What if every gift had been cash? This is the report Maya would have needed.
4 gifts to tell Social Security about.
$426 counts as her income for January, so her March 2026 check would be $568 instead of $994.
- Given in January
- $506
- Counted as her income
- $426
- Her March 2026 check
- $568
Tell Social Security
On January 5, Lucy gave me $151 in cash.
Cash or a check given to Maya counts as income in the month it arrives, after small exclusions. 20 CFR 416.1121; POMS SI 00830.520R-CASH-01, R-GIE-01, R-RMA-01
On January 8, Priya gave me $65 in cash.
Cash or a check given to Maya counts as income in the month it arrives, after small exclusions. 20 CFR 416.1121; POMS SI 00830.520R-CASH-01, R-GIE-01, R-RMA-01
On January 12, Rosa gave me $90 in cash.
Cash or a check given to Maya counts as income in the month it arrives, after small exclusions. 20 CFR 416.1121; POMS SI 00830.520R-CASH-01, R-GIE-01, R-RMA-01
On January 20, Aunt June gave me $200 in cash.
Cash or a check given to Maya counts as income in the month it arrives, after small exclusions. 20 CFR 416.1121; POMS SI 00830.520R-CASH-01, R-INFREQ-01, R-GIE-01, R-RMA-01
How to report
Call 1-800-772-1213, TTY 1-800-325-0778. Or visit or write any Social Security office. Have her Social Security number ready. Giftwise never asks for it.
What to say
- Hello. My name is Maya, and I am calling to report changes to my SSI for January 2026.
- On January 5, Lucy gave me $151 in cash.
- On January 8, Priya gave me $65 in cash.
- On January 12, Rosa gave me $90 in cash.
- On January 20, Aunt June gave me $200 in cash.
- Those are all the gifts from family and friends in January. I have the receipts if you need them.
Reporting by February 10, 2026 keeps her check right. A report that is late can mean a deduction of $25 the first time, then $50, then $100.