Do Social Security benefits continue during incarceration? 74-year-old father jailed

Social Security retirement benefits are suspended if someone is incarcerated for more than 30 consecutive days. The payments stop until the person is released from prison. This applies regardless of age - even at 74. The prison reports this to SSA automatically, so you don't need to notify them about the incarceration. The good news is that benefits can be reinstated the month following release - he doesn't lose eligibility permanently. He (or you with proper authorization) will need to contact SSA right after his release to get payments restarted.

my uncle went thru this last yr. they cut his check off the 2nd month he was in. he had to go to the ss office with release papers to get it turned back on. took almost 3 weeks to get money again after that

I work in benefits counseling and want to add that while his retirement benefits will be suspended during incarceration, they don't terminate his Medicare coverage if he has it - though it becomes largely useless while he's incarcerated since the prison provides healthcare. If his Medicare premiums were being deducted from his SS check, he'll need to make arrangements to pay those premiums directly to avoid coverage gaps. Also, when he's released, make sure he brings documentation showing his release date when he goes to restart benefits. The prison should provide this paperwork upon release.

This happened with my mom's neighbor (different circumstances but also incarcerated in his 70s). Just want to warn you that getting benefits restarted can be a NIGHTMARE. The local office kept losing his paperwork and he ended up homeless for almost two months because of the delay. Make sure you're ready to help your dad navigate the system when he gets out!!!

they WILL find out hes locked up even if u dont tell them. prisons report to SS

While your father's retirement benefits will be suspended during incarceration, it's important to know that some programs like SSI have different rules than regular Social Security retirement. With SSI, benefits can be suspended for up to 12 months before termination, but with traditional retirement benefits, they're just suspended and can be reinstated after release regardless of how long the incarceration lasts. Make sure you're applying for reinstatement as soon as possible after release. Also, if your father was receiving any other benefits like food stamps, housing assistance, etc., those all have different rules during incarceration. Each program requires separate notification for reinstatement.

Thanks everyone for the helpful responses. I feel much better prepared now. To summarize: his benefits will be suspended (not terminated), we need to get them reinstated right after release with proper documentation, and I should plan for 2-3 weeks without income after his release while SSA processes everything. I should also figure out how to handle his Medicare premiums while he's incarcerated. I'm going to look into getting power of attorney so I can help manage all this while he's inside.