Connecting formerly incarcerated people with mental and physical health needs to financial support through social security programs.

Community Partners

Mental Health Project staff, Zuly Alvarado, explains the complicated process of applying for SSI and SSI.

Due to discrimination, many formerly incarcerated people struggle with financial stability. It’s even harder if they have a mental or physical health condition that prevents them from working. While there are government programs that can help, the application process is long and confusing. Even if someone has gotten approved in the past, payments can be interrupted by incarceration. 
Social security programs, like <a href="https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SSI</a> and <a href="https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/disability/">SSDI</a>, improve mental health and wellbeing of people with mental health needs by providing access to financial support and health care. For formerly incarcerated people with disabilities, financial stability plays an important role in disrupting cycles of hospitalization, homelessness, and incarceration. By breaking down how to apply for these programs, more formerly incarcerated people with disabilities can be empowered to seek financial support and stability. 
That’s why The Mental Health Project of the Urban Justice Center collaborated with CUP and designers 13 milliseconds to create Stay Steady with SSI and SSDI, an English and Spanish booklet that explains how to apply for these programs and what to expect throughout the process. The booklet also includes information about how to appeal if your application is denied. 
The Mental Health Project is sharing the booklet within their network of clients and partner organizations. Thanks to the generous support of <a href="https://wellcome.org/what-we-do/our-work/mindscapes" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wellcome's Mindscapes Program</a>, CUP has been able to distribute over 24,500 copies to 14 organizations across New York City that work with formerly incarcerated people including Queens Legal Services, Brooklyn Defender Services, NYC Health and Hospitals, and Empower, Assist and Care Community Re-entry Assistance Networks.

The project helps readers see the process of applying for SSI and SSDI from start to finish, and know what to expect—and where they can get support—every step of the way. The cover introduces a character following the steps to apply for SSI and SSDI. The booklet includes information about the different ways to apply and the documents that are required.

Check out the Project

Stay Steady — English

Stay Steady — Spanish

CUP
<a href="https://welcometocup.org/people/genea-foster">Genea Foster</a><a href="https://welcometocup.org/people/agustín-cepeda"> Agustín Cepeda</a>

Community Partner
<a href="https://welcometocup.org/people/mental-health-project-of-the-urban-justice-center" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Mental Health Project of the Urban Justice Center</a> Ann Biddle Zuly Alvarado

Designers
<a href="https://welcometocup.org/people/13-milliseconds" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">13 milliseconds</a><a href="https://welcometocup.org/people/shelby-rashap" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> </a> Sharon Bach François Huyghe

Project Collaborators

<h4> Special Thanks</h4>
 Dennis Adams, Gregory Melton, Marco Barrios (community members) and to the team of translators at Translingua Associates Inc (translators). 
<h4>Product Details</h4>
5.5″ x 8.5″ color booklet 
<h4>Funding Support </h4>
Support for this project was provided by Wellcome. It is part of <a href="http://wellcome.org/what-we-do/our-work/mindscapes">Mindscapes</a>, Wellcome’s international cultural program about mental health.

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Hyperakt is a purpose-driven design and innovation studio that elevates human dignity and ignites curiosity. Since 2001, co-founders Julia Zeltser and Deroy Peraza, along with the Hyperakt team, have been partnering with change-makers moving society forward. We believe in design’s power to build a future filled with courage, optimism, and honesty.

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The Center for Urban Pedagogy (CUP) is a nonprofit organization that uses the power of design and art to increase meaningful civic engagement in partnership with historically marginalized communities.

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