Inmate Pre-release NA Referrals
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Inmate Pre-release NA Applications are received from inmates who participate in the Division of Employment and Rehabilitation Services (DERS) Re-entry Program (REP).
Policy
FAA accepts NA applications from incarcerated applicants. This policy applies only to inmates who participate in the Division of Employment and Rehabilitation Services (DERS) Re-entry Program (REP) at any of the following correctional facilities:
●Perryville State Prison
●Lewis State Prison
●Tucson State Prison
An inmate in one of these correctional facilities may apply for NA benefits before being released. FAA considers the date of release from the correctional facility as the effective date for the NA benefits, once verified, when the inmate is released on a workday(g). When the inmate is released on a day that is not a workday, the effective date of NA benefits is the next workday after the date of release of the inmate.
When FAA receives an application from an inmate who participates in the DERS REP, AZTECS sends a notice advising the inmate to contact FAA for an interview.
Procedures
When an application is received by an inmate who participates in the DERS REP, AZTECS sends the Notice Of Appointment Needed (X904) notice advising the participant that an interview must be completed and the required interview time frame.
The application remains pending until one of the following occurs:
●The participant is released from the correctional facility and completes an interview
●The application is denied because the participant has not contacted FAA to complete the interview within 30 calendar days(g) of the application date
When the participant completes an interview after the 30th calendar day, but prior to the 60th calendar day, revert the case to open on REPT and prorate the benefits to the date of the interview.
When a participant is an inmate not participating in the DERS REP, follow the application procedures outlined in Application Requirements.
Verification
System interface and the case file(g) must be reviewed before verification is requested. No additional verification is needed when AZTECS interface or HEAplus hubs have verified needed information.
The participant has the primary responsibility for providing verification. (See Participant Responsibilities – Providing Verification for additional policy.)
AZTECS Procedures
Prorate the application to the date of release.
Key IN in the PT field on SEPA.
Legal Authorities
7 CFR 273.1(c)
7 CFR 273.1(b)(7)(vi)
7 CFR 273.1(e)(2)
7 CFR 273.2(g)(1)
7 CFR 273.2(i)(3)(i)
7 CFR 273.2(n)(4)(i)(C)
7 CFR 273.3(a)
7 CFR 273.11(e)
7 CFR 273.11(g)
last revised 09/26/2022