The Social Security check is a financial staple in millions of American households. Many Americans don’t know that they could lose that monthly check if they don’t keep the SSA in the loop… at least temporarily.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has some strict rules to make sure the right people get paid, and failing to follow them can cost you that crucial income.

These rules aren’t new, but the SSA has recently started reinforcing them, and they’re not messing around. A missed update or an ignored letter can easily put your next payment at risk, even if you’ve been getting checks for years.

Why does the SSA check up on you?

The SSA isn’t trying to trip you up for fun. They have to make sure Social Security payments go to those who still qualify, not to people who’ve moved on, married, started working more (and earning their living on their own), or, in some cases, passed away. They run these checks regularly to keep the program fair and sustainable.

So no, the SSA is not trying to punish anyone, just making sure there are no beneficiaries gaming the system and that the program has enough money for everyone who depends on it. If you’re getting retirement or disability payments, it’s up to you to keep them updated.

The must-do list to keep your Social Security coming

The SSA’s rules aren’t as complicated as they might seem, but they do require attention. Here’s what you need to keep in mind to make sure those checks keep arriving:

Keep your contact info up to date. If you move, change your phone number, or switch banks, you need to let the SSA know fast.
Update your marital status. Getting married, divorced, or widowed? These changes affect your benefits, and not reporting them can cause [you] trouble.
Report any income changes. If you start working more hours, take on a new job, or see a change in disability status, tell the SSA right away. Be sincere; it will be worse if they find out on their own.
Attend disability reviews. If you get SSDI, you’ll have periodic medical check-ups with the SSA to make sure you still qualify. Miss those and you risk losing your check.
Log in to your my Social Security account. It’s the fastest way to catch any alerts or requests from the SSA. One missed message can freeze your money until you clear things up.

All of this is part of the SSA’s routine checks—nothing scary if you stay on top of it. But if you ignore these, your checks can stop without much warning.

Mistakes that could stop your check

While most people are careful to keep their information updated, it’s easy to miss something. A letter buried in the mail pile, a move to a new apartment without updating your address—small oversights can have a big impact.

The SSA says the most common reasons for payment suspensions include:

Skipping or ignoring letters from the SSA asking you to confirm your info or send in paperwork.
Not attending those medical review appointments if you’re on SSDI.
Forgetting to report that you’ve gotten married or started a new job.
A family member or legal representative misusing the money you’re supposed to get.
Receiving certain types of aid that don’t mix with Social Security—like some kinds of workers’ comp or unapproved state subsidies—without telling the SSA.

These mistakes can stop your check in its tracks for months. It’s not always permanent, but it can take time to sort out. The longer you wait, the more stress and paperwork you’ll face to get things flowing again.