Montana made two significant commitments to reentry in 2025. In October, Governor Gianforte announced the launch of the HEART Initiative Reentry Program -- a federally approved Medicaid program that begins providing behavioral health services, medication-assisted treatment, and a 30-day medication supply to eligible individuals in the 30 days before their release from state prison. In the same year, the Montana Legislature passed and the governor signed House Bill 718, establishing a new Office of Reentry at the Montana Department of Labor and Industry to coordinate employment reintegration for formerly incarcerated Montanans.
Montana's voting rights rules are among the most favorable in the country: your right to vote is restored the moment you leave prison, even if you are still on parole or probation.
Here is how the system works and what you need to do.
What Montana DOC and MCE Provide at Release
Montana Correctional Enterprises (MCE, cor.mt.gov/MCE/Reentry) operates a reentry ID and documents program that assists incarcerated individuals with obtaining documents before release. MCE helps with:
Montana identification cards
Montana driver's licenses (renewal and replacement)
Replacement Social Security cards
Replacement birth certificates
MCE also provides testing for Class D driver's licenses and CDL renewals.
These services are for incarcerated individuals only. MCE does not assist with ID replacement once you have left prison, including replacement of an ID obtained through MCE while incarcerated. This means you need to ask about these services before your release date, not after.
Ask your case manager or MCE contact at your facility:
Has my Montana state ID or driver's license application been initiated?
Has my Social Security card replacement been requested?
Has my birth certificate been obtained or requested?
Am I eligible for Class D or CDL testing before release?
Montana Offender Reentry and Risk Assessment (MORRA): Montana uses a standardized, validated evidence-based instrument to assess recidivism probability and identify risk factors and criminogenic needs, ensuring that programming and services are targeted appropriately.
Getting Your Montana State ID or Driver's License After Release
If you release without an ID, Montana state IDs and driver's licenses are issued by the Montana Motor Vehicle Division (MVD). Find locations and requirements at doj.mt.gov/driving.
You will need documents establishing your identity, Social Security number, and Montana residency. Standard documents include a birth certificate or passport, your Social Security card, and proof of a Montana address. Your Montana DOC release documentation serves as a supporting identity document.
Getting Your Social Security Card
If your Social Security card was not obtained through MCE before release, contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213, apply online at ssa.gov, or visit your nearest SSA office. Replacement cards are free. Bring your state ID and birth certificate.
Ask your case manager whether your facility has a prerelease SSA agreement, which allows the card replacement and benefit application process to begin up to 90 days before release.
Getting Your Birth Certificate
If you were born in Montana, request a certified copy from the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) Vital Statistics Bureau at dphhs.mt.gov or by calling (406) 444-2685. Fees apply; confirm the current amount at publish time.
Your MCE reentry contact can assist with this request before release. Start this process early -- out-of-state birth certificate requests can delay your ID process if you were born in another state.
HEART Initiative Reentry Program: Medicaid Pre-Release Services
Montana is one of the first states in the country to operate a Medicaid reentry program providing services inside state prisons in the period before release.
The HEART (Healing and Ending Addiction through Recovery and Treatment) Initiative Reentry Program was approved by CMS on February 26, 2024 and launched in October 2025. Montana was the third state in the country to receive CMS approval for this type of program (after California and Washington). The program is administered jointly by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) and the Montana Department of Corrections (DOC).
Who is eligible for HEART Reentry services:
Individuals in Montana state prisons who are Medicaid-enrolled and who have a qualifying substance use disorder and/or serious mental illness. Approximately 20 percent of Montana's state prison population has a serious mental illness; about 40 percent of individuals processed through DOC were convicted of offenses related to substance use. DPHHS and DOC identify and enroll eligible individuals in services ahead of their scheduled prison release dates.
What the HEART Reentry Program provides in the 30 days before release:
Pre-release case management to plan and coordinate services in the community.
In-reach physical and behavioral health clinical consultation (optional) to support warm handoffs to community-based providers.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) services.
A 30-day supply of medication to have in hand upon release.
The case management relationship established before release continues after discharge, with the community-based provider supporting the individual through the transition to stable treatment and community life.
Why this matters: A 2020 study found that individuals released from Montana DOC had an 11.2 times higher risk of death than the general population, driven by a 27 times higher overdose rate. The HEART Reentry Program directly addresses this gap. The 30-day medication supply in hand at release is designed to prevent the critical window of overdose risk immediately after release.
Montana Medicaid (HELP/Expansion): Montana expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act through the HELP (Health and Economic Livelihood Partnership) program. Low-income adults who meet income requirements are eligible for Medicaid after release. Montana state prisons assess inmates for Medicaid eligibility during incarceration and begin the application process. Upon release to a prerelease center or other community placement, contact DPHHS to activate coverage. Apply or enroll at dphhs.mt.gov or through your case manager before release.
If you are not eligible for HEART Reentry services (because you do not have a qualifying behavioral health need), you may still be eligible for standard Montana Medicaid after release based on income. Ask your case manager about both pathways.
SNAP: Food Assistance
Montana's SNAP program is administered by DPHHS at dphhs.mt.gov.
Apply online through the DPHHS benefits portal, by phone, or at your local DPHHS office. You will need to verify identity, residency, income, and household composition.
Ask your case manager about pre-release SNAP enrollment. Confirm the current SNAP drug conviction policy in Montana with your case manager or at dphhs.mt.gov before applying.
Voting Rights in Montana
Montana has among the most favorable voting rights restoration rules in the country.
Under the Montana Constitution (art. IV, §2), a convicted person is ineligible to vote only while "serving a sentence for a felony in a penal institution." Your right to vote is restored the moment you are released from incarceration -- even if you are still on parole or probation.
Montana Code Ann. §46-18-801(2) confirms that upon completion of your sentence or a pardon, you are "restored to all civil rights and full citizenship, the same as if the conviction had not occurred."
If you have completed a felony prison sentence and are on parole or probation, you are immediately eligible to register to vote in Montana. Montana has same-day voter registration. Photo ID is required to vote in person; you will need a Montana driver's license or state ID, military ID, tribal photo ID, US passport, or Montana concealed carry permit.
Montana Office of Reentry and 406 JOBS
House Bill 718, passed by the 2025 Montana Legislature and signed by Governor Gianforte, established an Office of Reentry at the Montana Department of Labor and Industry. This office plays a key role in the governor's 406 JOBS initiative, which aims to re-engage formerly incarcerated Montanans of prime working age who have exited the workforce. Contact the Montana Department of Labor and Industry (dli.mt.gov) for information about the Office of Reentry and 406 JOBS services.
Montana Reentry Resources
Montana DOC Reentry / MCE (cor.mt.gov/MCE/Reentry): ID documents (state ID, driver's license, Social Security card, birth certificate) before release; Class D and CDL testing.
HEART Initiative Reentry Program (dphhs.mt.gov/HeartInitiative/JusticeInvolved): Pre-release Medicaid services (30 days before release) for eligible individuals with SUD/mental illness; case management, MAT, clinical consultation, 30-day medication supply. Launched October 2025.
Montana DPHHS / Medicaid (dphhs.mt.gov): Montana Medicaid (HELP expansion) enrollment; SNAP; HEART Reentry Program.
Montana Office of Reentry / 406 JOBS (dli.mt.gov): Employment re-engagement for formerly incarcerated Montanans; established by HB 718 (2025).
Montana MVD (doj.mt.gov/driving): State ID and driver's license after release.
Montana DPHHS Vital Statistics (dphhs.mt.gov; 406-444-2685): Birth certificates.
Montana Legal Services Association (montanalegalservices.org): Free civil legal assistance for eligible low-income Montanans including housing, benefits access, and reentry issues.
211 Montana (dial 211 or mt211.com): Statewide referrals to housing, food, health, and social services by county.
Social Security Administration (ssa.gov; 1-800-772-1213): SSI and SSDI; prerelease card replacement and benefit applications.
Frequently asked questions
Does Montana DOC help with ID documents before release?
Yes. Montana Correctional Enterprises (MCE, cor.mt.gov/MCE/Reentry) assists incarcerated individuals with Montana ID cards, driver's licenses, Social Security card replacements, and birth certificates before release. MCE also provides Class D and CDL driver testing. These services are only available while you are incarcerated -- MCE cannot assist with ID replacement after you leave. Ask about your ID status before your release date and confirm that each document is in process.
What is the HEART Reentry Program in Montana?
The HEART (Healing and Ending Addiction through Recovery and Treatment) Initiative Reentry Program, launched in October 2025, provides Medicaid-funded services to eligible individuals with a qualifying substance use disorder or serious mental illness in the 30 days before release from Montana state prisons. Services include pre-release case management, optional in-reach clinical consultation, Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), and a 30-day supply of medication in hand at release. Montana was the third state in the country to receive CMS approval for this type of program. DPHHS and DOC jointly identify and enroll eligible individuals before their scheduled release dates.
Can I get Medicaid after prison in Montana?
Yes. Montana expanded Medicaid under the ACA through the HELP program. Low-income adults who meet income requirements are eligible for Montana Medicaid after release. Montana state prisons assess inmates for Medicaid eligibility during incarceration. Upon release to a prerelease center or other community placement, contact DPHHS to activate coverage. If you have a qualifying substance use disorder or serious mental illness, you may also be eligible for HEART Reentry Program pre-release services starting 30 days before release. Apply or enroll at dphhs.mt.gov.
Can I get SNAP benefits after prison in Montana?
Yes. SNAP is available to eligible Montanans after release. Apply through DPHHS at dphhs.mt.gov, by phone, or at your local DPHHS office. Ask your case manager about pre-release SNAP enrollment. Confirm current SNAP drug conviction policy at dphhs.mt.gov or with your case manager before applying.
Can I vote after prison in Montana?
Yes -- and Montana's rules are among the most favorable in the country. Under the Montana Constitution, you are ineligible to vote only while serving a felony sentence in a penal institution. Your voting rights are restored the moment you are released from incarceration, even if you are still on parole or probation. Montana Code Ann. §46-18-801(2) confirms that upon sentence completion, you are restored to all civil rights and full citizenship. Montana has same-day voter registration. Photo ID is required to vote in person.
How do I get my birth certificate in Montana?
If you were born in Montana, request a certified copy from the Montana DPHHS Vital Statistics Bureau at dphhs.mt.gov or by calling (406) 444-2685. Your MCE reentry contact can assist before release. If you were born in another state, contact that state's vital records office and start this process early -- delays in out-of-state requests can slow down your entire ID process. Confirm the current Montana birth certificate fee at publish time.
How do I replace my Social Security card in Montana?
Contact SSA at 1-800-772-1213, apply online at ssa.gov, or visit your nearest SSA office. Replacement cards are free. Bring your state ID and birth certificate. MCE can assist with this process before release -- ask your MCE contact or case manager about the status of your Social Security card request. Ask whether your facility has a prerelease SSA agreement allowing this process to begin up to 90 days before release.
What is the Montana Office of Reentry?
The Office of Reentry was established at the Montana Department of Labor and Industry by House Bill 718, passed by the 2025 Montana Legislature and signed by Governor Gianforte. The office plays a key role in the 406 JOBS initiative, which aims to re-engage formerly incarcerated Montanans of prime working age who have left the workforce. Contact the Montana Department of Labor and Industry (dli.mt.gov) for current programs and services.
What benefits can I apply for after release in Montana?
Montana Medicaid (HELP expansion) at dphhs.mt.gov if income is at or below approximately 138% FPL -- apply or activate with DPHHS on release. HEART Reentry Program services (pre-release, for SUD/mental illness) coordinated by DPHHS and DOC. SNAP (food assistance) at dphhs.mt.gov. SSI or SSDI through SSA (1-800-772-1213) if you qualify through age or disability. Veterans' benefits through the VA if applicable. Employment and workforce services through the Montana Office of Reentry / 406 JOBS at dli.mt.gov.
What is the MCE reentry ID program?
Montana Correctional Enterprises (MCE) is the Montana DOC's enterprise that, among other things, operates a reentry ID and documents program inside state prisons. MCE helps incarcerated individuals obtain Montana ID cards, driver's licenses (including renewals and replacements), replacement Social Security cards, and replacement birth certificates before release. MCE also provides Class D driver's license testing and CDL renewals. These services must be used while you are incarcerated -- MCE does not provide ID assistance after release. Ask your case manager about initiating MCE reentry services as early as possible in your incarceration, not just in the weeks before release. ---