I recently received an email question from a blog reader about the eligibility of a convicted felon for Social Security disability benefits. There is a simple answer here - you may not collect disability benefits during the time you are incarcerated. Social Security ruling 83-28 addresses this situation directly.
Assuming that Social Security will accept an application for disability benefits from a claimant who is incarcerated, I do not believe that the adjudication process actually stops during the incarceration. I have actually attended hearings held in prison. The problem - incarcerated claimants often do not get treatment from physicians who are very interested in filling out forms or helping the prisonor/claimant. Further, judges tend to be somewhat skeptical about the credibility of an imprisoned claimant. Bottom line - it is an uphill battle for many reasons.
Post from: Social Security Disability Blog
May an Incarcerated Felon Receive Social Security Disability Benefits?
I recently received an email question from a blog reader about the eligibility of a convicted felon for Social Security disability benefits. There is a simple answer here - you may not collect disability benefits during the time you are incarcerated. Social Security ruling 83-28 addresses this situation directly.
Assuming that Social Security will accept an application for disability benefits from a claimant who is incarcerated, I do not believe that the adjudication process actually stops during the incarceration. I have actually attended hearings held in prison. The problem - incarcerated claimants often do not get treatment from physicians who are very interested in filling out forms or helping the prisonor/claimant. Further, judges tend to be somewhat skeptical about the credibility of an imprisoned claimant. Bottom line - it is an uphill battle for many reasons.
Post from: Social Security Disability Blog
May an Incarcerated Felon Receive Social Security Disability Benefits?