What if every gift had been cash? This is the report Maya would have needed.
4 gifts to tell Social Security about.
$343 counts as her income for May, so her July 2026 check would be $651 instead of $994.
- Given in May
- $423
- Counted as her income
- $343
- Her July 2026 check
- $651
Tell Social Security
On May 5, Lucy gave me $118 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 May 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 May 11, 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 May 16, Dan gave me $150 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 May 2026.
- On May 5, Lucy gave me $118 in cash.
- On May 8, Priya gave me $65 in cash.
- On May 11, Rosa gave me $90 in cash.
- On May 16, Dan gave me $150 in cash.
- Those are all the gifts from family and friends in May. I have the receipts if you need them.
Reporting by June 10, 2026 keeps her check right. A report that is late can mean a deduction of $25 the first time, then $50, then $100.