REPORTING WAGES

It is very important that individuals who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) report gross wages to the Social Security Administration (SSA). Reporting of wages should be done monthly and in a timely manner. the Social Security Administration (SSA) recommends that individuals report wages during the first six days of the month. Why? According to the Social Security Administration (SSA) it assists in preventing any overpayments and underpayments to individuals.

Who Should Report Wages?
Individuals who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) who work and/or the individual’s deemor with whom the beneficiary resides with.
According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), a deemorrefers to the spouse or parent (who is ineligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI)) of the individual who is receiving or who is eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

Why Should a Deemor’s Wages Be Reported?
A deemor’s income and assets are taken into account when the Social Security Administration (SSA) determines an individual’s eligibility and the amount of payment to be distributed. The payment amount distributed relies, in part, on how much income or resources are available to the individual receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

If the Social Security Administration (SSA) determines that there is more income readily available to an individual who is eligible or receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the less of a Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payment/benefit will be given to an individual.

What Happens If I Do Not Report?
If individuals who receive or are eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) do not report wages or any changes in wages, there can be adverse effects to his/her benefits. If the Social Security Administration (SSA) issues an individual an overpayment, the payment may have to be repaid back to the Social Security Administration (SSA). There could even be penalties issued by the Social Security Administration (SSA) that would reduce an individual’s Supplemental Security Income (SSI) by $25 to $100 for each time that an individual does not report or reports later than 10 days after the end of the month (the month in which the change happened). In addition, a sanction may be issued. Sanctions consist of withholding payments for 6 months for the first, following 12 months, and then 24 months. (SSA Reporting Responsibilities)

​How to Report
There are several ways to report wages to the Social Security Administration (SSA). Some of which include visiting, calling, or even writing to the local Social Security Office in the area in which you reside. Visit the Social Security Administration Website for more tools and resources.