Keys to Federal Benefits Access
Glossary
Benefits provided by state or federal programs to eligible recipients. These benefits may be used by releasees to acquire treatment or housing but in some cases may be denied to individuals with criminal records. The current federal public assistance program is called Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF).
Disability Determination Services (DDS)
State offices responsible for evaluating medical evidence to determine whether individuals are eligible on the basis of disability for Supplemental Security Income, Social Security Disability Insurance, and sometimes Medicaid
Federal Financial Participation
Matching funds from federal agencies to support benefit programs administered by states. FFP is barred to support services to individuals who are incarcerated.
IMD exclusion
According to federal statute, Institutes of Mental Disease (IMDs) cannot receive FFP to support services to individuals
Incentive Payments
Social Security offices will offer payments to correctional facilities that inform the offices of incoming inmates who were SSI/SSDI recipients
Medicaid Programs Operation Manual System (POMs)
Program guide for Medicaid
Presumptive Disability
When benefits are awarded on the basis of disability before applications have been fully evaluated. In such cases, applicants must demonstrate a high likelihood of meeting eligibility criteria
Representative Payee
Person or organization responsible for overseeing SSI/SSDI benefits when the beneficiary cannot oversee his or her own benefits
Suspension
When benefit eligibility is temporarily held in limbo during period of incarceration. When benefits are suspended, beneficiaries cannot access benefits, but do not necessarily need to re-apply to reinstate once circumstances leading to the suspension change.
Termination
When benefit eligibility is terminated. Former beneficiaries must complete new benefit applications to access benefits. Typically benefits are terminated a full calendar month after incarceration, but rules vary in different states.