WHAT ARE YOUR RIGHTS?

You have the right to:

	Apply for benefits, free of charge;
	Get help from us to fill in the application forms and get documents you need;
	Have someone help you with your Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claim and have that person go with you when you visit the Social Security Administration;
	Be represented by a qualified individual of your choosing (whether an attorney or a non-attorney);
	Ask to see or get copies of the information in your records;
	Get a letter that will tell you what we determine about what benefits you can get and what we will pay you;
	Appeal most determinations we make about whether you can get SSI, or the amount of SSI, if you disagree with our determination;
	Have the assistance of an interpreter, free of charge, if you do not speak English well enough to do business with us;
	Get help from us to obtain your medical records; and
	Get copies of the law, regulations, or policy statements used to decide your claim.

WHAT ARE YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES?

You must tell us when:

	You move or change your mailing address;
	Anyone moves into or out of your household;
	There is a change in the income or earnings of you, your spouse, or your parents (if you are a child);
	You have returned to work, or your condition has improved and you are now able to work;
	There is a change in resources owned by you, your spouse, or your parents (if you are a child);
	You get help with living expenses or get income from friends or relatives;
	Your spouse or anyone in your household dies;
	You get married, separated, or divorced (including any same-sex relationships);
	You change your name;
	You become eligible for other benefits or payments;
	You enter or leave an institution (such as a hospital, nursing home, prison, or jail);
	You leave the United States or return to the United States;
	You have an unsatisfied felony or arrest warrant for escape from custody, flight to avoid prosecution or confinement or flight-escape;
	There is a change in your school attendance (if under age 22);
	There is a change in your immigration status;
	You are a sponsored immigrant and your sponsor's income changes;
	Your condition improves, if you get SSI because of a disability or blindness; and
	You cannot keep an appointment with our office.

REMINDERS

	If you become unable to manage your funds, you should report this to Social Security.
	We will provide free interpreter services at your request to conduct your Social Security business. Please call us first so that someone who speaks your language will be available to help you. See the SSI Spotlight on Interpreter Services.
	You and your representative must provide us with accurate information. It is illegal to knowingly and willfully give us false information.
	You must tell us about all of your medical treatment sources when you apply based on a disability or blindness.
	Generally, you have 60 days to notify us if you want to appeal a determination that you disagree with.
	In the event of your death, a family member or friend should notify us.

This handout provides a general overview of your SSI rights and responsibilities. We do not mean for the information to cover all parts of the law. For specific information about your case, contact Social Security.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Please visit or write any Social Security office, or call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213. You can speak to a representative between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. on business days. Whenever you call, have your Social Security number handy.

Spanish speaking representatives are also available to take your calls. Follow the instructions in Spanish to reach a Spanish speaking representative.

Recorded information and services are available 24 hours a day, including weekends and holidays.

If you contact the local office or call the 1–800 number service and you need an interpreter to communicate with us, we will provide one upon request, free of charge.

If you have a TTY machine, you may call our toll–free TTY number,
1-800-325-0778, between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. on business days.

We treat all calls confidentially––whether they're made to our toll–free numbers or to one of our local offices. We also want to ensure that you receive accurate and courteous service. That's why we have a second Social Security representative monitor some incoming and outgoing telephone calls.

You may also visit our website on the Internet at www.ssa.gov for other topics regarding SSI or Social Security.