If you are a farm worker, your work may be covered by Social Security. This means your boss must report to Social Security how much they paid you so you can get credit for your work.
Your wages from your farm work are covered by Social Security if:
- Your employer pays you $150 or more in cash wages during the calendar year for farm work.
- You are paid less than $150 in cash wages, but your employer reports total expenses for agricultural labor to the IRS of $2,500 or more for the year.
If you are a seasonal agricultural worker, we cover your wages only if you are paid at least $150 in cash for the job.
The below requirements must be met for seasonal workers:
- Employed in agriculture as a hand-harvest laborer.
- Commute to work daily from your home.
- Paid on a piece-rate basis.
- Employed less than 13 weeks during the prior year.
The best way to make sure your employer is reporting your earnings correctly is through your personal my Social Security account. If you have a personal my Social Security account, you can get your online Statement which provides estimates for retirement, disability, and survivors benefits you and your family may be eligible for. It also shows your current earnings record and history. If you don’t have a personal my Social Security account, create one at www.ssa.gov/myaccount.