West Virginia expanded Medicaid in 2020 and has approved a Medicaid reentry 1115 demonstration waiver (effective January 1, 2025) to provide pre-release Medicaid services to eligible incarcerated individuals in the 90 days before release. West Virginia also has a comprehensive 1115 SUD waiver ("Evolving West Virginia Medicaid's Behavioral Health Continuum of Care") effective January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2029, which includes Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) as a mandatory benefit -- the strongest MAT coverage in the state Medicaid system.
West Virginia has a modified SNAP drug felony ban: most people with felony drug convictions are eligible for SNAP, unless the conviction involved misuse of SNAP benefits, loss of life, or causing physical injury (W. Va. Code §9-2-3a, 2025).
Voting rights in West Virginia are suspended not only during incarceration but also during any period of probation or parole for a felony conviction.
Here is how the system works and what you need to do.
What WV DOC Provides at Release
The West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation (WV DOC, wvdoc.wv.gov) provides reentry programming and transition services. Ask your WV DOC case manager or counselor directly about ID document assistance before release. Confirm whether the facility provides assistance with state ID, driver's license, Social Security card, or birth certificate processing before release.
West Virginia offers WV PATH (People's Access To Help) as the unified online application portal for Medicaid, SNAP, and other benefit programs (wvpath.wv.gov). Incarcerated individuals can initiate applications through WV PATH before release with staff assistance.
Getting Your West Virginia State ID or Driver's License
West Virginia state IDs and driver's licenses are issued by the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV, dmv.wv.gov).
If your ID was not processed before release, visit any West Virginia DMV location. You will need documents establishing your identity, Social Security number, and West Virginia residency. Standard documents include a birth certificate or passport, your Social Security card, and proof of a West Virginia address. Your WV DOC release documentation serves as a supporting identity document.
Getting Your Social Security Card
If your Social Security card was not obtained 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 allowing the card replacement and benefit application process to begin up to 90 days before release.
Getting Your Birth Certificate
If you were born in West Virginia, request a certified copy from the West Virginia Department of Health Vital Registration at dhhr.wv.gov or by calling (304) 558-2931. The fee is currently $12 per copy.
If you were born in another state, contact that state's vital records office. Start this process early -- out-of-state requests can take time and delay your ID process.
Medicaid in West Virginia
West Virginia expanded Medicaid effective April 2020. West Virginia Medicaid is administered by the Bureau for Medical Services (BMS, bms.wv.gov). Low-income adults who meet income requirements are generally eligible.
Apply for Medicaid through WV PATH at wvpath.wv.gov or call 1-877-716-1212. You can apply before release with the assistance of WV DOC staff.
West Virginia 1115 Reentry Waiver: West Virginia received CMS approval as part of its comprehensive 1115 behavioral health demonstration ("Evolving West Virginia Medicaid's Behavioral Health Continuum of Care," effective January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2029) for a reentry component providing pre-release Medicaid services to eligible incarcerated adults 18 and older who are Medicaid-eligible and have an expected release date within 90 days. This waiver also requires that individuals not already enrolled in Medicaid receive assistance with completing and submitting an application sufficiently prior to their anticipated release date. Confirm the current operational status of the pre-release program at your specific facility with your WV DOC case manager or at bms.wv.gov.
West Virginia SUD 1115 Waiver and MAT: West Virginia's 1115 waiver (effective January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2029) covers a comprehensive behavioral health continuum including Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) as a mandatory benefit (effective October 1, 2020). This means that after release, West Virginia Medicaid covers methadone, buprenorphine, and other MAT medications as standard covered benefits -- not subject to prior authorization barriers that exist in some other states.
SNAP: Food Assistance
West Virginia has a modified SNAP drug felony ban (W. Va. Code §9-2-3a, 2025). Most people with felony drug convictions are eligible for SNAP in West Virginia. Eligibility is denied only if the conviction has as an element thereof:
Misuse of SNAP benefits.
Loss of life.
Causing physical injury.
Standard drug possession, drug delivery, and most drug-related felonies do not involve loss of life or physical injury and are eligible for SNAP. If you have questions about whether your specific conviction bars SNAP eligibility, contact WV PATH (1-877-716-1212) or Mountain State Justice (mountainstatejustice.org).
Apply for SNAP through WV PATH at wvpath.wv.gov or call 1-877-716-1212.
Note: Beginning January 1, 2026, West Virginia launched a SNAP Healthy Choices demonstration waiver (USDA-approved) under which SNAP benefits may no longer be used to purchase soda. This change applies to all WV SNAP households through December 31, 2027. It does not affect the amount of SNAP benefits or other eligibility criteria.
Voting Rights in West Virginia
A felony conviction in West Virginia results in loss of the right to vote. Voting rights are suspended during incarceration AND during any period of probation or parole. Under West Virginia law, a person incarcerated or on probation or parole for a felony conviction cannot vote.
Voting rights are restored automatically upon completion of the full sentence including all probation and parole supervision. Once all supervision ends, you may register to vote at sos.wv.gov. Contact Mountain State Justice (mountainstatejustice.org) or the West Virginia Secretary of State (sos.wv.gov) if you have questions about your specific eligibility.
WV DOC and West Virginia Reentry Resources
WV DOC (wvdoc.wv.gov): Reentry programming; transition services; case managers assist with benefits applications including Medicaid and SNAP through WV PATH.
WV PATH (wvpath.wv.gov; 1-877-716-1212): Unified online application for Medicaid, SNAP, CHIP, and other benefits. Can be initiated before release.
West Virginia BMS / Medicaid (bms.wv.gov): Medicaid eligibility and enrollment; 1115 reentry waiver (pre-release services 90 days before release); MAT as mandatory benefit under SUD waiver.
WV Bureau for Family Assistance / SNAP (bfa.wv.gov; 1-877-716-1212): SNAP applications; modified drug felony ban (most drug felonies eligible).
West Virginia DMV (dmv.wv.gov): State ID and driver's license.
West Virginia Department of Health Vital Registration (dhhr.wv.gov; 304-558-2931): Birth certificates; $12 per copy.
Mountain State Justice (mountainstatejustice.org): Free civil legal assistance for eligible low-income West Virginians, including reentry, benefit access, housing, and voting rights.
West Virginia Secretary of State (sos.wv.gov): Voter registration; voting rights information.
211 West Virginia (wv211.org; dial 211): Statewide referrals to housing, food, health, employment, and social services.
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 WV DOC help with ID documents before release?
WV DOC provides reentry programming and transition services including benefits application assistance through WV PATH. For state ID, driver's license, Social Security card, and birth certificate assistance, ask your WV DOC case manager or counselor directly about what document processing is initiated before release and confirm the status of each document. WV PATH (wvpath.wv.gov) can be used to initiate Medicaid and SNAP applications before release with staff assistance.
Can I get Medicaid after prison in West Virginia?
Yes. West Virginia expanded Medicaid effective April 2020 and low-income adults are generally eligible. Apply through WV PATH at wvpath.wv.gov or call 1-877-716-1212. West Virginia's 1115 behavioral health waiver (effective January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2029) includes a reentry component providing pre-release Medicaid services up to 90 days before release at participating facilities, and requires Medicaid enrollment assistance for eligible individuals before release. Confirm with your case manager whether pre-release services have been initiated. After release, MAT (methadone, buprenorphine, other medications) is a mandatory covered benefit under West Virginia Medicaid.
What is West Virginia's Medicaid reentry waiver?
West Virginia's 1115 reentry demonstration is part of the comprehensive "Evolving West Virginia Medicaid's Behavioral Health Continuum of Care" waiver, effective January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2029, approved by CMS. It provides pre-release Medicaid services to eligible adults 18 and older who are Medicaid-eligible and have an expected release date within 90 days. The waiver also requires that incarcerated individuals who are not already enrolled in Medicaid receive application assistance sufficiently before release. Confirm the current operational status and whether your facility is participating at bms.wv.gov or with your WV DOC case manager.
Can I get SNAP after a drug conviction in West Virginia?
Probably yes. West Virginia has a modified SNAP drug felony ban under W. Va. Code §9-2-3a (2025). You are ineligible for SNAP only if your drug felony conviction involved misuse of SNAP benefits, loss of life, or causing physical injury. Standard drug possession, drug delivery, and most other drug-related felonies do not involve these elements and are SNAP-eligible. If you are unsure whether your conviction bars SNAP eligibility, contact WV PATH (1-877-716-1212) or Mountain State Justice (mountainstatejustice.org). Apply at wvpath.wv.gov.
Can I vote after prison in West Virginia?
Not immediately upon release. West Virginia suspends voting rights during incarceration AND during any period of probation or parole for a felony conviction. Voting rights are restored automatically only after you complete your full sentence including all probation and parole supervision. Once all supervision ends, register to vote at sos.wv.gov. Contact Mountain State Justice (mountainstatejustice.org) or the WV Secretary of State (sos.wv.gov) if you have questions about your specific eligibility.
How do I get my birth certificate in West Virginia?
If you were born in West Virginia, request a certified copy from the West Virginia Department of Health Vital Registration at dhhr.wv.gov or call (304) 558-2931. The current fee is $12 per copy. Ask your WV DOC case manager whether the facility can assist with this before release. 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 WV?
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 this to begin up to 90 days before release. SSA reentry benefits information is at ssa.gov/reentry/benefits.htm.
What is WV's SNAP Healthy Choices waiver?
Beginning January 1, 2026, West Virginia launched a USDA-approved SNAP Healthy Choices demonstration waiver under which SNAP benefits may no longer be used to purchase soda (defined as any carbonated, non-alcoholic beverage with a sweetening agent and carbonation). This waiver runs through December 31, 2027 with an extension option. It applies to all WV SNAP households statewide. The waiver does not affect benefit amounts or any other SNAP eligibility criteria -- it only restricts what SNAP can be used to purchase.
What benefits can I apply for after release in WV?
West Virginia Medicaid through wvpath.wv.gov (1-877-716-1212) -- expanded since April 2020; pre-release enrollment assistance through WV DOC and the 1115 reentry waiver. MAT is a mandatory covered benefit after release. SNAP at wvpath.wv.gov (1-877-716-1212) -- most drug felony convictions are eligible; confirm your specific situation. SSI or SSDI through SSA (1-800-772-1213) if you qualify through age or disability. Veterans' benefits through the VA if applicable. 211 West Virginia (dial 211 or wv211.org) for county referrals.
What reentry resources does WV DOC provide?
WV DOC (wvdoc.wv.gov) provides reentry programming, transition services, and case manager assistance with benefits enrollment through WV PATH. West Virginia's 1115 reentry waiver (bms.wv.gov) provides pre-release Medicaid services up to 90 days before release at participating facilities. WV PATH (wvpath.wv.gov, 1-877-716-1212) is the unified benefits application portal for Medicaid and SNAP. Mountain State Justice (mountainstatejustice.org) provides free legal help. 211 WV (wv211.org, dial 211) provides county referrals. ---