SSI Recipients Who Work Have to Report Wages — and the Timing Can Matter More Than They Think

Reporting wages as a Supplemental Security Income recipient is critical, and sharing this information late can impact your benefits.

Not only can late reporting lead to underpayments, but not submitting information about your wages for the month can result in debt that the recipient must repay. Here’s how you can ensure you are filing before the deadline.

The two wage-reporting dates recipients should know

SSI are monthly payments made to eligible people with disabilities and older adults with low incomes. SSI recipients report gross wages each month after the month in which they were paid. For instance, wages received in July must be reported in August.

Wages must be reported by the 10th of the month. For instance, the deadline to submit July wages is August 10. However, the Social Security Administration (SSA) encourages reporting by the sixth of the month.

You should report the amount paid before taxes and deductions. Any changes to your work situation that took place in the month — like a raise or new job — should also be reported. In some cases, a recipient must also report the earnings of a spouse, parent or sponsor, if those earnings impact the recipient’s SSI eligibility.

Why the date on the paycheck can change the calculation

The SSA only wants recipients to report wages that were received that month. If you performed work in July and received the check in August, you do not include that check when reporting your earnings in July. However, you will have to report that same check when it’s time to report August earnings in September.

Higher gross wages than expected can reduce SSI benefits. There is a two-month delay between submitting your earnings and receiving SSI benefits based on those earnings. For instance, if a recipient reports July’s wages in August, the corresponding SSI benefit will arrive on October 1.

How to report wages and protect yourself from errors

Your online Social Security account has a wage-reporting tool that makes it easy to submit your earnings. The SSA Mobile Wage Reporting app, automated telephone system and local Social Security office are also options.

Keep your pay stubs and other documents readily available so it’s easy to report your earnings and verify any information. Recipients can also set monthly text and email reminders to ensure they report wages on time. Then, keep proof that your report went through.

There is a more efficient reporting option for some people. The Payroll Information Exchange can let the SSA receive wages directly from participating payroll providers.

Eventually, the SSA will receive the information and can automatically review your earnings for the month, but it’s a good idea to report your own earnings until the administration provides confirmation. You may have to contact the Social Security Administration if you change employers.