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SOAR

SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery

About the Model | SOAR Critical Components and The Standard SOAR Process | CCMTP SOAR Deliverables | Need Assistance? | Other Forms and Resources

SOAR is a program funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) designed to increase access to disability income benefit programs administered by the Social Security Administration for individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness who have a serious mental illness, medical impairment, and/or a co-occurring substance use disorder. Please visit the Policy Research Associates SOAR Microsite for additional information.

About the Model

Video: SAMHSA SOAR Overview

 

SOAR is a collaborative process that guides case workers to collect and submit relevant information for the Social Security Administration (SSA) and Disability Determination Services (DDS).  The Social Security Administration (SSA) has two disability income benefit programs that can provide assistance, SSI and SSDI.

SSI/SSDI

  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI): Needs-based program for adults or children who are blind, disabled, or elderly, with low income/resources
  • Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): Program for blind or disabled adults who are insured through employee and employer contributions to the Social Security Trust Fund

Barriers to Access

  • Many people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness also have disabling mental illnesses, co-occurring substance use, trauma, and/or other medical issues. Accessing the income and health care benefits that SSI/SSDI provides can be a critical first step on the road to recovery. However, their circumstances can impede access to these benefits.
    • SSA communicates mainly by mail, which is a challenge when one does not have a permanent, reliable address.
    • People who are experiencing homelessness often have sporadic medical care, making it difficult to access medical records to document disability.
    • Symptoms can interfere with cognitive functioning, making it difficult to navigate a complex system.

SOAR Critical Components and The Standard SOAR Process

In the SOAR model, the case worker gathers all materials and communicates with SSA and DDS. Using the SOAR Critical Components listed below, case workers play a central role in gathering complete, targeted, and relevant information for SSA and DDS, resulting in high-quality SSI/SSDI applications.

SOAR Critical Components

The SOAR case worker Serves as the Applicant’s Representative

The SOAR case worker Collects and Submits Medical Records

The SOAR case worker Writes and Submits a Medical Summary Report (MSR)

The SOAR case worker Obtains a Co-Signature on the MSR by an Acceptable Medical Source

The SOAR case worker Completes a Quality Review of Applications Prior to Submission

Steps in the Standard SOAR Process.

Step One: Receive Referral

SOAR workers will review any documentation available on potential applicants, including medical records. They will use this documentation, along with SSA’s Listing of Impairments, to help determine whether the applicant is potentially eligible. This list contains medical criteria that apply to the evaluation of impairments in adults age 18 and over.

Tools and resources related to SOAR step one: 

Step Two: Complete SOAR Intake

SOAR workers will make a connection with the applicant. Always offer respect, choice, and control – people who are experiencing homelessness are often not offered these. Have the applicant sign agency releases for all collateral sources, (i.e., family members, employers, etc.). Complete and have the applicant sign the SSA-1696: Appointment of Representative.

Tools and resources related to SOAR step two: 

Step Three: Request Records from Treatment Sources

SOAR workers request treatment records from two years prior to the onset of disability (date the applicant last earned Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)) and any older records that may have information supporting the onset of the applicant’s symptoms.

Tools and resources related to SOAR step three: 

Step Four: Establish Protective Filing Date

SOAR workers will establish a Proective Filing Date (PFD) by initiating the Online Disability Benefits Application on the SSA’s Website. You will have 60 days from the date the PFD is set to submit the application.

Tools and resources related to SOAR step four: 

Step Five: Continue to Gather Supporting Documentation

During this stage, collect any additional information needed to complete the application. This may include non-medical information.

Tools and resources related to SOAR step five: 

Step 6: Complete forms and documents for the online application and paper packet

Complete relevant SSA SSI and SSDI forms. Sign forms in blue ink to distinguish them as originals. Keep a copy of each signed form in the applicant’s file. Here is a link to a SAMHSA Forms Guide. Additional forms are listed under the Other Forms and Resources section of this page. SSA forms should be accessed directly from the SSA website as they may change over time.

Tools and resources related to SOAR step six: 

Step 7: Complete the Medical Summary Report (MSR)

The MSR is a core component of the SOAR process. It is a letter written by the case manager and submitted as part of the SOAR application packet. You are encouraged to use the SOAR Medical Summary Report template linked below.

The MSR template is organized into eight sections: Introduction, Personal History,  Occupational History, Substance Use, Physical Health, Psychiatric History and Treatment, Functional Information, and Summary. Your goal is to help the DDS examiner to “see” the person. The challenge is to transform information you’ve collected into a vivid picture of the person and his/her functional abilities

At the end of the MSR, write a brief summary of the evidence presented and sign the report. If possible, have the MSR co-signed by a medical provider who has seen the applicant and reviewed the report. A co-signature by an Acceptable Medical Source (AMS) raises the MSR from “collateral information” to “medical evidence.” SSA considers certain clinicians to be AMS including Physicians, psychologists, advanced practice nurse practitioners (APRN), or physician assistants (PA). Audiologists are also acceptable medical sources for hearing-related disorders.

Tools and resources related to SOAR step seven:

Step eight: Complete and submit the online disability benefits application

Complete the Online Disability Benefits Application within 60 days of setting the PFD. Remember, a quality review of the application to ensure it is complete and accurate is a critical component of the SOAR model.

Use the information collected on the paper SSA-16 and SSA-3368 to complete the online application. The applicant MUST be with you to electronically sign the application.

Tools and resources related to SOAR step eight:

Step nine: Submit the paper application packet

Submit the complete paper packet to SSA no more than two days after submitting the Online Disability Benefits Application.

SSI/SSDI Application Appeals

If Social Security denies an application for disability benefits, the applicant may request an appeal. SAMHSA has developed toolkit for case workers for submitting appeals using the SOAR model. Additional tools to support SOAR works navigating the appeals process are linked below:

CCMTP SOAR Deliverables

Implementing SOAR Services in the CCMTP

The CCMTP policy addressing required deliverables is Policy P6.03 Serving Members with No Income. This policy is accessible via the WebApp. Once a CCMTP Class Member is identified as having no income, the Prime Agency must explore available options for income applicable for the Class Member. This may include full or part time employment, Family support, Veteran’s benefits Retirement benefits, Pension, or Social Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Income (SSDI). The Prime Agency must identify SOAR staff that will engage Class Members without income and/or SOAR services when this is the most appropriate potential source of income for Class Members. Prime Agencies will complete and submit a monthly dashboard tracking all the Class Members they are serving who do not yet have income.

Tools and resources related to CCMTP SOAR deliverables:

Need Assistance?

Social Security Administration

Legal Aid

  • Contact a Legal Aid provider in your area.
    • The American Bar Association can help you locate the bar association for lawyers in your state using their Bar Directories and Lawyer Finder
    • National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (NOSSCR): NOSSCR Provides referrals to attorneys and non-attorney representatives in your local area. Lawyer Referral Service Phone: 800-431-2804. Email: nosscr@nosscr.org
    • National Association of Disability Representatives (NADR): NADR provides referrals to attorneys and non-attorney representatives in your local area, which you can access on their Find A Representative webpage. Phone: 1-800-747-6131
    • State or Local Legal Aid: Legal Services Corporation (LSC) provides information about LSC-funded state or local legal aid agencies, which you can access on their Find Legal Aid webpage. Phone: 1-202-295-1500. Law Help helps people find free legal aid programs in their communities
    • Law School Legal Clinics: There are Law Schools in your community, search to see if they offer legal clinics with supervised law students.

Other Forms and Resources

Employment

Other

SSA Forms