This handout provides clarification on the information beneficiaries should report to the Social Security Administration (SSA) and how they can report their wages every month based on the disability benefit. Individuals are required to report information to SSA if they receive a Title II disability benefit, including Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Childhood Disability Benefit (CDB), and Disabled Widow/ Widower’s Benefit (DWB), and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) due to a disability.
Title II Programs – SSDI, CDB, DWB Information to Report
- Gross Wages/Earnings and Net Earnings from Self-Employment, including In-Kind Items Received Instead of Wages (e.g., Room and Board)
- Changes in Marital Status – Only Applies to CDB and DWB, not SSDI
- Change of Address Receipt of Public Disability Benefits (e.g., Worker’s Compensation)
- Use of Work Incentives
Title II Methods for Reporting Wages from Employment
- Report Wages Earned During the Previous Month By the 10th of the Current Month
- Use the my Social Security Online Wage Reporting Tool
- Mail, Fax, or Deliver Copies of Paystubs to Local SSA Office
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Information to Report
- Unearned Income (e.e., Social Security Payments, Child Support Payments, Any Cash Received that is Not Earned Income)
- Any Gross Wages/Earnings and Net Earnings from Self-Employment, including In-Kind Items Received Instead of Wages (e.g., Room and Board)
- In-Kind Support and Maintenance Received from Others (i.e., Any Assistance with Food and Shelter Provided By Another Person)
- Change of Address
- Changes in Living Arrangements
- Changes in Marital Status
- Resources or Assets Received that Cause Total Countable Resources to be Over the $2,000 Limit
- Use of Work Incentives
SSI Methods for Reporting Wages from Employment
- Report Wages Paid/Received During the Previous Month By the 6th of the Current Month
- Use the my Social Security Online Wage Reporting Tool
- Mail, Fax, or Deliver Copies of Paystubs to Local SSA Office
- *Free SSA Mobile Wage Reporting App (Available on Apple or Android Devices)
- *Toll-Free SSI Telephone Wage Reporting Service at (866) 772-0953 Relay 711
*Not available to beneficiaries who use work incentives such Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWEs) or need to report information other than wages.
Information Needed to Report Wages and Employment Changes to SSA
Initial Report of Employment Changes
- Wage Earner’s Name, Address, Phone Number, Social Security Number (SSN)
- SSA Disability Benefit(s)
- Employer Name, Address, Phone Number
- Direct Supervisor Name
- Position Title
- Hire/Termination Date
- Pay Rate
- Average Hours Worked Per Week
- Pay Dates
Using SSA Mobile Wage Reporting App or SSI Telephone Wage Reporting Service
- SSN of the Person Making the Wage Report (Caller or Mobile Device User)
- Wage Earner SSN
- All Pay Slips for Wages Paid/Received in the Previous Month for Total Gross Wages (Amount of Pay Before Taxes and Other Deductions)
- Caller’s or Mobile Device User’s Name as Appears on Their Social Security Card
Using a my Social Security Account Online @ ssa.gov
- Active my Social Security Account
- Pay Slips for Wages Paid/Received (SSI) or Earned (Title II) in the Previous Month
WIPA is funded through a Social Security cooperative agreement at U.S. taxpayer expense. Although Social Security reviewed this document for accuracy, it does not constitute an Official Social Security communication.
