How to Report Income to Social Security While on SSI or SSDI
- Purple
- Mar 21
- 4 min read
Avoid Overpayments and Keep Your Disability Benefits Safe
Introduction: Do I Have to Report Income While on Disability?
If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and are working—or receive any other income—you might be wondering:
💼 Do I have to report this to Social Security?
💼 How do I report income the right way?
💼 What happens if I forget or report late?
The short answer:
✔ Yes, you must report income to the Social Security Administration (SSA) to avoid benefit reductions or overpayments.
✔ There are specific tools and deadlines for SSI vs. SSDI reporting.
✔ Failing to report can result in penalties or even the loss of benefits.
In this guide, we’ll explain:
✅ Who needs to report income
✅ What types of income must be reported
✅ How to report income to SSA (step-by-step)
✅ What happens if you don’t report on time
✅ How Purple helps track income & stay compliant
1. Do I Need to Report Income to Social Security?
✅ SSI Recipients
Yes—you must report all earned and unearned income every month.
📌 Why? SSI is a needs-based benefit, and your payment amount depends on how much money you make and what resources you have.
✅ SSDI Recipients
Yes—you must report work activity and earnings if you return to work.
📌 Why? SSDI is not needs-based, but there are income limits. In 2025, you can earn up to $1,620/month($2,700/month if blind) before your benefits may be reduced or stopped.
2. What Kinds of Income Do You Need to Report?
✅ Earned Income (Report for SSI and SSDI)
Wages from a job (even part-time or temporary)
Self-employment or freelance work
Gig work (DoorDash, Uber, Instacart, etc.)
✅ Unearned Income (Report for SSI only)
Gifts or help from family or friends
Alimony or child support
Pensions, annuities, or unemployment
Other Social Security benefits (e.g., retirement or survivor’s benefits)
💡 SSDI recipients only need to report earned income. SSI recipients must report both earned and unearned income.
3. How to Report Income to SSA (SSI and SSDI)
🕓 When to Report:
SSI: Report monthly by the 6th of the following month
SSDI: Report as soon as you start or stop working, or your hours/wages change
✅ Ways to Report Income to SSA:
1. SSA Mobile Wage Reporting App (For SSI Only)
Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play
Submit monthly wages directly from your phone
Requires a verified my Social Security account
2. Phone Wage Reporting Line (For SSI Only)
Call the automated SSI reporting number: 1-866-772-0953
Available 24/7, requires SSN and PIN
Only available to SSI recipients who work for an employer (not self-employed)
3. My Social Security Account (For SSI and SSDI)
Report work changes, check benefit status, and upload documents
Register or log in at SSA.gov/myaccount
4. In Person or by Fax
Visit your local SSA office
Bring a copy of pay stubs or wage verification
Or fax them to your local office (find contact info on your SSA letters)
💡 Always keep copies of what you send to SSA for your records.
4. What Happens If You Don’t Report Income?
⚠️ Overpayments
SSA may continue paying you too much, then later demand you pay it back. This is common for SSI recipients who get a job and forget to report.
⚠️ Penalties
SSA may reduce your payments or impose fines of up to $100 per violation for failure to report required changes.
⚠️ Suspension or Loss of Benefits
If SSA finds out you exceeded income limits without reporting it, they may suspend or terminate your benefits.
📌 Example: If you're on SSI and your account balance goes over $2,000 due to unreported income, you could lose eligibility.
5. How to Report Self-Employment or Gig Work
If you're self-employed or doing gig work, you still have to report:
How much you earned
Your business expenses
How many hours you worked
📌 Report your net income (earnings minus expenses)SSA may require you to complete Form SSA-820 (SSDI) or SSA-8202-BK (SSI).
💡 Self-employment rules are more complex, so it’s a good idea to call SSA for help or speak with a benefits counselor.
6. How Purple Helps You Stay Compliant
💜 Track Your Monthly Income – Enter wages and see how they affect your benefits
💜 Get Reminders to Report Wages – Never miss the SSI deadline again
💜 Receive Alerts for Income Thresholds – Know when you’re approaching the SGA limit
💜 Understand How Work Affects Your Benefits – Personalized insights for SSI and SSDI users
💡 With Purple, staying compliant with SSA rules is simple and stress-free.
7. FAQs About Reporting Income on SSI and SSDI
Do I Have to Report Income If I’m Only Earning a Little?
✅ Yes—you must report any earned income, even if it’s just a few dollars.
How Often Do I Have to Report?
SSI: Every month
SSDI: Any time your income or work status changes
What If I Made a Mistake or Reported Late?
✅ Contact SSA as soon as possible to fix it. You may still be liable for any overpayments, but early correction helps.
Can I Report Income Online?
✅ Yes—use your my Social Security account or the mobile wage reporting app.
8. Conclusion: Report Your Income to Protect Your Benefits
✅ Reporting income to SSA keeps your benefits accurate and avoids overpayments
✅ SSI recipients must report all income monthly
✅ SSDI recipients must report earned income or work changes
✅ Use official SSA tools or Purple to simplify reporting
💜 Sign Up for Purple to Track Income & Stay SSA-Compliant!