Do not increase a wage estimate for any month that will create an overpayment based
on an unverified wage amount. If a wage earner reports an increase in their gross
wages:
-
1.
Document the conversation on a Report of Contact and lock it, or on an SSA-5002 in
non-SSI Claims system cases.
-
2.
Ask the wage earner to save the pay slips that reflect the increased wage amount.
-
3.
Post the increased wage estimate starting with the first month that will not cause
an overpayment attributable to the estimated wage amount.
NOTE: Do not change wage estimates for prior months based on an allegation alone. For
prior periods, verify the wage amounts according to the policies in SI 00820.130 and SI 00820.135 and change the income data based on the wage verification.
Example 1 - No current wage estimate is on the SSR and we input a new wage estimate
before the GK cutoff
The parent of a disabled child comes to the field office on May 9 to report they started
working on March 20 and received their first pay check in April. The SSI record currently
shows no income for the family. The parent’s new monthly gross wage amount of $2000
does not make the child ineligible for SSI; however, the wages will reduce the child’s
payment amount. Since we can still reduce the SSI payment for June without causing
an overpayment, post the new wage estimate beginning with April.
Example 2 - No current wage estimate on the SSR and we input a new wage estimate after
the GK cutoff
Same scenario as in example 1, except the parent reports their new wage amount on
May 20 (after the GK cutoff). Since posting the wage estimate beginning with April
will cause an overpayment for June, you post the wage estimate beginning with May
and ask the parent to submit pay slips for April. Recruit the parent to report their
monthly wages using the SSI Telephone Wage Reporting system.
Example 3 - New wage estimate causes ineligibility
Same scenario as in example 1, except the parent reports their wages on May 31 and
the new gross wage amount of $3500 makes the child ineligible for April and May. Since
beginning the estimate in June will cause an overpayment, you post the estimate beginning
with July and ask the parent to submit pay slips for March, April, May, and June.
NOTE: For all examples, record when the parent actually started working, the rate of pay,
hours worked per pay, the pay date and the frequency of pay on a Report of Contact
and lock it, or on an SSA-5002 in non-SSI Claims system cases.