Can I Still Receive Disability Benefits if I Have an Outstanding Arrest Warrant?
If you qualified for Social Security disability benefits and are currently collecting disability payments, don’t assume that there’s nothing that can disrupt those payments. For example, you may have some trouble remaining eligible for disability payments if you have an outstanding arrest warrant.
How an Arrest Can Affect Your Disability Benefits
First of all, when it comes to disability benefits and arrest records, it’s not all cut and dry. The following are some of the important things that you should know about how your disability benefits can be affected by an arrest:
Having an outstanding arrest warrant
If you have an outstanding warrant for your arrest that is for a felony crime or for a crime that is punishable by imprisonment or death, then you will not be eligible to receive your disability benefits during the period of time in which you have that outstanding warrant.
Being under arrest
If arrested, you will still collect your disability benefits. You’ll want to make sure that you speak to a lawyer that has experience with Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) cases so that they can ensure that you still receive your benefits while you are under arrest.
Incarceration
Prisoners do not receive an income source while incarcerated. Thus, if sentenced to prison, then you will no longer receive your disability benefits. Even if you receive a sentence that is less than a month long, you will not receive benefits for that month.
Occasional release
Some prisoners will be temporarily released for short periods of time. This can happen for a work release, hospitalization, or school. If you receive such a release, you will still not be eligible for your disability benefits because the SSA still considers you confined.
Vocational rehabilitation program
If you agree to enter into an approved vocational rehabilitation program, your benefits will not cease.
Families of incarcerated individuals
If your family depends on your disability benefits for their household income, they can still qualify for your disability benefits.
Do not avoid your arrest warrant. You will not continue getting your Social Security disability benefits while you have an active warrant. You will still receive your benefits while under arrest until your sentencing.
Your benefits will temporarily suspend if incarcerated for more than 30 days. If sentenced to a year in jail, you will need to file a new disability application upon release.
To schedule a free consultation with SSDA USA, be sure to contact us at any time by calling us at 602-952-3200. You can also get in touch with us via our LiveChat feature.
This is attorney advertising. SSDA, LLC is a group of attorneys that pursues claims for Social Security Disability benefits on behalf of its clients against the Social Security Administration. SSDA, LLC is in no way a part of the Social Security Administration. Further, the information on this blog is for general information purposes only. Nothing herein should be taken as legal advice. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, a representative-client relationship.
