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Find answers to frequently asked questions.

Question:
I am having a hard time finding my Appointed Representative ID to complete the SSA-1696

Most SOAR specialists will not have a Rep ID because we do not charge applicants a fee for SOAR assistance, so that section can be left blank.

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Question:
I am looking for a contact at my local SSA office, who should I call?

You can contact your SOAR State Team Lead or Local Lead to find out if there is a designated SOAR liaison at your local SSA office.

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Question:
I am taking my client to SSA office to turn in SOAR packet. He does not have any form of identification, recently lost his wallet, will that be an issue?

Unfortunately, yes, it is likely to be an issue if the applicant comes with you to the SSA office. SSA is getting more stringent in needing identification in order to combat benefits fraud.

I encourage you to perhaps find a workaround to doing the in-person interview while you are working on getting a replacement ID for the applicant. In many areas, SOAR caseworkers are able to drop off a completed SSA-8000 and/or arrange for a  phone interview.

If that's not possible, reach out to the SSA Homeless Coordinator/SOAR Point of Contact at SSA prior to the appointment about the lack of ID, so that it doesn't become an issue when you are there with the applicant. 

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Question:
I am working with a man who remembers where he was born, but not his birth date. He knows a name for his mother, but does not know if it is her first or last name. How can I prove his identity?

My first recommendation would be to go with your client to the local SSA field office with whatever information you have been able to verify and that he is able to report. SSA can sometimes find someone's Social Security number with their name, DOB and parent's information. It often depends on how unique their name is and how easily they can narrow it down. SSA has a special provision to establish a new SSN for folks who are unable to identify themselves by reason of homelessness, amnesia or mental impairment.

The explanation in the SSA Program Operations Manual is at the following link: https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0110210120!opendocument

You will want to talk to the local SSA office about taking the steps to go through this process if necessary.

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Question:
I am working with a person who has already applied for SSI and been denied. His request for reconsideration has also been denied. What can I do now to help? Is there anything I can do to speed up the process?

You can help the applicant file for a hearing before an administrative law judge. It is in the applicant's best interest to keep the appeals process going because if they are approved at the hearing level they will be eligible for back payments going back to the protective filing date of the initial application.

See our Appeals resources in the SOAR Library. Here you will find our Prior or Pending Applications document which outlines some of what you need to do at the hearing level. You'll want the applicant to sign the SSA-1696: Appointment of Representative form, if you haven’t already. Then, request their file from Social Security. Together, you'll need to complete the HA-501: Request for a Hearing and the SSA-3441: Disability Report- Appeal (available on SSA’s website). You'll also need to turn in a new SSA-827:Authorization to Release Information. Be sure to submit the Request for a Hearing within 65 days from the date of the denial letter. If you haven't already, request medical records, do the general and functional assessments, and write a Medical Summary Report (MSR) just as you would for an initial SOAR application.

The other thing we would recommend is to file for a review on record. This might help you to avoid a hearing and eliminate a long wait. People who are eligible for a review on record are those individuals who may have additional diagnoses/medical records that were not considered previously. This does not take them out of the line for a hearing. So, if they are denied at review on record, they are still eligible for a hearing.

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Question:
I cannot find the template or blank file for MSR. Should I just create a word document following the rubric?

The Medical Summary Report (MSR) Interview Guide and Template is a great tool for writing the MSR. The Interview Guide portion contains key questions to ask applicants when gathering evidence for the application. The Template contains main headings that may be used when formatting the MSR. Be sure to remove the Interview Guide and guidance under the Template headings before turning the MSR in to DDS. It is also important to put the MSR on your agency's letterhead whenever possible.

This guide and template can be found on the SOAR Tools and Worksheets page.

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Question:
I have a client that has already applied for SSI, SSDI, and supplied his medical records to the SSA. Am I still able to help him with a MSR?

We recommend contacting the DDS examiner assigned to the case to find out where they are in the decision making process. If they have just been assigned the case and are starting to process it, then you have time to write and submit a Medical Summary Report. You could let the DDS examiner know that you have additional evidence to submit. If you do not have an SSA-1696 on file, the claimant will need to be with you when you call. 

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Question:
I have a client that recently applied for SSI with assistance from a non-SOAR case manager. Am I able to take over this application by submitting a new release form?

Yes, you are absolutely able to work on an application that is in progress!

You will submit the SSA-1696 form to SSA to become the applicant’s representative and determine where the application is in the evaluation process. You can then work quickly to submit any necessary SOAR Critical Components to strengthen the application (e.g., medical records, Medical Summary Report).

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Question:
I have a client who is interested in appling for SSDI.She is married and her husband makes over $40,000.Would she still qualify?

Yes, if she meets the medical criteria for disability and has sufficient work credits to be insured through SSDI, should could be eligible for these benefits. While SSI takes spousal resources into account in eligibility criteria, SSDI does not. She should be able to check her history of work credits by signing up for a “My Social Security” account, here: https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/.   

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Question:
I have an applicant who has worked at several places but does not remember for when or how long. Is there a way I can look up this specific information?

There is a form called the SSA-7050 which you can submit to Social Security for your client to get an itemized statement of their past earnings and employer information; however, it costs $92 to get this record. Here is a link to the SSA-7050: https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ssa-7050.pdf

Generally, we recommend asking the person to name the information about their past jobs within the past 15 years (position, place worked, dates worked, etc.) to the best of their recollection. Then, in the Remarks section of the Adult Disability Report (SSA-3368), you can explain that the work information was provided to the best of the applicant's recollection and may not be completely accurate.

There is a form called the SSA-7050 which you can submit to Social Security for your client to get an itemized statement of their past earnings and employer information; however, it costs $92 to get this record. Here is a link to the SSA-7050: https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ssa-7050.pdf

Generally, we recommend asking the person to name the information about their past jobs within the past 15 years (position, place worked, dates worked, etc.) to the best of their recollection. Then in the Remarks section of the Adult Disability Report (SSA-3368 form) you can explain that the work information was provided to the best of the applicant's recollection and may not be completely accurate.

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