wages to Social Security from the convenience of their smartphone.
You can download the SSI Mobile Wage Reporting app in the Google Play Store here if you have an Andriod device.
In addition, the app is available for iPhones – and you can download it here.
The short video below explains how the mobile wage reporting process works.
Option 4 – Visit your local Social Security Office
The third option for reporting your SSI wages is to visit your local Social Security office. To find an office location near you, click here.
SSI Wage Reporting FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions about SSI Wage reporting rules and processes.
How often do you have to report your SSI Wages?
Report new income or any change in income as soon as it happens, but no later than the 10th day of the month following the change.
For example, if work begins May 22, report immediately, but no later than June 10.
What is the SSI wage reporting phone number?
If you receive SSI benefits and are currently earning income and would like to report your wages over the phone, here is the number to call:
Call the Social Security Administration’s toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 to reach your local Social Security office location.
For the deaf or hearing-impaired, call TTY 1-800-325-0778.
Do I have to report Wages if I am in Ticket to Work Program?
If you participate in the Ticket to Work Program, you are also required to report your earnings.
You should report your earnings to the employment network or state vocational rehabilitation agency that is helping you reach your work goals.
What Happens if I Don’t Report My Income to Social Security
At the very least, you may find yourself in the situation of owing Social Security money (an overpayment), and at the worst, you may find yourself being charged with Social Security fraud.
If it is determined that Social Security has overpaid you SSI disability benefits, your benefits may be suspended until they collect all the money owed, or you may be allowed to make a payment arrangement with Social Security to pay back any money owed.
It is therefore in your interest to report all work activity to avoid overpayment and prevent your disability benefits from being suspended or terminated.
SSI Wage Reporting Summary
We hope this post on SSI Wage Reporting was helpful.
If you have further questions about Social Security, SSI, or SSDI, please let us know in the comments section below.
Be sure to check out our other articles on Social Security including SSI Benefit Payment Calculator, SSI payments Schedule, Social Security Questions and Answers, Is there Amazon Prime Discount for Seniors or AARP, and SSI Wage Reporting Phone Number.