What you should know about SSI
If you get a Supplemental Security Income payment every month, you have certain rights. For example, you have the right to expect your payment will be on time every month and that the dollar amount will be correct. But you also have certain responsibilities. And by living up to those responsibilities, you can help ensure your payments are accurate and timely.
Most of those responsibilities take the form of reporting changes in your income or living arrangements.
Reporting such changes is important because your SSI payment is based entirely on what other income you have, the things you own and where you live. SSI is a “needs-based” program. You qualify for an SSI payment because your circumstances demonstrate that you need money to supplement your other income. That’s why it’s called “Supplemental” Security Income.
Here is a list of the most important things you should report. To make a report, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778).
If there is a change in your income:
You should tell us about any change in your monthly income. If you get a payment from another government agency, and that payment goes up or down, let us know. If you work and your wages change, let us know. If someone gives you some money, we need to know about that, too. If you inherit any money, or you win some money in a lottery game, you must report that. Even if you think the change is insignificant, let us know. Not all income counts against your SSI payment. But tell us about any change, and we will let you know if your SSI payment is affected.
If you move:
Your SSI payment also depends on where you live. SSI rates change from one state to another, but they also can change from one kind of residence to another. For example, the SSI payment in some states is higher for people who live in a place with no cooking facilities than it is in a place that has a kitchen. SSI payments also are different if you move to a nursing home or any kind of “board and care” facility.
If someone moves into or out of your household:
Your SSI payment can change if other people move into or out of the place where you live. For example, if someone who was paying most of the rent and grocery bills moves out of your residence, your SSI payment may be increased.
If you get married, separated or divorced:
Your SSI payment depends on your marital status. For example, if both you and your spouse are on SSI and you get divorced, your SSI payment will probably go up. That’s because the SSI payment made to two people living apart is higher than the payment made to a married couple living together.
These are just some of the things you should report to us. A complete list is published in the free booklet, What You Should Know When You Get SSI.
You should have received a copy of the booklet when you got your first SSI payment. If you’ve lost it, you can get another copy by calling 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778) or you can get a copy online at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/11011.html.