Reentry Policy Council

Keys to Federal Benefits Access

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Key 1
Eligibility

Identify individuals who may be eligible for SSI/SSDI and Medicaid early in the incarceration process.

Overview

Identifying eligible applicants to the SSI/SSDI and Medicaid programs and current and former beneficiaries early in the incarceration process better enables case managers and other discharge planners to ensure that such individuals are promptly connected to benefits upon release. The following recommendations indicate types of policies jail or prison officials could implement, in partnership with other key leaders, to improve prompt identification of eligible applicants to the SSI/SSDI and Medicaid programs.

Click on each recommendation to view related examples that illustrate the implementation of the recommendation as well as background information on terms and concepts highlighted in the recommendation.

Recommendations

A	Screen for SSI/SSDI and Medicaid eligibility during intake or early in the incarceration process and note potential eligibility in an inmate's record.
B	Engage individuals with expertise in SSI/SSDI or Medicaid (ideally individuals who work in the agencies administering these programs) to train corrections staff to screen for benefit eligibility.
C	Develop agreements with agencies overseeing benefits to notify corrections staff about applicants who previously received SSI/SSDI or Medicaid.
D	Ensure timely access to Medicaid after release for eligible individuals by suspending, instead of terminating, Medicaid benefits during incarceration.