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Find answers to frequently asked questions.

Question:
Can beneficiaries get an expedited or advanced payments from SSA?

SSA can start payments more quickly than usual in four different types of situations:

  • Presumptive Disability (PD) or presumptive blindness (PB) payment: Based on the severity of the condition and the likelihood that the claim will be approved, SSA may make payments for up to 6 months while DDS makes a final decision. This is not based on financial need.
  • Emergency advance payment: A one-time advance payment to new claimants who "face a financial emergency and who are due SSI benefits that are delayed or not received"
  • Immediate payment: An immediate payment to new claimants and SSI recipients whose benefits are delayed or not received and who face a financial emergency."
  • Expedited reinstatement cases: If benefits are terminated because of excess earned income or a combination of earned and unearned income, claimants can request to have benefits started again without having to complete a new application.

We recommend visiting SSA's website to find out more: Understanding SSI - Expedited Payments (ssa.gov)

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Question:
If someone has social security retirement can they apply for disability.

Yes, someone receiving retirement can apply for SSDI benefits if they elected to take early retirement and are receiving a reduced amount. If they retired at full retirement age then their SSDI benefit would be the same and there is no need to apply. 

They would need to prove that they are medically disabled and unable to work at SGA. (Some people who take early retirement benefits are ready to stop working but don’t meet the definition of disability). 

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Question:
In the SOAR Online Course, there is information requested on the forms that is not provided in the progress notes or medical records. Should I make something up?

There is no need to make up any details about your fictional applicant. All of the information you need to complete the Practice Case application packet is provided to you. Take care to review all materials available on the Practice Case pages at the end of Classes 1-4. This includes applicant interviews, medical records, and progress notes.

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Question:
How do I print my SOAR certificate?

When you log-in to the SOAR website, go to your Profile page.  There, you will see a link to access the Certificate of Completion that was e-mailed to you when you passed the course.

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Question:
How long is the certification from the SOAR online courses good for? is there an expiration date?

From the perspective of the SAMHSA SOAR TA center, there is no expiration date. Since you have passed the SOAR Online Course and received a Certificate of Completion, you are “SOAR-trained.” While we do not require additional training or re-certification, we do recommend visiting our website frequently and attending our webinars/SOARing Over Lunch calls, etc., to stay up-to-date on SSA policy changes and learn about new or updated SOAR resources.

With that being said, there may be training/certification requirements in your state or community.  We recommend reaching out to your State Team Lead or your SAMHSA SOAR TA Center Liaison. They will be able to provide additional assistance and connect you with leads in your area. You can find their contact information on your your state's SOAR page.

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Question:
Once I have passed the SOAR Online Course am I required to attend any other trainings in order to keep my certification?

The SOAR TA Center does not require any further training but we always recommend that SOAR-trained practitioners stay up-to-date by re-visiting the website, reading our e-newsletters, attending our webinars, etc.

While we consider those who pass the SOAR Online Course to be "SOAR-trained," it is not a formal "SOAR Certification" so to speak.  However, many states implement their own SOAR Certification procedures so it is important to know about your state's SOAR Process. Please visit your state's page for more information.

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Question:
After registering for the online course, at what point has it been too long to send in the MSR?

It's never been too long! You are welcome to submit your documents for the SOAR Online Course practice case at any time and the system will never time you out.

If you have specific questions about your practice case, email them to soaronline@prainc.com.

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Question:
How long does it take to find out if you passed the course?

All complete packets submitted to SOAR TA Center will be reviewed within 10 business days. If your application packet is complete and without major errors or omissions, you will receive a Certificate of Completion. If there are significant errors/omissions, you will be invited to revise your packet and resubmit it for a second review. Once we receive your updated documents, you will hear from us within 7 business days. If the errors/omissions have been corrected, you will receive a Certificate of Completion.

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Question:
How long should one class last?

We estimate that the full SOAR Online Course takes approximately 16-20 hours to complete, including time spent working on the practice case study. The length of each class varies, as some classes contain more articles than others. Also, we designed the course so that trainees can work through it at their own pace. As a result, the time spent in each class varies from person to person.

If you are finding that the classes are taking a significant amount of time and you have questions about the material, I encourage you to reach out to your SOAR TA Center Liaison.

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Question:
Can I get an Online Course certificate of completion even though I'm not licensed as a Social Worker or MFTI, etc.? I work for a non profit.

Yes, as long as you successfully complete the practice case component of the SOAR Online Course, you will receive a certificate of completion. It comes with 20 CEUs from the National Association of Social Workers for those who are licensed, but the course is open and available for those who are not licensed.

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