Always Report Changes to Your Social Security Disability Status

When a person is awarded Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits, the amount they receive is based on several factors including income, work history, marital status, and even the number of dependents the claimant cares for. That’s why after you’re approved for SSD benefits, it’s crucial to immediately report any changes in your life to the Social Security Administration (SSA).

The law states that when Social Security beneficiary’s income or status changes, the SSA must receive notice within 10 days of the end of the month in which the change occurred. Any failure to meet this deadline could result in delays or forfeiture of benefits.

The Social Security Disability lawyers at Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin explain that some of the most common changes in life that warrant the SSA receiving an update include:

• Changes in work or income status
• Moving
• Traveling longer than 30 days
• Marriage
• Divorce
• The birth of a child
• Death of a dependent
• Approval to receive other benefits

If changes aren’t updated within 10-days, the SSA may choose to require the beneficiary to pay back a certain amount in Social Security Disability benefits. The agency may also choose to place sanctions on payments for a period of time or halt payments all together, depending on the severity of the infraction.

If you’d like to learn more about the details of reporting changes to the SSA, take a look at the agency’s What You Need To Know When You Get Social Security Disability Benefits publication.