Reporting changes in income to the Social Security Administration and the Department of Social Services
Andrea Alfano, Benefits Specialist
Connect to Work Center
Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS)
Many individuals who receive disability-related benefits from the Social Security Administration and/or the Department of Social Services are not sure about their reporting requirements. The BRS Benefits Specialists often hear individuals say that they have not reported certain types of income to the Social Security Administration or the Department of Social Services. This is because they were told that it does not count or will not matter, as it does not affect the benefit. This is not good advice. It is always the best practice to report any change in your income, both earned and unearned, to the Social Security Administration and/or the Department of Social Services. They will then make the determination about how the income will affect your benefits. Even though there may not be a change in the benefit amount, the agency that administers the benefit should make that decision.
An example of income that has sometimes gone unreported is a stipend received from a "work therapy" program. Generally, the Social Security Administration and the Department of Social Services will consider a stipend to be earned income if they define a stipend as "a regular fixed payment, such as a salary or allowance". That determination must be made under the general rules of unearned and earned income. If the stipend is considered earned income then it may have an effect on an individual's benefits.
By reporting all changes in income to the Social Security Administration and the Department of Social Services, you will insure that you are receiving the accurate amount of the benefit to which you are entitled. You will also avoid overpayments due to unreported income.
The Connect to Work Center has Benefits Specialists throughout Connecticut. They are available to answer questions and provide individual counseling around the impact of work earnings on benefits for those receiving a disability-related benefit from the Social Security Administration and/or the Department of Social Services. You can find the nearest Connect to Work Center Benefits Specialist by calling 1-800-773-4636.