Social Security Administration

Disinformation about Social Security benefits for ex-offenders still circulates in Florida prisons. The idea is that your record of former drug use is evidence that you suffer a mental disability and therefore are entitled to benefits.  Sorry, but this and similar rumors are false.  Ex-offenders have to meet the same standards as everybody else when it comes to qualifying for money from the Social Security Administration.  Get the facts from the SSA at this link:

The SSA also offers an online booklet called "Entering The Community After Incarceration--How We Can Help."  This also covers prerelease agreements to jump-start the process.  Not all DOC classification officers and transition specialists are aware of the agreement between the DOC and the Social Security Administration whereby replacement social security cards can be ordered and placed in an inmate's file, to be given to him or her upon release.  This removes a major hurdle for finding employment.