FAQ

If a person is guarded when you are interviewing them for the MSR, you can explain to them the importance of you gathering this information and providing it to Social Security as part of the SSI/SSDI application process. If they still don't want to provide you information then you can document in the MSR the person's guarded nature, their behavior and symptoms you observe, and document that you believe it to be due to the symptoms of their mental illness (paranoia, delusions, suspiciousness, etc.). You can try to obtain the information you need for the MSR from the person's medical records and if they are willing to sign ROIs, you can attempt to interview collateral sources such as family, friends, case managers, etc. to obtain information to include in the MSR. 

Please see our suggestions from the field on our COVID-19 resources page: /article/covid-19-resources-soar-providers

In Q58 on the SSA 8000, SSA is trying to determine whether a SNAP application is needed. If the family is receiving SNAP benefits you would mark YES here. That way, SSA will know that a new application does not need to be completed.

Since SSDI is an insurance program, unearned income and resources (such as Unemployment Insurance) do not impact SSDI eligibility. You may be eligible to receive both Unemployment Insurance and SSDI at the same time. Unemployment Insurance has no impact on the SSDI benefit amount or eligibility. 

The short answer is "No" for SSDI and "Yes" for SSI!

If the applicant has never worked, they will not be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). SSDI eligibility criteria require that you have worked long enough and recently enough to be insured for Social Security disability. However, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is based upon need, not insured status.

HIPAA requires medical providers to release the patient's records within 30 days after the request is received (https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/guidance/access/ind…). Some states have laws that require the release of medical records in fewer than 30 days.

If the person is already receiving Social Security retirement benefits they could be eligible for SSI benefits as well if their Social Security retirement benefit amount is lower than the SSI federal benefit rate (set annually by SSA). You won't need to use SOAR to help this person apply for SSI benefits because they will be applying for SSI aged benefits as opposed to SSI disability benefits. It's a much simpler and quicker process. You can simply help them call their local SSA field office to schedule an appointment to apply for SSI aged benefits.

In short, SSA does not look at the foster parents' income or resources. Once the child goes back home, (even if your agency maintains legal custody), SSA will look at the household income & resources of the parental household.

If an applicant's initial application has been denied, they have 60 days from the date on the denial letter to appeal the denial. If they want to submit a new initial application, they have to wait 60 days from the date on the denial letter before submitting a new initial application.

His current living arrangement is an institution. However, if by the time you submit the completed application to SSA he will have been released, you can indicate that he is homeless on the SSA-8000. You can always add additional information in the remarks section to explain that his living arrangement is changing.