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The Social Security Administration does not provide any special benefits for ex-prisoners.  Once you are released, you may get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) (see http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/11000.html)  payments if you are 65 or older, or are blind or have a disability and have little or no income and resources.  If you qualify, you will not be paid for the retroactive months that you were in prison.

Social Security retirement, survivors, or disability (RSDI—Title II) (see http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10024.html) benefits may be payable if you have worked and paid into Social Security enough years (this is determined by your age and the date you became disabled or turned age 62), and:

• You have a physical or mental condition so severe that it will make you unable to do any work for at least a year, or
• You are legally blind, even with glasses, or
• You are age 62 or older.

If you meet the above requirements, Social Security benefits may also pay:

• Your child who is under age 18, or severely disabled before age 22, or
• Your wife who is age 62 or older, or is caring for your child who is under age 16 or severely disabled before age 22.

If you think you could qualify for benefits based on the above requirements, you should call Social Security’s toll-free telephone number, 1-800-772-1213. If you are severely disabled or over age 62 and you have dependents who could be paid based on your work covered by Social Security, you should call Social Security immediately.