SSI is the needs based benefit millions of disabled Americans receive. It is meant to provide money for the basic necessities of life like food and shelter. A claimant qualifies for the benefit at the time it is awarded, but when circumstances change it can raise or lower the benefit, depending on what changes happen in your life. An article on THUMBTACK lists some of the common changes that must be reported to Social Security if you are on SSI:

• Changes in income, wages, or self-employment income;
• Starting, stopping, or changing jobs;
• Changing your address or persons moving in or out of the household;
• Changes in marital status (including any same-sex relationships);
• Having more than $2,000 if you are single or $3,000 if you are married in resources that you can cash in, sell, or use to pay for food and shelter; and
• Changes in resources, including money in financial accounts and buying or selling extra vehicles, stocks, investments, or property.

The Social Security Administration’s brochure What You Need To Know When You Get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) contains more detailed information about the benefit. SSI recipients can sign up for monthly SSI wage reporting emails or text reminders, so you do not forget to report any changes.

WHY IT MATTERS

SSI recipients are required to report a change within 10 days after the month it happens. If you do not report the change in a timely manner, you should report a change even if you’re late. Failure to report timely may cause you to:

· Receive less than you should and take longer to receive the correct amount;

· Receive more than you should and have to pay it back;

· Have a penalty deducted from your SSI payment; or

· Lose SSI for not reporting information that we use to determine whether you are still eligible for SSI.

If you applied for SSI or SSDI Social Security benefits and were denied, we can help. Please call us at our Baton Rouge office 225-281-7715 or our Shreveport office 318-618-0303. You can also contact us via email at jeff@nicholsonlawfirmllc.com. We provide representation throughout Louisiana, Mississippi, Southern Arkansas and East Texas. Call us today.