What if every gift had been cash? This is the report Maya would have needed.
5 gifts to tell Social Security about.
$538 counts as her income for October, so her December 2026 check would be $456 instead of $994.
- Given in October
- $618
- Counted as her income
- $538
- Her December 2026 check
- $456
Tell Social Security
On October 5, Lucy gave me $133 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 October 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 October 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 October 19, Dan gave me $180 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
On October 28, Aunt June 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 October 2026.
- On October 5, Lucy gave me $133 in cash.
- On October 8, Priya gave me $65 in cash.
- On October 12, Rosa gave me $90 in cash.
- On October 19, Dan gave me $180 in cash.
- On October 28, Aunt June gave me $150 in cash.
- Those are all the gifts from family and friends in October. I have the receipts if you need them.
Reporting by November 10, 2026 keeps her check right. A report that is late can mean a deduction of $25 the first time, then $50, then $100.