Among the benefits of hiring a qualified Social Security disability attorney to help you with your disability case is the advice he or she can give you about how to steer clear of an accusation of fraud after your claim for disability benefits is approved. Unfortunately fraud cases are not uncommon and they cost the taxpayer a substantial amount of money. Therefore, the Social Security Administration is charged by the federal government with regularly reviewing each recipient’s status on a regular basis. In an effort to ensure timely review of each recipient’s status and to pay for investigation into cases of suspected fraud, Congress has increased funds for those purposes this year.
It pays to understand what sorts of situations are considered fraud by the Social Security Administration. Here are a few situations you must be sure to avoid.
Work Status. If you work while receiving disability benefits, you must report your hours and your income to the Social Security Administration. You must never attempt to conceal the fact that you work or falsify the numbers of hours you work.
Income Limits. If you are receiving disability benefits, you must report your earnings to the Social Security Administration. The agency allows you to work while receiving disability benefits, but there are limits to the income you can make and still receive benefits. In 2024, the monthly limit for a disabled person who is not blind is $1,550 per month. For a blind person, the limit is $2,590 per month. You must never conceal the fact that you make over the minimum income limit.
Residence. If you are receiving SSI benefits and you move overseas, you cannot continue to receive these benefits. If you move abroad and are receiving SSI benefits, you must notify the agency and stop receiving your SSI benefits.
Receiving Other Disability Benefits. If you are eligible for worker’s compensation or for other private, state, or federal disability benefits, your payments from SSI or SSDI may be reduced. You must tell the Social Security Administration if you apply for another type of disability benefits, if you receive a lump sum settlement due to your disabling condition, or if your previously reported benefits change or stop. Never conceal the receipt of other disability benefits, regardless of the source of those benefits.
Change of Status. If anything changes in your personal, work, or living situation, you must notify the Social Security Administration. Examples include: moving, changing your marital status, losing custody of a child for whom you have been receiving benefits, the death of a spouse or child for whom benefits are being received, being convicted of a crime, changing your name, etc. Basically, if anything changes after you are approved for disability benefits, let the agency know, as this could affect your fully insured status.
Social Security disability benefits are provided as a safety net for people who have nowhere else to turn. When their situations improve, some disability recipients are tempted to keep their monthly SSI or SSDI checks to improve a minimal standard of living. It’s understandable, but it’s a mistake that can cost them dearly.
Blog comments
In reply to How do I report someone for by jane doe (not verified)
How long do they review a
How long do they review a case once you report a fraud?
In reply to How long do they review a by Kesha J (not verified)
Hi There,
Hi There,
Every case is different, so there is no exact answer for this. Best of luck!
In reply to How do I report someone for by jane doe (not verified)
She faked death 1st address.
She faked death 1st address. Resides with Army Retired Officer and wife DFAS which is her daughter. Life insurance policy beneficiary. Sold home $120,000.00, sued a company, still receiving SSI and spouse benefits?
In reply to She faked death 1st address. by Any (not verified)
Hi there,
Hi there,
You may want to contact your local law enforcement about any fraud like this as they may be better able to pursue this case than the SSA.
In reply to How do I report someone for by jane doe (not verified)
I know.someone who is working
I know.someone who is working and getting ssi and food stamps so who do i talk to about this i am not giving my full name
In reply to I know.someone who is working by Julie (not verified)
Hi Julie,
Hi Julie,
You would need to contact the SSA if you suspect fraud, however it is possible to work and receive both benefits if a person is eligible for both.
In reply to How do I report someone for by jane doe (not verified)
How do I report someone
How do I report someone anonymously
In reply to How do I report someone by Wish to not say (not verified)
Hi There,
Hi There,
By calling (800) 269-0271, you have the option to do so.
In reply to How do I report someone for by jane doe (not verified)
Juanita Liscum is committing
Juanita Liscum is committing fraud by working in an antique store in Hanford Ca. She works Thursdays and Sundays. She has been working for a year in that store. She has a shop in there called Juanita’s. She carries items, lifts, and moves items. She has checks made out to her.
In reply to Juanita Liscum is committing by Na (not verified)
Hi Na,
Hi Na,
If you suspect fraud you should report it to the SSA.
In reply to How do I report someone for by jane doe (not verified)
How do I report my neighbor
How do I report my neighbor for disability fraud ?
In reply to How do I report my neighbor by Tim (not verified)
Hi Tim,
Hi Tim,
You can call the SSA fraud hotline number (800) 269-0271. Remember to provide as much information as you can.
In reply to How do I report someone for by jane doe (not verified)
Teresa Marie Turner is
Teresa Marie Turner is deceased two years now going on three .daughter cashing her check Tasha Turner.
In reply to Teresa Marie Turner is by Anonymous (not verified)
Hi There,
Hi There,
If you suspect fraud, you should report it to the SSA!
In reply to How do I report someone for by jane doe (not verified)
I know someone who gets
I know someone who gets social security disability benefits but babysits 3 young children and is paid 1800 dollars under the table.
She also goes to the gym 5 days a week and runs 7 miles a day. She lifts weights, swims, hikes and rides 4 wheelers. She plays tennis 2 to 3 days a week for 2-3 hours at a time. She also has 2 roommates who she charges 800.00 each for.
In a public record, I found a 675,000.00 insurance settlement payment that she is hiding from the government under one of her daughters.
In reply to I know someone who gets by Joye Cole (not verified)
Hi Joye,
Hi Joye,
If you suspect fraud, you can anonymously report it to the SSA online!
In reply to How do I report someone for by jane doe (not verified)
Hi! I am reporting again that
Hi! I am reporting again that You are giving fraud to Social Security Administration n Las Cruces, NM< giving a monthly SS Check Money to Victoria L. G. .......
In reply to Hi! I am reporting again that by Beatriz L. Esquibias (not verified)
Hi Beatriz,
Hi Beatriz,
We are not affiliated with the Social Security Administration (SSA). You'll need to report fraud to the SSA. You can do so online!
In reply to How do I report someone for by jane doe (not verified)
Marion Maurice Jackson has
Marion Maurice Jackson has been working under the table for basemanfacter in Monroe ga
In reply to Marion Maurice Jackson has by Laurie crutchfield (not verified)
Hi Laurie,
Hi Laurie,
If you suspect fraud, you are able to report it anonymously on the SSA website.
In reply to How do I report someone for by jane doe (not verified)
I like to report Elijah
I like to report he is using someone else's benefits for his own personal use and that person is. He's buying drugs quizzes and cigarettes and alcohol and they are harassing others for more money
In reply to I like to report Elijah by Donna Ramirez (not verified)
Hi Donna,
Hi Donna,
We're not affiliated with the SSA. But you can report any suspect fraud to the SSA online. There, you can remain anonymous if you'd like as well.
In reply to How do I report someone for by jane doe (not verified)
I know this woman named
I know this woman she does drugs cuts grass she does everything she's not hurt and she gets a check I work every day for my Goddamn money I don't think people need to get it ain't nothing wrong with him
In reply to I know this woman named by Tony shedfield (not verified)
Hi Tony,
Hi Tony,
If you suspect fraud, you can report it to the SSA.
In reply to How do I report someone for by jane doe (not verified)
Regis Harvey at 3040 crystal
Regis rents his house sell two renters at $600 per month plus cable which is $50 per month And and he’s been doing it for quite some time I just don’t think it’s fair that he can get away with it where others can’t
In reply to Regis Harvey at 3040 crystal by Debra. K. Jones (not verified)
Hi Debra,
Hi Debra,
If you suspect fraud, you can report it to the SSA!
My mother in law currently
My mother in law currently get ssi checks for my youngest brother in law who has ADHD but she has NOT been caring for him for 4 months. My husband and I have been caring for him and in the middle of trying to get custody. Can we report her for fraud since she does not take care of the child she gets the checks for?
In reply to My mother in law currently by Brittany (not verified)
Hi Brittany,
Hi Brittany,
You may be able to report her for fraud, but I would recommend instead scheduling an appointment with your local SSA office to get the funds switched to you or your husband if you are the primary caretakers for the child. You can become a representative payee without being a legal guardian of a child.
How do you report someone
How do you report someone getting ssi disabilty an is working a full time job on the books
In reply to How do you report someone by Helen (not verified)
Hi Helen,
Hi Helen,
There are certain circumstances where you can work and receive SSI benefits for a period of time, so that person may or may not be committing fraud. However, if you want to report fraud, you can do so by calling the SSA's Office of Inspector General
at 1-800-269-0271 or by reporting at their website here:
SSA's Office of Inspector General
I know of 2 people in starke
I know of 2 people in starke fl that have committed fraud. One is on disability and was orking as a truck driver while on disability and his mom has also defrauded social security. they need to be investigated asap
In reply to I know of 2 people in starke by me (not verified)
Hi Me,
Hi Me,
We are not affiliated with the SSA. To report fraud, please go to
http://oig.ssa.gov/report-fraud-waste-or-abuse/fraud-waste-and-abuse
or you can also call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213.
Is it SSI fraud if a person
Is it SSI fraud if a person receiving SSI has a roommate living w/ him and hasn't reported his income? And he also just received a big car accident settlement and hasn't reported that either...
In reply to Is it SSI fraud if a person by Leah (not verified)
Hi Leah,
Hi Leah,
It is not SSI fraud to have a roommate, unless the person getting SSI is making money off of the roommate somehow. You do not need to report the roommate's income but it would be fraud if they attempted to hide their settlement to keep receiving benefits.
In reply to Hi Leah, by Bryan
I rent a room in private
I rent a room in private house-pay 400.00 a month and there are 4 others that live there too-pay about same. Landlord on ssi and state aid. She isnt giving reciepts or claiming this income. Whats my rights. And how do i report this to ssi and state aid.
In reply to I rent a room in private by James (not verified)
Hi there,
Hi there,
You may want to contact the Social Security Administration's Fraud Hotline at (800) 269-0271 regarding this.
I know a person who is
I know a person who is getting SSI for her son and he lives with his grandmother and has for years. How can I report this and help get the funds where they belong.
In reply to I know a person who is by o51 (not verified)
Hi there,
Hi there,
you can report fraud here:
http://oig.ssa.gov/report
What can I do if my father in
What can I do if my father in law receives disability check, but my sister in law takes it all away he gets direct deposit but she has his bank card. She always leaves him with nothing not even to eat.. she's also supposed to be his provider? Help
In reply to What can I do if my father in by Karla (not verified)
Hi Karla,
Hi Karla,
I think that this might need to be brought to the SSA's attention immediately. I would call them at 1-800-772-1213, or you can find your local office's number here:
http://www.disability-benefits-help.org/social-security-disability-loca…
You can change your father's payee to someone who would use his benefits for his expenses and needs.
I married Jason in 2006, I
I married Jason in 2006, I then found out after what fraud is as the years went by we got into heated discussions about how he works making thousands of dollars a month but still collects SS check each month along with medicare/ medicaid. This is illegal and he should be stopped. He has a stomach issue that he tells his doctor that he gets sick for over 24 hours but can go cut grass in 90 degree plus weather and make a full time job out of this. The only time I ever saw him get sick was after a night of drinking. I work in healthcare and see true disabled patients try and try again for some kind of help and he just gets money and free healthcare. He really needs to be looked in to. I have filled out reports and have waited on hold for 30 plus minutes. I would take advise from anyone that knows a way that I can get the pictures of his client list and his equipment along with other evidence as far as he also received a ticket because he was seen to many times around town with regular tags and they are suppose to be commercial tags.
In reply to I married Jason in 2006, I by Siobhan (not verified)
Hi Siobhan,
Hi Siobhan,
You can file a report here:
http://oig.ssa.gov/report
When someone who is on ssi
When someone who is on ssi had a serious injury but who is no longer injured and doing all kinds of things like operating a rototiller for hours at a time , laying blocks ,working on cars , helping his daughter move , and other things he should not be doing is this considered fraud ?
In reply to When someone who is on ssi by Sadie (not verified)
Hi Sadie,
Hi Sadie,
If they were on SSI for a physical disability, then they may be committing fraud, but if they were on SSI for another type of disability, it may not be fraud for him to do any of those types of things.
I have a neighbor. Who I am
I have a neighbor. Who I am told is 100%disabled mentally. He has admitted he is on a lot of medication. He runs heavy equipment at his shop which is right next to my house. I do not think he should b allowed to run this heavy equipment if he is on a lot of medication. I have been told that he is not supposed to run this equipment because of the medication. Any advise??
In reply to I have a neighbor. Who I am by christy (not verified)
Hi Christy,
Hi Christy,
Unfortunately, your neighbor has to be the one to make the decision to stop using those tools, as he may not be violating any of the terms of his disability. If there are prohibitions on the operation of heavy machinery in your area, it may be a good idea to contact your local authorities.
My sister is a county jail
My sister is a county jail and her boyfriend is got her card using it, she went to jail for having a controlled substance. This is her fourth time going to jail for this and is still recieving her benefits. Can anything be done about this.
In reply to My sister is a county jail by Sharon (not verified)
Hi Sharon,
Hi Sharon,
Unfortunately, she may still be eligible for benefits even though she is a drug user.
I know an 30 something year
I know an 30 something year old man. He get's SSDI plus money his parents left him, his CareGiver has been spending his money. Selling his personal things.
In reply to I know an 30 something year by Robbie (not verified)
Hi Robbie,
Hi Robbie,
That sounds terrible! You may want to contact the SSA regarding this so this man can get some help and have his representative payee re-assigned.
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