How to Receive SSI Payments as an Ex-Felon

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Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is something that every person in America is typically eligible for, providing them met the work requirements during their life. Those who have served time in jail or prison are still usually eligible for receiving their SSI payments once they are no longer incarcerated. Knowing how to receive SSI payments as an ex-felon is important so that you can make sure you get what is owed to you.

Those who have worked for at least 10 years in their life and have paid into Social Security taxes during those years, are usually eligible to receive payments later on in life. Some people begin taking the Social Security or SSI payments earlier, if they are considered totally disabled and are unable to work. However, most people do not begin drawing on their social security payments until they are at least 62 years old. That is the first age that you can begin receiving Social Security payments, even as an ex-felon, unless you are disabled.

You can begin receiving SSI payments, which are for those who are disabled, beginning at the age of 65. It is important to know that being an ex-felon does not prohibit you from being able to receive SSI payments. Receiving SSI payments is about your work experience over your lifetime, not about whether or not you have been incarcerated or have been convicted of any felonies.

What Happens During Incarceration with Your SSI Payments

Those who have been incarcerated in jail or prison may wonder what happened to their SSI payments during that period. This is only relevant if the person was receiving SSI payments when they became incarcerated. If they were receiving them, then the SSI payments could continue going to the person’s family. If they do not have a family, then the account freezes after a month.

Once you get out of prison, you have to contact the Social Security Administration to request that the payments begin again. If you were incarcerated for 12 months or more, you will have to start the SSI application process from the start. It becomes inactive after a 12 month period. You will need to submit your application again to get the payments started.

SSI Payments Eligibility for Ex-Felons

Those who have been convicted of committing a crime, or spending time in prison or jail, are not barred from receiving SSI payments. As long as they meet the SSI eligibility requirements that are set forth for everyone, regardless of whether or not they have spent time in jail or prison, they should be able to receive SSI payments.

Here are the eligibility requirements for ex-felons to be able to receive SSI payments:

If you are not disabled and you worked for at least 10 years in your life, paying into the Social Security system out of your taxes, then you should be able to receive benefits. People can first start taking them at age 62.

• Those who are disabled and want to receive SSI payments need to be at least 65 years old, blind, or be disabled.
• In order to receive SSI benefits, you have to be seriously injured or disabled, such as having a medical condition that prevents you from being able to work.
• Keep in mind that SSI payments and Social Security payments are similar, but vary slightly in who receives payments from each program. Both programs are run through the Social Security Administration. Those who have reached a retirement age and are ready to get monthly payments will apply for Social Security payments, while those who are considered disabled will apply for SSI payments.

How to Receive SSI Payments as an Ex-Felon

Those who are ready to receive SSI payments will need to contact the Social Security Administration. They have a process you will need to go through to apply and let them know you would like to receive the payments. If you were receiving them prior to being incarcerated, you will let them know that and submit the necessary paperwork to begin receiving them again.

They will not issue SSI payments to someone who is incarcerated. Some people will be able to still allow their family members to receive their payments, but you will need to check with the Social Security Administration to see if you qualify for that. Otherwise, the payments will cease during the time you are in jail or prison, and will begin again once you are out.

If you are still incarcerated and know your release date you may be able to apply now. This will help ensure that the necessary paperwork is done prior to you leaving, so that the payments can begin right away once you are no longer in prison or jail. To do this, speak with those at your facility to see if they will allow you to complete the paperwork. In order to do this, they will have to have a prerelease agreement with the local Social Security Administration office.

Getting the Process Started

There are a few resources you can use to learn more about applying for and receiving Social Security payments and SSI payments as an ex-felon. These resources will help you understand the process more, explain how it works, who is eligible, and provide you with the details on how to get the process started. If you have additional questions, contact your local Social Security Administration office. They should be able to answer your questions and help you through the process.

• What Prisoners Need to Know – This document is from the Social Security Administration and explains the difference in types of payments and how to apply for them. To get more information, click here.
• Benefits After Incarceration – This page will provide you with more information about the process and answer questions you may have. To get more info, click here.
• Social Security Administration – Use this site to find your local office, where you can get questions answered and submit the necessary forms. To find an office near you, click here.