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Understanding New SSA Policies and Online Services: What SOAR Providers Need to Know in 2025

This webinar, to be held on March 6, 2025, will review recent SSA policy updates that are important for SOAR case workers to understand.

Date and Time:

- - EST

Register for the Webinar

Description:

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has recently updated many of its policies and enhanced its online services. SOAR-trained providers must stay informed about these updates, especially those that impact providing quality and effective SSI/SSDI representation for individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

Join us for an informative webinar where we will discuss some of those key policy and online services updates which affect the SOAR community. You’ll hear from panelists from the SAMHSA SOAR TA Center and SSA. A SOAR provider will also share their knowledge about these changes and strategies for collaborating with your local SSA Field Offices to help applicants access SSI/SSDI benefits.

What you will learn:

  • Information about SSA policies and online services, including but not limited to:

    • New online services and in-person appointment requirements

    • Representative registration requirement (SSA-1699)

    • Updates to SSI regulations, including the exclusion of food value from SSI benefit calculations

    • Expansion of the rental subsidy exception as a nationwide policy

    • Changes to the definition of past relevant work

    • Changes to SSA's overpayment policies

  • Applying SSA’s updated policies and services into practice with the Standard SOAR Process.

  • Accessing valuable SSA and SOAR resources to support your SOAR Work! 

Presenters:

  • Kristin Lupfer, Director, SAMHSA SOAR TA Center, Policy Research Associates, Troy, New York
  • Jarita Walker, Public Affairs Specialist, Social Security Administration (SSA), Jersey City, New Jersey
  • Zuzanna Gos-Henderson, SOAR Case Worker, Shelter of Flint, Flint, Michigan