SSAB Releases Paper on Supplemental Security Income and Incarceration

Washington, DC - Today, the Board released a new report on Supplemental Security Income and Incarceration.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is not payable when someone is incarcerated for a full calendar month. People whose SSI was suspended or terminated during incarceration, as well as people who have not received SSI before, may apply for benefits shortly before or after release. Obtaining replacement Social Security cards is also an important process for many people who are leaving incarceration.

The Board's report describes Social Security Administration (SSA) policies and procedures for SSI and incarceration. It makes several recommendations to SSA to improve the experiences of people leaving incarceration, SSA staff, and employees of correctional facilities. The Board also recommends two legislative changes: incentive payments to correctional facilities that report the release of people who received SSI before incarceration, and indefinite suspension of SSI rather than terminating benefits and requiring new applications.

Read the Report

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The Social Security Independence and Program Improvements Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-296) established a bipartisan Social Security Advisory Board composed of up to seven Board members appointed by Congress and the White House. Supported by a professional staff, the Board provides advice and recommendations to the President, Congress, and the Commissioner of Social Security on matters related to the Social Security and Supplemental Security Income programs.