You must tell Social Security your new address before your hearing

If you move before your Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) hearing, Social Security needs your new mailing address so they can send you the hearing notice, decision, and any other documents. If they mail something to your old address and you don't receive it, you could miss your hearing date without knowing it happened. The Social Security Administration will not automatically know you moved—you have to report it.

The hearing office has your case file and will try to reach you at the address they have on record. If mail bounces back or you don't respond to notices, they may reschedule your hearing or, in some cases, dismiss your case. Reporting your move takes a few minutes and prevents this problem entirely.

Key Takeaways

  • Contact your local Social Security office or call 1-800-772-1213 to report your new address as soon as you know you are moving.
  • Give Social Security your new address in writing by mail, phone, or in person—do not rely on telling your representative or lawyer.
  • If you have a representative or lawyer, notify them of your move as well, because they may need to update their own records.
  • If you move and do not report it, Social Security may mail your hearing notice to your old address, and you could miss the hearing without knowing.
  • Moving does not change your hearing date or your case—it only changes where Social Security sends your mail.

How to report your address change to Social Security

You can report your move by phone, mail, or in person. The fastest way is to call 1-800-772-1213, the main Social Security number. Tell them you have a pending ALJ hearing and give them your new address. They will update your file when ready. Have your Social Security number ready when you call.

If you prefer to report in person, visit your local Social Security office. You can find the nearest one at ssa.gov/locator. Bring a document that shows your new address, such as a lease, utility bill, or mail from a government agency. You do not need to bring anything else for an address change.

You can also mail a written notice to the Social Security office that is handling your case. Include your name, Social Security number, old address, and new address. Mail it to the office listed on any letter you received about your hearing. Address changes by mail take longer to process, so phone or in-person is safer if your hearing is coming up soon.

Notifying your representative or lawyer

If you have a lawyer or representative working on your case, tell them about your move as well. They need your correct address so they can send you copies of documents and stay in touch before the hearing. Your representative's records are separate from Social Security's records, and updating one does not automatically update the other.

Your representative should also notify the hearing office of your new address on your behalf. Some representatives do this as part of their routine case management, but do not assume—call or email them to confirm they have your new information. If you are representing yourself, you are responsible for telling Social Security directly.

What happens if you move and do not report it

If Social Security mails your hearing notice to your old address and you do not receive it, you may not know when or where your hearing is scheduled. If you do not show up, the ALJ may dismiss your case or hold the hearing without you. Either way, you lose the chance to present your case in person or by phone.

If this happens, you can request that the hearing be reopened, but you will have to explain why you missed it. Showing that you moved and did not receive notice can help, but it is easier to prevent the problem by reporting your address change right away. Do not wait until after you move—report it as soon as you know the date you are leaving.

Moving does not delay or change your hearing

Moving to a different state, county, or even a different country does not change your hearing date or move your case to a different ALJ office. Your hearing will still be with the same office that scheduled it, and the date stays the same unless you or Social Security requests a postponement for a separate reason.

You can attend your hearing by phone or video from your new location. When you report your address change, confirm with Social Security whether your hearing will be in person, by phone, or by video. If it was scheduled as an in-person hearing and you have moved far away, you can ask to do it by phone or video instead, but you have to request this separately—it does not happen automatically.

Timing: when to report your move

Report your address change to Social Security as soon as you know you are moving. Do not wait until after you move or until you receive your hearing notice. If you report it before you move, there is no gap in time when Social Security does not know where to find you.

If your hearing is scheduled within the next two weeks and you are moving, report the change by phone the same day you decide to move. Mailing an address change takes several days to process, and you cannot afford that delay if your hearing is imminent. A phone call takes five minutes and updates your file right away.

What to bring or have ready when you report your move

You need very little to report an address change. Have your Social Security number ready. If you are calling, that is all you need. If you are going in person, bring one document that shows your new address—a lease, utility bill, bank statement, or mail from any government agency will work. If you are mailing the notice, just write your information clearly and include both addresses.

Do not send original documents. If you mail your address change, use a copy of any supporting document or just write the information in a letter. Social Security will not return documents you send, so keep originals for yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to report my move if I am moving within the same city?

Yes. Even if you are moving a few blocks away, report your new address to Social Security. They use the exact address on file to mail documents, and any change matters. A move within the same city is just as important to report as a move to another state.

What if I move after my hearing is over but before I get my decision?

Report your new address right away. Social Security will mail your decision to the address you give them. If you move and do not report it, the decision may go to your old address and you could miss important information about what happens next, such as whether you need to appeal.

Can I change my address online?

Social Security does not have a way to change your address online through their website. You must call 1-800-772-1213, visit an office in person, or mail a written notice. Phone is the fastest option if your hearing is coming up soon.

If I move to another state, will my hearing move to that state's ALJ office?

No. Your hearing stays with the ALJ office that originally scheduled it, even if you move to another state. You can attend by phone or video from your new location. If you want to request an in-person hearing in your new state instead, you can ask, but Social Security does not have to grant it.

What if my lawyer moves and does not tell me their new address?

That is between you and your lawyer. Make sure you have a way to contact your representative directly—a phone number or email address. Also keep Social Security's contact information so you can reach them about your case if you cannot reach your representative. Your representative's move does not affect your hearing, but you need to stay in touch with them before the hearing date.