These reentry myth-buster fact sheets were created by the Federal Interagency Reentry Council to clarify existing federal policies that affect formerly incarcerated individuals and their families.
Non-custodial parents who are incarcerated cannot have their child support orders reduced.
Child welfare agencies are required to terminate parental rights if a parent is incarcerated.
Eligibility for Social Security benefits cannot be reinstated when an individual is released from incarceration.
A parent with a felony conviction cannot receive TANF/welfare.
A person with a criminal record is not eligible to receive federal student financial aid.
Individuals convicted of a felony can never receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly the Food Stamp Program) benefits.
An individual cannot apply for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly the Food Stamp Program) benefits without a valid State-issued identification card.
An individual cannot apply for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly the Food Stamp Program) benefits without a mailing address.
Individuals who have been convicted of a crime are “banned” from public housing.
Veterans cannot request to have their VA benefits resumed until they are officially released from incarceration.
Businesses and employers have no way to protect themselves from potential property and monetary losses should an individual they hire prove to be dishonest.
People with criminal records are automatically barred from employment.
The federal government’s hiring policies prohibit employment of people with criminal records.