Unreported income means that you worked or had other money come into your household, but you did not inform Social Security or they have no record that you informed them on time.
- Social Security counts income for the month you receive it, not the month you earned it.
- Even if you work for only a short time, you must let Social Security know.
- You must let Social Security know each time the money you receive in a month goes up or down.
You must report new income for a month, or any changes, by the 10th of the next month.
If you had income or your income changed during this month: |
You must tell Social Security about that income no later than this date: |
January |
February 10 |
February |
March 10 |
March |
April 10 |
April |
May 10 |
May |
June 10 |
June |
July 10 |
July |
August 10 |
August |
September 10 |
September |
October 10 |
October |
November 10 |
November |
December 10 |
December |
January 10 |
To prove that you told Social Security on time about changes in income, resources, your address, or your household, this is what you should do:
- Write a letter to Social Security about how your income went up or down, or how the resource, your address, or your household living situation changed. Sign and date the letter. Make a copy of the letter and keep the copy for yourself.
- Make copies of your paystubs, any checks you got, or something showing your new address, and include them with the letter.
- Send the original letter by certified mail with a return receipt requested. You must do this at the post office window. Keep the receipt from the post office.
- Keep the return receipt also, which is the signed post card that comes back to you in the mail showing that Social Security got your letter.
Social Security encourages people on SSI to work by not counting all of their earnings against their SSI. The rules are complicated. Be sure to report all your earnings right away. Also report any expenses you run up in order to work that are caused by your disability. You should talk to a certified work counselor for advice about working while on SSI. You may find general information by going to Social Security’s website at www.socialsecurity.gov.