Reentry Policy Council

Keys to Federal Benefits Access

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Key 4
Continuity of Care

Transfer information about benefit applications to relevant community agencies and ensure that individuals can access services after release if benefit decisions are pending.

Overview

Often individuals with serious mental illness returning to the community will need assistance completing applications, appealing benefit decisions, or managing benefits. Prison or jail staff can take steps to ensure that community providers, case management services, and community corrections staff have access to information needed to assist individuals with these tasks. The following recommendations indicate types of policies jail or prison officials could implement, in partnership with other key leaders, to ensure continuity of care for individuals who plan to or have submitted benefits applications.

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	Develop protocol to inform benefits agencies of expected release dates and actual day of release so that benefits can be reinstated or activated promptly upon release.
B	Provide information on benefit applications to community service providers or other relevant agencies so that these entities can monitor application status and benefit enrollment.
C	Work with policymakers to develop city- or state-based funding to provide temporary coverage for individuals leaving jail or prison whose SSI/SSDI and Medicaid applications or receipt of benefits is pending.
D	Develop agreements with organizations to manage SSI/SSDI benefits for individuals when necessary.
E	Develop system for tracking whether individuals who receive specialized benefits discharge planning in jail or prison are ultimately enrolled in SSI/SSDI and Medicaid.