Texas releases more people from state correctional facilities each year than any other state. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) runs a three-phase Reentry Program with a dedicated Phase I specifically for identification documents -- Social Security card, certified birth certificate, and state ID -- that assists eligible individuals at the time of release.
Texas has not expanded Medicaid, placing it among approximately 10 remaining non-expansion states. Most returning adults without dependent children will not qualify for Texas Medicaid after release.
Texas has no drug conviction SNAP ban, and a 2023 law (HB 1743) requires TDCJ and HHSC to establish a pre-release SNAP assessment process to help returning citizens get benefits faster.
Voting rights are restored in Texas only after completion of the full sentence including parole or probation -- not at release.
Here is how the system works and what you need to do.
TDCJ Phase I: Identification Documents at Release
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) Reentry Program Phase I is specifically designed to assist eligible offenders in obtaining identification documents at the time of release. Phase I covers:
A replacement Social Security card.
A certified birth certificate.
A Texas state identification card.
Ask your TDCJ unit case manager or reentry staff well before your release date whether you are identified for Phase I assistance, and whether each of the three documents has been initiated or completed. The Phase I process is not automatic for every individual -- confirm your status directly.
TDCJ Three-Phase Reentry Program
TDCJ's Rehabilitation and Reentry Division (RRD) operates a three-phase Reentry Program guided by legislative mandates and proven best practices.
Phase I -- Identification Processing: Assists eligible offenders with obtaining replacement Social Security card, certified birth certificate, and state identification card at time of release (see above).
Phase II -- Assessment and Reentry Planning: Completion of a risk and needs assessment with individual case planning for those at moderate to high risk of re-offending.
Phase III -- Community Reentry Services: Post-release individual case management, employment readiness training, and employment services with an emphasis on obtaining sustainable employment.
TCOOMMI (Texas Correctional Office on Offenders with Medical or Mental Impairments) works within TDCJ's Reentry and Integration Division to provide pre-release screenings and referrals to aftercare treatment services for individuals with medical or mental health needs. TCOOMMI contracts with Local Mental Health Authorities (LMHAs) to provide continuity of care through community-based services for justice-involved people on probation or parole.
Contact RRD: Rehabilitation and Reentry Division, 4616 W Howard Lane, Suite 200, Austin, TX 78728; toll free: (877) 887-6151; email: RRD@tdcj.texas.gov.
TDCJ Reentry Resource Guide: Available at multiple locations in each TDCJ unit and at tdcj.texas.gov after release. The Texas State Law Library maintains a comprehensive reentry guide (updated within the past month as of filing) at guides.sll.texas.gov/reentry-resources.
TDCJ Veterans Resources: TDCJ coordinates with the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) for eligible incarcerated veterans. 55 volunteer-run veteran programs operate on TDCJ units statewide. A Veterans Reentry Dorm is available for state jail veterans in partnership with TVC and the Samaritan Center.
Getting Your Texas State ID or Driver's License
Texas state IDs and driver's licenses are issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS, dps.texas.gov).
Phase I of TDCJ's reentry program assists eligible individuals with obtaining a state ID at release. Confirm with your case manager whether this has been completed.
If your ID was not obtained through Phase I, visit any Texas DPS driver's license office after release. You will need a birth certificate, Social Security card, and proof of Texas residency. Your TDCJ release documentation serves as a supporting identity document.
Getting Your Social Security Card
Phase I of TDCJ's reentry program assists eligible individuals with obtaining a replacement Social Security card. Confirm with your case manager whether this has been initiated and completed.
If your Social Security card was not obtained, 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.
Ask your case manager whether your facility has a prerelease SSA agreement allowing the process to begin up to 90 days before release.
Getting Your Birth Certificate
Phase I of TDCJ's reentry program assists eligible individuals with obtaining a certified birth certificate. Confirm with your case manager whether this has been initiated and completed.
If your birth certificate was not obtained through Phase I and you were born in Texas, request a certified copy from the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Unit at hhs.texas.gov/vital-statistics or by calling (512) 776-7111. The fee is currently $22 per copy.
If you were born in another state, contact that state's vital records office. Start this process early -- out-of-state requests take time.
Medicaid in Texas
Texas has not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. Texas Medicaid is administered by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC, hhs.texas.gov; 2-1-1 for referrals). Eligibility is limited to specific categories:
Children under 18.
Pregnant women.
Parents and caretaker relatives of minor children at very low income thresholds.
People who qualify through disability (through SSI/SSDI).
People ages 65+.
Most single adults and childless adults returning from Texas state prisons will not qualify for Texas Medicaid after release regardless of income. There is a coverage gap in Texas.
If you have dependent children and very low income, ask your TDCJ case manager before release whether a Medicaid application can be initiated. When released from county jail, the county is required to give you a Medicaid Information flyer with instructions for applying or re-establishing benefits.
For free and low-cost health care: community health centers accepting low-income patients are searchable at findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov. FreeClinics.com also lists free and affordable health clinics in Texas.
SNAP: Food Assistance
Texas has no drug conviction SNAP ban. People with drug felony convictions are eligible for SNAP in Texas subject to standard income and eligibility requirements.
Apply for SNAP through HHSC at yourtexasbenefits.com or call 2-1-1 (and select option 2).
Texas HB 1743 (2023): This law requires TDCJ and HHSC to enter into a memorandum of understanding to ensure that inmates who are likely to be eligible for SNAP benefits are assessed by HHSC for eligibility before their discharge or release. The MOU must establish a procedure for HHSC to accept and process SNAP applications from inmates. Ask your TDCJ case manager before release whether this pre-release SNAP assessment has been initiated for you.
Note: HHSC SNAP processing times have exceeded 60 days in some cases due to staffing shortages. Applying as early as possible -- through the pre-release process or immediately upon release -- is critical to avoid extended food insecurity after release.
Voting Rights in Texas
In Texas, a felony conviction bars voting during incarceration AND during any period of parole or probation. Voting rights are restored automatically only after you have completed your entire sentence, including all parole and probation supervision.
Once all supervision is complete, you may register to vote at votetexas.gov. Contact Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (trla.org) or the Texas Center for Justice and Equity (texascje.org) if you have questions about your specific eligibility.
TDCJ and Texas Reentry Resources
TDCJ Rehabilitation and Reentry Division (tdcj.texas.gov/divisions/rrd; 877-887-6151; RRD@tdcj.texas.gov): Three-phase Reentry Program; Phase I ID documents (SSN, birth certificate, state ID) at release; Phase II risk/needs assessment; Phase III post-release case management and employment; Reentry Resource Guide; veterans programs.
TCOOMMI (tdcj.texas.gov/divisions/rrd): Pre-release mental health and medical screenings; referrals to aftercare; contracts with LMHAs for post-release continuity of care.
Texas State Law Library Reentry Guide (guides.sll.texas.gov/reentry-resources): Comprehensive updated resource guide for Texas returning citizens.
Texas Criminal Justice Coalition / Texas County Resources Map (texascje.org): Interactive county map to find local reentry resources throughout Texas.
Texas HHSC / SNAP and Medicaid (yourtexasbenefits.com; 2-1-1): SNAP and Medicaid applications.
Texas DPS (dps.texas.gov): State ID and driver's license.
Texas DSHS Vital Statistics (hhs.texas.gov/vital-statistics; 512-776-7111): Birth certificates; $22 per copy.
Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (trla.org): Free civil legal assistance for eligible low-income residents in south, west, and central Texas, including reentry matters.
Lone Star Legal Aid (lonestarlegal.org): Free civil legal assistance for eligible low-income residents in east and south Texas.
211 Texas (tx.211.org; dial 211): Statewide referrals to housing, food, health, and social services by county.
Social Security Administration (ssa.gov; 1-800-772-1213): SSI and SSDI applications; SSA Reentry Benefits at ssa.gov/reentry/benefits.htm.
Frequently asked questions
Does TDCJ help with ID documents before release?
Yes. Phase I of TDCJ's three-phase Reentry Program specifically assists eligible individuals with obtaining a replacement Social Security card, certified birth certificate, and Texas state ID card at the time of release. Ask your TDCJ unit case manager well before your release date whether you are identified for Phase I assistance and whether each of the three documents has been initiated or completed. Phase I is for eligible individuals and is not automatic for everyone -- confirm your status directly.
What are the three phases of the TDCJ reentry program?
Phase I is Identification Processing: assisting eligible individuals with obtaining a Social Security card, birth certificate, and state ID at release. Phase II is Assessment and Reentry Planning: risk and needs assessment with individual case planning for moderate to high-risk individuals. Phase III is Community Reentry Services: post-release case management, employment readiness training, and employment services focused on sustainable employment. TCOOMMI supports individuals with mental health and medical needs through pre-release screenings and referrals to LMHA aftercare services. Contact RRD at 877-887-6151 or RRD@tdcj.texas.gov.
Can I get Medicaid after prison in Texas?
For most returning adults without dependent children, no. Texas has not expanded Medicaid and is one of approximately 10 remaining non-expansion states as of 2025. Eligibility is limited to children, pregnant women, parents with dependent children at very low income, disabled individuals, and the elderly. Most single adults and childless adults returning from Texas prisons are not eligible. For free health care, search findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov for community health centers. For county jail releases, ask for the Medicaid Information flyer provided at release.
Can I get SNAP benefits after prison in Texas?
Yes. Texas has no drug conviction SNAP ban. People with drug felony convictions are eligible for SNAP subject to standard income and eligibility requirements. Apply at yourtexasbenefits.com or call 2-1-1. Texas HB 1743 (2023) requires TDCJ and HHSC to establish a pre-release SNAP assessment process -- ask your case manager whether your eligibility has been assessed before release. Note that HHSC processing times have exceeded 60 days in some cases; apply as early as possible.
Can I vote after prison in Texas?
No, not immediately. In Texas, a felony conviction bars voting during incarceration AND while on parole or probation. Voting rights are restored only after your full sentence is completed, including all parole and probation. Once all supervision ends, register to vote at votetexas.gov. Contact Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (trla.org) or the Texas Center for Justice and Equity (texascje.org) if you have questions about your eligibility.
How do I get my birth certificate in Texas?
Phase I of TDCJ's reentry program should assist eligible individuals with obtaining a certified birth certificate at release -- confirm with your case manager whether this was completed. If you were born in Texas and your birth certificate was not obtained through Phase I, contact the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Unit at hhs.texas.gov/vital-statistics or call (512) 776-7111. The current fee is $22 per copy. If you were born in another state, contact that state's vital records office early -- out-of-state requests take time.
How do I replace my Social Security card in Texas?
Phase I of TDCJ's reentry program should assist eligible individuals with obtaining a replacement Social Security card at release -- confirm with your case manager whether this was completed. If not, 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. SSA reentry benefits information is at ssa.gov/reentry/benefits.htm.
What is TCOOMMI and how does it help at release?
TCOOMMI (Texas Correctional Office on Offenders with Medical or Mental Impairments) operates within TDCJ's Reentry and Integration Division and coordinates mental health and medical services for justice-involved individuals. Before release, TCOOMMI provides pre-release screenings and referrals to aftercare treatment services for individuals with medical or mental health needs. TCOOMMI contracts with Local Mental Health Authorities (LMHAs) to provide community-based continuity of care for justice-involved people on probation or parole. If you have mental health or medical needs, ask your case manager about TCOOMMI services and whether a pre-release referral to a community LMHA has been initiated.
What benefits can I apply for after release in Texas?
Texas Medicaid (yourtexasbenefits.com; 2-1-1) for those who qualify through specific categories -- not expanded for most adults. SNAP (food assistance) at yourtexasbenefits.com -- no drug conviction ban; pre-release assessment may be initiated through HB 1743 MOU. SSI or SSDI through SSA (1-800-772-1213) if you qualify through age or disability. Veterans' benefits through the TVC and VA if applicable. TDCJ Reentry Resource Guide (tdcj.texas.gov) for county-level resources. 211 Texas (dial 211 or tx.211.org) for county referrals.
What reentry resources does TDCJ provide?
TDCJ (tdcj.texas.gov) provides: Phase I ID documents (SSN, birth certificate, state ID) at release for eligible individuals; Phase II risk/needs assessment and individual case planning; Phase III post-release case management and employment; TCOOMMI for mental health and medical pre-release screenings and LMHA referrals; Reentry Resource Guide at each unit and online; 55 volunteer-run veterans programs on units statewide; Veterans Reentry Dorm (state jail). Texas State Law Library Reentry Guide (guides.sll.texas.gov/reentry-resources) provides updated resources. 211 Texas (tx.211.org, dial 211) provides county referrals. Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (trla.org) provides free legal help. ---