Reentry Policy Council

Keys to Federal Benefits Access

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Key 2
Documentation

Coordinate collection of documentation needed for applications to SSI/SSDI and Medicaid during incarceration.

Overview

Applicants to SSI/SSDI and Medicaid programs often must provide additional documentation such as identification cards or medical records along with applications. Such documents can be difficult to compile while an individual is incarcerated. The following recommendations indicate types of policies jail or prison officials could implement, in partnership with other key leaders, to enable case managers and other discharge planners to better gather these documents prior to release dates.

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	Train or hire staff to gather necessary medical, nonmedical, and functional documentation for Medicaid and SSI/SSDI applications.
B	Obtain medical documentation for Medicaid and SSI/SSDI applications from community providers that have previously treated applicants or hire medical professionals to assess applicants and provide medical documentation.
C	Establish agreements with relevant agencies to replace or renew identification documents, such as driver's licenses and Social Security cards, for inmates who will be applying to SSI/SSDI and Medicaid.
D	Ensure that documents issued by departments of corrections are accepted as valid identification by agencies determining SSI/SSDI and Medicaid eligibility when other forms of identification are not available.