Keep Social Security in the loop to avoid improper payments
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[March 02, 2011]
If
you are receiving Social Security disability benefit payments, it is
important to notify us promptly — either in person, by phone, or by
mail — whenever a change occurs that could affect your benefits.
This is especially true when reporting other income. Errors occur
when you fail to report certain types of income timely. If you do
not report these amounts, you may have to repay a large part of your
benefits.
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If you work while receiving
disability payments
You should tell us if you take
a job or become self-employed, no matter how little you earn. There
are some work incentives that may allow you to keep your disability
payments for a while. If your benefits stop because of your work, we
can quickly start them again if your income drops or if you stop
working.
Special rules make it possible
for people receiving Social Security disability benefits or
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to work and still receive monthly
payments.
If you cannot continue working
because of your medical condition, your benefits can start again —
you may not have to file a new application.
Work incentives include:
-
Continued monthly benefits
for a time while you work;
-
Continued Medicare or
Medicaid while you work; and
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Help with education,
training, and rehabilitation to start a new line of work.
The rules are different under
Social Security and SSI. But, whether you are receiving Social
Security or SSI, it is important to let us know promptly when you
start or stop working, or if any other change occurs that could
affect your benefits.
Also, tell us if you have any
special work expenses because of your disability (such as
specialized equipment, a wheelchair or even some prescription drugs)
or if there is any change in expenses.
If you receive other types
of disability benefits
Social Security benefits for
you and your family may be reduced if you also are eligible for
workers’ compensation (including payments through the black lung
program) or for disability benefits from certain federal, state, or
local government programs. You must tell us if:
-
You apply for another type
of disability benefit;
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You receive another
disability benefit or a lump-sum settlement; or
-
Your benefits change or
stop.
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If you get a pension from
work not covered by Social Security
If you start receiving a
pension from a job for which you did not pay Social Security taxes —
for example, from the federal civil service system, some state or
local pension systems, nonprofit organizations, or a foreign
government — your Social Security benefit may be reduced. Also, tell
us if the amount of your pension changes.
So keep in mind that you must
always keep Social Security informed of your changing situation.
Many factors can affect your benefits.
To learn more about Social
Security, visit
www.socialsecurity.gov
By Judith Bartels
Social Security District
Manager in Springfield, IL
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