Entering The Community After Incarceration — How We

Entering theCommunity AfterIncarceration —How We Can HelpSocialSecurity.gov

Social Security and/or SupplementalSecurity Income (SSI) benefits aresuspended when people are confined tojail or prison. For Social Security beneficiaries,benefits remain suspended until theinmate is released. For SSI beneficiaries, benefits areterminated when the person isincarcerated for a year or more.People need funds to cover livingexpenses when they’re released fromprison. To help them make a successfultransition back into the community,benefits need to be started as soonas possible.How soon can benefits bestarted after release?The amount of time it takes tostart benefits depends on theperson’s situation: If Social Security benefits wereonly suspended, Social Securitycan usually restart them withoutmuch delay; If benefits were terminated, benefitscan take a few months to resume; and If the inmate wasn’t previously entitledor eligible for benefits, and is alleginga disability, or SSI benefits wereterminated a new application anddisability determination are required.In this situation, a decision about the1

person’s disability could take fromthree to five months.Is there a way to expeditebenefit payments?By following a special procedurebefore release, we can pay benefitsmuch sooner. We refer to this as theprerelease procedure.How does the prereleaseprocedure work?When an institution has a prereleaseagreement with Social Security, we can: Begin processing an inmate’sapplication up to several monthsbefore the inmate’s scheduledrelease date; Make a prospective determinationof potential eligibility andpayment amount based on theinmate’s expected circumstancesafter release; and Start paying benefits shortly after theinmate is released from the institution.When notified by the institution, SocialSecurity will follow this procedure if theinmate is likely to be eligible for benefitswithin 30 days of his or her scheduledrelease date.2

How can institutions establish aprerelease agreement?Either the local Social Securityoffice or the institution may initiatea discussion about setting up aprerelease agreement.The prerelease agreement: May be an informal verbalagreement; or May be a written agreement signedby both parties.What are the responsibilities ofeach party?Social Security’s responsibilitiesIn a typical prerelease agreement, theSocial Security office will: Provide guidelines about whatevidence is needed; Provide a contact person to assist theinstitution and the inmate in applyingthe prerelease procedures; Process claims and reinstatements ina timely manner; and Notify the institution promptlywhen Social Security has made adecision about the inmate’s eligibilityfor benefits.Institution’s responsibilitiesThe institution will agree to: Notify Social Security of peoplescheduled for release in the3(over)

near future who may be eligiblefor benefits; Provide available current medicalevidence or nonmedical informationfor the inmate including a statementabout the inmate’s ability tohandle funds; Provide Social Security with theanticipated release date; and Notify Social Security as soon as theinmate is released or changes thatdelay the release date.What are the advantages of aprerelease agreement?A prerelease agreement: Allows both parties to streamlinethe process for starting/restartingbenefits promptly after an inmate isreleased; and Facilitates the inmate’s return to thecommunity by providing him/her withan adequate source of income.4

Contacting Social SecurityThe most convenient way to contactus anytime, anywhere is to visitwww.socialsecurity.gov where you canalso take care of some business with anonline my Social Security account.Call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 orat 1-800-325-0778 (TTY) if you’re deafor hard of hearing. We can answeryour calls from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays. Or use our automated servicesvia telephone, 24 hours a day. We lookforward to serving you.Social Security AdministrationPublication No. 05-10504ICN 382004 Unit of Issue — Package of 25June 2018 (August 2017 edition may be used)Entering the Community After Incarceration —How We Can HelpProduced and published at U.S. taxpayer expensePrinted on recycled paper

before release, we can pay benefits much sooner. We refer to this as the prerelease procedure. How does the prerelease procedure work? When an institution has a prerelease agreement with Social Security, we can: Begin processing an inmate’s application up to s