Joint Access to Benefits (JAB) was started to initiate the SSA disability application process for individuals to be released from incarceration in Multnomah County, Oregon, or for those who have been released and are homeless. JAB is a collaborative project between the Multnomah County Department of Community Justice’s Transition Services Unit, the State of Oregon Departments of Corrections and Human Services, Multnomah County’s Sheriff’s Office, the Department of County Human Services, and the SSA district office.
Much of JAB’s work is done inside correctional facilities. The application process is initiated six months prior to release. JAB staff work with social workers inside the correctional facilities to complete the application by phone. The application is then flagged as a JAB file and expedited through the process so that the applicant can begin receiving benefits as soon as he or she is released. To facilitate this process, Liv Jenssen of JAB has developed relationships with the County, SSA, and DDS staff. In 2004, JAB submitted 79 applications of which 90 percent were approved.