FAQ

We recommend that you submit an amended MSR along with the Reconsideration appeal forms. This will give you an opportunity to address any updates to the applicant’s condition(s) or treatment. It is advisable to include an addendum with updated dates and signatures.

The DDS examiner will review the updated MSR along with the Disability Report-Appeal (SSA-3441) that you will complete as part of the iAppeal packet. Remember the SSA-3441 allows you to provide  updated information for a complete appeal submission. SSA uses the SSA-3441 to update the disability information since the Disability Report (SSA-3368) was submitted at the initial level. You will have space to provide additional information about any changes in the applicant's conditions or limitations. Also, you can supply missing medical information and attach medical records or any additional evidence as part of the online iAppeal application, including an amended MSR.

Here is some more information about Survivor’s benefits: https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/survivors/ifyou.html

There is helpful information about who might be eligible to receive benefits.

They’ll need to call SSA to apply for survivor’s benefits, as it can’t be done online. We don’t have a guide, but it is straightforward (reporting the death to SSA via the funeral home is most common). SSA can look up whether the individual is eligible to receive benefits.

Employment while incarcerated (with no access to the community) will not appear in an individual's work history with SSA. These earnings are not taxed and will not be counted as earned income when applying for SSI/SSDI. We encourage you to include these jobs as "specialized job training" on question #5c on the SSA-3368/Adult Disability Report.

Employment while participating in a work release program in the community (while still under the supervision of a department of corrections) will be considered part of one's work history. Taxes are paid on this income and it is considered as earned income.

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.

The SOAR process can definitely be used to assist applicants with a pending initial or reconsideration level SSI/SSDI claim. To confirm the correct claim level, you will submit the SSA-3288: Consent for Release of Information to the SSA field office.

SOAR practitioners are often well positioned to assist given their relationships with applicants and knowledge of their impairments and related functional limitations. SOAR case managers can help by submitting the SSA-1696: Appointment of Representative form to the SSA field office, gathering additional medical records, noting previously unreported medical conditions, writing a Medical Summary Report, and assisting with SSA forms specific to the initial and appeal process.

However, if you learn that the applicant is at the ALJ level of appeal, you will need to discuss with the applicant whether they wish to continue to appeal at the hearing level or withdraw their current application to submit a new initial application using the SOAR model with your representation.

You can learn more about this by reviewing the article, "Prior or Pending Applications."

For applicants that have received SSI prior to incarceration, a new application must be submitted if the applicant was incarcerated for more than 12 months.

Absolutely!

SOAR case workers can submit the SSA-1696: Appointment of Representative form to the SSA field office, and then begin communicating with SSA/DDS about the status of the application and any additional information needed. They can gather medical records, write a Medical Summary Report, and assist with SSA forms

You can learn more about this by reviewing the article, "Prior or Pending Applications."

BIA GA is a federally funded program administered through a local agency or tribe that provides needs-based cash assistance. This income is counted on a dollar-for-dollar basis when calculating the SSI benefit amount.

Yes, you will need to submit the completed SSA-1696: Appointment of Representative form to the local SSA field office. I recommend faxing it and then calling within 1-2 days to confirm that it was received and added to your client's record/claim.

Ask the SSA field office if they completed both an SSDI and SSI application during the phone interview and if they need anything else for the claim to be complete. You can also ask whether they would like you to submit the medical records and MSR directly to them or to wait until the claim gets moved over to DDS for medical review.

I recommend staying in close contact with SSA to find out who the DDS analyst is, especially if you or your client don't receive any mail from DDS within a few weeks.

When SSI recipients are incarcerated for a full calendar month, (e.g., March 1-March 31), their benefits are suspended. If they are released in less than 12 consecutive calendar months, their benefits can be reinstated upon release. They need to bring official release papers from the institution to the local Social Security office. SSA will review their new living arrangement and reinstate payment. If SSI recipients are incarcerated for 12 consecutive calendar months or more, their SSI benefits are terminated and they must reapply.