If you are receiving disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA), you must report any significant changes to your status to the government. If you have changes that you need to report to the SSA, keep reading for some helpful tips to get you through the process.
Why report changes?
Although you may think that a small change is too insignificant to report, you could be wrong. When you are dealing with the government, it is always best to err on the side of caution. Also, if you fail to report a change, you may be responsible for paying back any overpayment from the SSA.
Which changes should be reported?
As a general rule, no change is too small to report. Some of the most important statuses to report include but are not limited to:
Change in mailing address
Change in citizenship or immigration status
Change in beneficiary
An extended stay outside of the U.S.
Change in child custody
Confinement in jail or prison
Awarding of a pension or other new income source
You have an unsatisfied warrant for a parole violation or felony arrest
Change in marital status
Return to work
Improvement of condition
Receipt of worker’s compensation
Birth of a child
How to report a change in status
The SSA makes it easy to report the necessary changes. You have several options on how to send them information, and you can pick whichever one works best for you. If you are mobile, you can go to your local SSA office and personally report the changes. If you are not able to leave or home (or do not wish to go to the SSA office in person), you can call your local SSA office and verbally report the changes, mail them in, or submit them online at www.socialsecurity.gov.
Dealing with the government can sometimes be difficult. It is always best to consult with a qualified and knowledgeable disability attorney to help get you through the red tape. If you have a change in status that you need to report to the SSA, contact a disability attorney in North Carolina today. We can help you report your change and make sure you will not have to repay any overages.
