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Overview

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Returning to work while receiving SSI can be a minefield of problems unless you plan carefully and keep Social Security informed at every step of the way.

Inform Social Security immediately when you return to work, preferably in a manner that gives you proof you informed Social Security.

As long as you continue to receive any SSI benefit, Social Security will request information about wages if you work for an employer, or a combination of income and expenses if you are self employed. Keep track of the information SSI will ask for so you don't have to waste precious time later reconstructing the information. Send it to Social Security on schedule.

Keep in mind that "Section 1619" provides if you are receiving SSI when you return to work, the SSI income limit will be waived so you can continue to keep Medicaid if it helps you work. (To learn more, see: Section 1619.)

Before actually returning to work, make sure you understand how it will affect your government and private benefits. See Returning to Work.)

For information see:

To Learn More

When Do I Tell Social Security About My Return To Work?

Tell Social Security as soon as you start work!

If you don't tell Social Security about your work activities, it can create all sorts of financial problems for you down the line. It may take a long time to catch up to you because Social Security can be slow to process  earnings and tax reports. But Social Security will catch up eventually - and that can hurt.  We know of people who did not report work earnings to Social Security and ended up having to pay back as much as $12,000 once Social Security processed information they had.  You don't need that problem when you're starting to get back on your feet.

To avoid the pain of receiving and spending money that SSA is going to demand back, keep accurate and current records so you will know if you are overpaid and can set that money aside to repay when Social Security requests it. 

How Can I Tell Social Security I Returned To Work?

You can inform Social Security on the phone, by mail or in person. Telephone is the least desired route.

Informing Social Security By Phone

You can report your return to work by calling Social Security via the toll-free number: 800.772.1213. However, you will have no proof that you informed Social Security of your return to work should Social Security later demand repayment of benefits. This can be important if you try to get the overpayment waived. You could request written confirmation of your call, but we've seen many slips between "I'll send written confirmation" and actual receipt of it. (To learn more about overpayments, see: SSI: Overpayments)

Informing Social Security In Person

You can inform Social Security of your return to work by going to your local Social Security office and personally delivering a letter outlining your work activities. (See sample letter below.) Keep a copy, of course, and request a written receipt for the letter.

Informing Social Security By Mail

You can inform Social Security by sending a letter to your local Social Security office. We suggest that any mail be sent registered, return receipt requested so you have proof of receipt.

(Date)
(Your Address)

Social Security Administration
(address)

Dear Social Security:

RE: Jane Marple
Social Security Number: 000-00-0000

I wish to report that I intend to attempt to return to work part-time. I plan to start working on March 13, 2001 at Acme, Inc. at 1313 Mockingbird Lane, Springdale, CD 00412. I will be working approximately 10 hours per week at $15.00 per hour for an estimated weekly earnings of $150.00 per week.

I will keep track of my hours and earnings and will report them to you upon request.

Should there be any changes in this proposed schedule, I will let you know.

NOTE: If you intend to be self-employed, you should say: "I will keep track of my hours, income and expenses and hours and will report them to you upon request."

Please let me know if you need additional information.

Very truly yours,

(Your Name)

Tracking And Reporting Your Income From Salary And Wages

Social Security has guidelines for regular reporting of work earnings, no matter how great or small.

Under Supplemental Security Income (SSI) return to work rules, your monthly benefit is reduced based on the amount you earn that month. If you don't report earnings for a particular month, you will receive an overpayment for that month that you will eventually have to return to Social Security.

If you keep track of what you earn, you can estimate the overpayment each month and set that amount aside so it will be easier to repay Social Security when the time comes. You can use the chart below to estimate your overpayment.

Click here for the SSI Benefit Calculation Chart.

The Work Activity Report: Periodically, Social Security will send you a Work Activity Report - Employee (SSA-821-F4 (7-85) to complete. As you work, it would be helpful to keep track of your income and expenses and the other information requested in the form. A few minutes of time noting this information will save you an endless amount of time trying to reconstruct it later.

To become familiar with the Work Activity Report, see: www.ssa.gov/online/ssa-821.pdf offsite link

Note: Ask your Claims Representative how frequently you should submit the Work Activity Report form. Rather than wait for Social Security to catch up and have to spend a lot of time completing a report, send it in as frequently as you are advised even if Social Security doesn't send one to you regularly. Send the form by certified mail, return receipt requested. Keep the receipt with your SSI file.

Tracking and Reporting Your Self-Employment

Social Security has guidelines for regular reporting of self-employment earnings, no matter how great or small. Whether Social Security requests the information or not, it is advisable to keep track of your earnings, expenses, and the amount of time you work each month so you don't have to waste an inordinate amount of precious time trying to reconstruct this information when Social Security eventually asks for it.

Social Security will reduce your benefit based on the net amount you earn each month. This is the amount you earn after deducting normal business expenses. If you don't report earnings for a particular month, you will receive an overpayment for that month that you will eventually have to return to Social Security.

If you keep track of what you earn, you can estimate the overpayment each month and set that amount aside. This will make it easier to repay Social Security when the time comes. Our chart will help you estimate your overpayment.

While you are technically not obligated to report your self-employment until Social Security asks for it, you may wish to personally deliver the information quarterly to your local Social Security office unless they instruct you otherwise. Get a written receipt for anything you deliver in person. If you mail the form, send it registered mail, return receipt requested. File the receipt in your SSI file.

Click here for the Self-Employed SSI Benefit Calculation Chart.

For more on counting earnings and Social Security Overpayments, SSI: Return To Work, SSI: Overpayments

The Work Activity Report: Social Security will send you a form to complete, called the Work Activity Report (Self-Employed Person), Form SSA-820-F4 (2-91). As the Work Activity Report below shows, Social Security takes into consideration all the factors which affect your ability to work - not just what you earn and how many hours you work.

To become familiar with the Work Activity Report, see: http://www.ssa.gov/online/ssa-820.pdf offsite link

Note: Ask your Claims Representative how frequently you should submit the Work Activity Report form. You may want to periodically complete it and send it in (or, even better, personally deliver it and get a receipt) even if Social Security doesn't send one to you regularly.

What If An Attempted Return To Work Is Not Successful?

If your medical condition prevents you from continuing to work, notify Social Security immediately.

We recommend that you go to the Social Security office personally. Take with you a letter from your doctor explaining exactly what symptom or condition is preventing you from doing what part of your job. Let your doctor know that Social Security may contact him or her for additional medical information.

As always, make sure you get a receipt confirming your reporting and receipt of your letter. If finances are especially tight, you may ask for an Advance Payment on your SSI benefits. Keep in mind, however, such payments seem to be more the exception than the rule.

Don't wait until you are penniless to report that you stopped working.