Wage Reporting for SSDI Beneficiaries
What is Wage Reporting?
Wage reporting is when you give information about your earnings to Social Security so that they can accurately determine whether you are owed an SSDI payment. You should report when you start work or stop work. Once you’re working, you should report if you have a change in hours, duties, or pay.
When You Begin Working or Change Jobs...
Report your new job to Social Security as soon as you start working. Report by calling 1-800-772-1213 or going to your local Social Security office. Be ready to provide information about your employer and the amount of your gross wages (before taxes). Generally if you will be earning close to or above substantial gainful activity (SGA) each month, Social Security may send you a Work Activity Report in the mail; you will need to complete and return the form to Social Security. The form asks you for details about your work. Social Security will use the details to help them determine if you are owed an SSDI payment.
Work Incentives
If you are using work incentives, you will need to notify Social Security. If you have Impairment Related Work Expenses, you must provide receipts. If you have a Subsidy or Special Condition (like a job coach, extra breaks, special assistance on the job, etc.), you must provide documentation of the Subsidy or Special Condition. This might be a letter from your employer or job coach, or a copy of your employment plan. Generally, Social Security will ask you to submit documentation about the work incentives when they ask you to complete a Work Activity Report.
Tips for Ongoing Wage Reporting
Social Security does not review an SSDI beneficiary’s earnings each month; instead, every so often they send the person a Work Activity Report. They use the information on the report to determine whether the person was owed an SSDI payment for each month since the last work review. Follow the tips below.
1. Keep a copy of all your paystubs
Ask your employer how you can get a copy of each paystub. Decide where you will save your paystubs and begin saving them.
2. Report monthly gross wages through you my Social Security account
While Social Security doesn’t review your work activity each month, you can report your monthly gross wages through your online my Social Security account so they have them when the time comes to do a review. You should still save your paystubs! If you are not able to report through your online my Social Security account, you can ask your local Social Security office if you can submit your paystubs each month to them in person or by mail.
3. Report if you have a change in hours, duties, or pay
Report by calling 1-800-772-1213 or going to your local Social Security office. It is especially important to report if you will begin earning above SGA each month or if earnings will no longer be below SGA each month.
4. Complete the Work Activity Report when Social Security mails you one
If Social Security sends you a Work Activity Report (SSA-821 or SSA-820), complete and send them to form by the date on the letter they send. If you need help completing the form, you can contact Social Security or the Northwest Access Fund.
Have questions?
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