SSI and SSDI as Tools in Re-Entry Dan Abreu February 10, 2011 Policy Research Associates, Inc. Delmar, NY JMHCP National Training and TA Event: Collaborating to Achieve and Communicate Positive Public Health and Public Safety Outcomes
Achieving and Communicating Outcomes
SSA’s Two Disability Programs • Supplemental Security Income (SSI): For people who are low income and aged, blind or disabled. Eligibility based on need with limits on income and resources. Max federal benefit rate in 2009 -- $674/month • Social Security Disability Income (SSDI): Based on earnings put into FICA. Income amount dependent on earnings history. No limit on resources. Achieving and Communicating Outcomes
Why is Access to SSI and SSDI So Important for Re-entry? • For people who are disabled, these benefits provide access to: – Income – Housing – Health insurance and treatment
Achieving and Communicating Outcomes
SSA’s Criteria for Disability 1. Must have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that either meets or is equivalent to the listing of impairments that DDS considers. 2. Duration of the impairment must have lasted or be expected to last 12 months or more or result in death. 3. Person must show significant functional problems caused by the medical impairment. Achieving and Communicating Outcomes
The Problem • Only about 37 percent of all applicants are typically approved on application • People coming out of prison or jail are approved at a much lower rate • Appeals take years and many potentially eligible people give up and do not appeal Achieving and Communicating Outcomes
What We Know Is Possible‌
Approval rates of 65-95% on initial application
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SOAR Technical Assistance Initiative • SOAR stands for SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access and Recovery • Sponsored by HHS and HUD since 2005; No direct funding provided to States or localities • Helps States and communities increase access to SSI/SSDI through: – Collaboration and strategic planning – Training – Technical assistance Achieving and Communicating Outcomes
34 States Participate in SOAR • • • • • • • • • • •
Alabama Alaska Arizona Colorado Connecticut DC Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Indiana
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Kentucky Louisiana Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Montana Nevada New York New Hampshire New Jersey North Carolina
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Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island Tennessee Texas Utah Virginia Washington West Virginia Achieving and Communicating Outcomes
NEW Data from SOAR States • As of August 2009, 3,135 persons -- 71 percent of those assisted in 31 states -were approved for SSI in 89 days on average • In 2009 alone, SSI will bring $25.4 million into the state and local economies of these 31 states
Achieving and Communicating Outcomes
How Is This Model Different? • Staff actively assist applicants • Step-by-step explanation of SSI application and disability determination process • Focuses on the initial application – “Get it right the first time!” • Avoids appeals whenever possible • Focuses on documenting the disability
Achieving and Communicating Outcomes
Suspension/Termination of SSI/SSDI SSI… – Is suspended when a person is in a jail/prison for a full calendar month – After 12 months, SSI benefits are terminated; must re-apply upon release SSDI… – Continues while in jail/prison prior to conviction of a felony; after conviction benefits are suspended during incarceration – Upon release – no need to reapply to reinstate SSDI, simply need a “re-determination” – Legal proof of release is required to re-determine benefits. Achieving and Communicating Outcomes
Four Functional Areas Considered • Activities of daily living • Social functioning • Maintaining concentration, persistence and pace in the completion of tasks • Repeated episodes of decompensation Three or more attempts to work within the last year resulting in symptom increase and inability to maintain employment Achieving and Communicating Outcomes
1825 Sing Sing – “Up the River”
Title of new section
Achieving and Communicating Outcomes
Successful Models: Collaborations with Corrections • Applications done prior to release from Sing Sing prison by a community services agency • Same staff who does applications follow folks in community and access housing for them • 89% of 100 pre-release SSI applications approved in 59 days on average • Similar work starting with DOC in CT and MI, MiamiDade County Jail Achieving and Communicating Outcomes
Applying Prior to Release from Jail or Prison • Individuals can apply for SSI benefits within 30 days or more of their release. • Institutional pre-release agreements with SSA, either formally written or informal may allow for applications as much as 120 days prior to release • Agreements usually made by jail/SSA or DOC/SSA for all prisons • Payment is made upon release Achieving and Communicating Outcomes
Pre-Release Agreements • Designate someone to take the lead, preferably in-facility, coordinating with community based program staff • Contact SSA public affairs specialist in your area • These specialists can coordinate planning for SSA or direct to person who can • Consider optimal time to ask for -- typically 4 months maximum Achieving and Communicating Outcomes
Tips • Train examiners on Prison MH Programs • Train clinicians to interpret prison functioning for examiners • Clean up record • Aggressively pursue community treatment records • Important to have a community program willing to work with and assist in follow-through upon release Achieving and Communicating Outcomes
Conclusion • Focusing on expediting benefits as a tool for re-entry works! • Its a win-win for the individual, for states and localities, and for community programs • A major tool in recovery for persons with serious mental illnesses and other disabilities
Achieving and Communicating Outcomes
For More Information Visit the SOAR website at www.prainc.com/soar Or contact: Deborah Dennis, Vice President/SOAR Project Director Policy Research Associates, Inc. Delmar, NY 518-439-7415, ext. 238 ddennis@prainc.com Achieving and Communicating Outcomes
National Institute of Corrections
Achieving and Communicating Outcomes
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CORRECTIONS • Federal agency created in 1974 – Provide leadership and assistance to the field of corrections – Center of correctional knowledge
Achieving and Communicating Outcomes
National Institute of Corrections http://nicic.gov/Divisions • • • • •
Academy Community Services Jails Prisons Information Center Achieving and Communicating Outcomes
Evidence-Based Decision Making in Local Criminal Justice Systems http://nicic.gov/Library/024372
• Examine justice system decision making through the lens of harm reduction and the application of evidencebased principles. Lori Eville Correctional Program Specialist National Institute of Corrections 320 First Street, NW Washington, DC 20534 Toll Free (800) 995-6423, Ext. 62848 Fax (202) 307-3361 Achieving and Communicating Outcomes
Transition from Prison to Community (TPC) http://nicic.gov/TPCModel
• Encourages strategic system changes to reduce recidivism and future victimization, to enhance public safety, and to improve the lives of communities, victims, and offenders. Kermit Humphries Correctional Program Specialist National Institute of Corrections, Offender Workforce Development 320 First Street, NW Washington, DC 20534 Toll Free Number (800) 995-6423, Ext. 40118 Fax (202) 307-3361 Achieving and Communicating Outcomes
Transition from Jail to Community (TJC) http://nicic.gov/JailTransition • A model to improve long-term reintegration outcomes for individuals returning to communities from local jails. Kermit Humphries Correctional Program Specialist National Institute of Corrections, Offender Workforce Development 320 First Street, NW Washington, DC 20534 Toll Free Number (800) 995-6423, Ext. 40118 Fax (202) 307-3361
Achieving and Communicating Outcomes
OES Model
Achieving and Communicating Outcomes
Offender Employment Specialist • A training program to address tools and strategies for improving outcomes in offender employment. http://nicic.gov/Library/021698 – Multi-disks set • A Guide book • Suggested 3-day training schedule • Facilitator checklist – – – – – – – – –
Offender voices Improving outcomes through collaboration Addressing pre-employment and job readiness Conducting an effective job search Utilizing assessment tools Developing interventions Connecting with employers for job development Making good job matches Implementing effective strategies. Achieving and Communicating Outcomes
Offender Workforce Development http://nicic.gov/Training/11T325A • Competency-based , certified training
– Career development theory and application – Ethics training for the career development facilitator – Transition interventions for the offender population * Two week program consists of classroom instruction supplemented by 80 hours of mandatory E-learning coursework, hands on practice and required homework assignments. Achieving and Communicating Outcomes
Offender Employment Retention http://nicic.gov/Training/11B2302 • Competency-based training combines cognitive behavioral principles with motivational interviewing strategies to provide the knowledge, skill, and abilities to connect offenders to services and programs that support their long-term attachment to the workforce. *40-hour training course—includes 4 hours of virtual instructor-led instruction, 4 ½ days of classroom-based training, and 4 hours of lab work Achieving and Communicating Outcomes
http://nicic.gov/InformationCenter The Information Center assists correctional policy makers, practitioners, elected officials, and others interested in corrections issues. Research Assistance Information Specialists who have professional experience in corrections provide expert research assistance with full access to materials in the NIC library collection. Because of the sensitive nature of the majority of our library, only a fraction of the library's resources are available online. Specialists assist with locating and, in many cases, obtaining copies of this information at no charge. Location and Hours of Operation NIC Information Center 791 N. Chambers Road Aurora, Colorado 80011 Open: Monday - Friday 7:30 am - 5:30pm Mountain Time Closed: Weekends and Federal Holidays Toll Free Telephone: 800-995-6429
Achieving and Communicating Outcomes
http://nicic.gov/library/022542 • A Model for Social Justice: Collaboration Between FaithBased and Community Organizations and Correction – Examine the myths, realities, boundaries, and benefits of this collaboration – Provide information to help correctional leaders achieve new and more successful re-entry initiatives – Create service partnerships between faith-based and community organizations and corrections. – Develop an action plan to integrate and expand upon the information presented.
Accession Number: 022542 Achieving and Communicating Outcomes
Thank you
For further information & copies of conference presentations please visit www.consensusproject.org This material was developed by presenters for the February 2011 event: “Collaborating to Achieve and Communicate Positive Public Health and Public Safety Outcomes.� Presentations are not externally reviewed for form or content and as such, the statements within reflect the views of the authors and should not be considered the official position of the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Justice Center, the members of the Council of State Governments, or funding agencies supporting the work.
Achieving and Communicating Outcomes