BASIC (01-09)

Citations:

Social Security Act, section 223(d)(6);

20 C.F.R. § 404.1506;

SSR 83-21

A. Prisoner case definition of terms

1. Felony

An offense is considered a felony if:

1. It is a felony under applicable law; or

2. In a jurisdiction which does not classify any crime as a felony, it is an offense punishable by death or imprisonment for a term exceeding 1 year.

2. Correctional Facility

A facility under the control and jurisdiction of the agency in charge of the penal system or in which convicted criminals can be incarcerated for example, jails, prisons, or penal institutions.

3. Confinement

Confinement in correctional a facility continues as long as the individual is under a sentence of confinement and has not been released due to parole or pardon. An individual is considered confined even though temporarily or intermittently outside of the facility (e.g., on work release, attending school, or hospitalized). For information on when a Title II beneficiary is considered confined in a penal or correctional facility for conviction of a crime for purposes of suspension of Title II benefit payments, see GN 02607.000 Prisoner Provisions Title II.

4. Conviction

A conviction is the judgment in a criminal case that an individual is guilty of a crime. It may result from:

• a verdict or finding of guilty,

• a plea of guilty, or

• a plea of nolo contendere (no contest).

The status of a criminal case at the time of adjudication of the claim must be determined. Unless the claimant is actually convicted of a felony committed after October 19, 1980, the prisoner provisions in this subchapter do not apply.

NOTE: A grand jury indictment or any official act by a law enforcement agency merely charging an individual with a felony will not delay entitlement to or payment of benefits. However, if an individual is convicted of a felony but the conviction is under appeal, the prisoner provisions do apply.

B. Restrictions on Title II disability determinations for convicted felons

Title II determinations of disability for persons convicted of a felony or confined for conviction of a felony are restricted as follows:

1. Any physical or mental impairment which arises or is aggravated (but only to the extent of the aggravation) in connection with an individual's commission of a felony after October 19, 1980, for which the individual is subsequently convicted, shall not be considered in determining whether the individual is under a disability under Title II. This exclusion applies regardless of whether the individual is incarcerated pursuant to conviction. The impairment or aggravation of an impairment must be excluded for the lifetime of the individual.

2. Any physical or mental impairment that arises or is aggravated (but only to the extent of the aggravation) in connection with the individual's confinement in a jail, prison, or other penal institution or correctional facility pursuant to his or her conviction of a felony committed after October 19, 1980, shall not be considered in determining whether the individual is under a disability under Title II for purposes of benefits payable for any month during which the individual is so confined.

   NOTE: These restrictions do not apply to Title XVI cases. For information about Title XVI prisoner provisions, see GN 02607.050 – Title XVI Prisoner Provision.

C. Other Title II restrictions affecting prisoners

1. Restriction on Title II student benefits

An individual shall not be considered a “full-time elementary or secondary school student” while that individual is confined in a jail, prison, or other penal institution or correctional facility pursuant to his or her conviction of a felony committed after October 19, 1980.

2. Suspension of Title II benefits to prisoners

For instructions on suspending Title II benefit payments to Title II beneficiaries confined to penal institutions for conviction of crimes, see GN 02607.000 Prisoner Provisions Title II.

3. Continuing Disability Review (CDR)

For instructions on Prisoner CDR cases, see DI 28065.000 Cases Involving Individuals convicted of a Felony.