Understanding Supplemental Security Income
SSI Spotlight on Prerelease Procedure
2008 Edition

The prerelease procedure allows you to apply for SSI benefits and food stamps several months before your anticipated release from an institution so that benefits can begin quickly after your release. We do not pay you SSI benefits when you reside in a public institution.

We will process an application for you under the prerelease procedure if you:

	are in an institution (e.g., hospital, nursing home, prison, or jail) ; and
	appear likely to meet the criteria for SSI eligibility when you are released from the institution; and
	are expected to be released within 30 days after you are notified of your potential eligibility for SSI benefits.

There may be a prerelease agreement in effect between the institution and your local Social Security office. However, you may file an application for SSI benefits under the prerelease procedure even if there is no agreement in effect.

A prerelease agreement may be formal (a written agreement signed by both parties) or informal. Under the agreement, we help institutional and social service staffs learn the prerelease procedure, and we provide a contact to assist the institution in applying the prerelease procedure.

The institution agrees to:

	notify us if you appear likely to meet the criteria for SSI eligibility and you could be released within 30 days after notification of potential SSI eligibility;
	provide current medical evidence and nonmedical information needed to process your claim;
	provide your anticipated release date and notify us of any delays that may result in a later release date; and
	notify us when you are released.

We agree to:

	process your claim or reinstatement as quickly as possible; and
	notify the institution of the SSI determination promptly.