At Globe Live Media we tell you what can happen to your Social Security benefits if, unfortunately, you end up in jail in the US, as well as what can happen to your Medicare insurance
One key thing to know about Social Security benefits in the United States is that they are not sent to people who are in jail. According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), benefits such as Supplemental Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability benefits are not payable to people who are in jail because they have committed a crime.
In the event that you are a Social Security beneficiary, the SSA will suspend all of your benefits if you are convicted of a criminal offense and are sentenced to prison or jail for more than 30 continuous days.
Benefits will be reinstated in the month following the month in which you were released.
This does not mean that your spouse or children cannot receive Social Security benefits. On the contrary, they will be able to receive them, as long as they continue to meet the requirements for it.
On the other hand, the rules governing Supplemental Security Income are a little different. In the event that you receive this benefit and end up in jail, those benefits will be suspended for the time you are incarcerated, and will only resume the month you are released.
However, if your confinement lasts for 12 consecutive months or more, the SSA will suspend your eligibility for Supplemental Security Income, so you will need to reapply for these stipends after you are released.
What would happen to my Medicare insurance if I am in jail?
Your eligibility for Medicare Part A (which covers hospital insurance) continues uninterrupted while you are in jail.
To maintain Medicare Part B coverage, you will need to pay your monthly premiums, or your coverage will end.
However, even if you can enroll in Medicare, the SSA advises that Medicare will not pay for your hospital or medical bills while you are in jail. However, the SSA also recommends that you pay your premiums so that you can avoid penalties.