For many New Jersey residents, simply obtaining SSI benefits can be a headache. The application can be long and detailed. The government often incorrectly denies the application, forcing the need for an appeal. So when a New Jersey resident finally gets the good news, it can be a relief. It can feel like the end of the process. But it isn’t. New Jersey residents have an ongoing duty to report changes in their situation. Those changes could spell the end of a person’s benefits.
So, what changes must be reported? Quite a few, most of which are unsurprising. For example, a person must report if they change their name, address or direct deposit account. Likewise, they need to report anything that may change their financial situation, whether that means they moved, they got or lost a roommate or they found or lost a job. Similarly, a person must report other big changes, like becoming a parent, leaving the United States or changing immigration status.
The above list is hardly exhaustive, but it does underscore that the government wants to know when something has changed. As part of that desire, the government casts a wide net over what it believes people should report.
What happens if you don’t report one of these changes? The government may withhold money from your check. In the most drastic cases, the government may withhold checks for up to two years.
New Jersey residents who are unsure of whether or not they need to report a change may benefit from getting more information about their own unique situation. Doing so may prevent having the Social Security Administration reduce or withhold SSI checks.
