FAQ

SNAP benefits are accounted for in question #58 on the SSA-8000 and, therefore, would not count as in-kind/cash support for Questions #37a-b.

SSA does not allow an applicant to have multiple applications pending at the same time.  If the applicant chooses to have a new initial SOAR-assisted application for SSDI benefits submitted, then the applicant would need to withdraw their current application.  It is important that the applicant understands that the new application would create a new application date which may result in the loss of retroactive 'back' benefits based on withdrawing the current pending application.

No, military deployments do not count as residency abroad.

Yes, there are a number of unearned income (e.g. income derived from a source other than working) exclusions in the SSI program. There is a comprehensive list here, with links to more information about each source: https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0500830099.

VA Disability payments are not excluded when looking at countable income for the SSI program, and you’ll see that they aren’t included in this table. These benefits are counted dollar for dollar, after a general exclusion of $20. For Veterans who receive a VA Disability Pension and are applying for SSI, their income will almost certainly be too high from the Pension payment to qualify for SSI. That said, they paid into SSDI through their military service and may qualify for SSDI, so that is worth exploring (for that, check with SSA to see if the Veteran has enough work quarters to potentially qualify for SSDI).

Child support payments are in this exclusions table (though the regulations can be a bit hard to sift through) – basically, SSA will exclude one-third of support payments made on behalf of a child when determining countable income. I find this link easier to read when discussing child support and main exclusions: https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/cfr20/416/416-1124.htm. 

Absolutely!  SOAR is designed to assist individuals who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness and have a serious mental illness, medical impairment, and/or a co-occurring substance use disorder. 

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. 

All of the SOAR Critical Components and techniques learned in the SOAR Online Course can be used for any SSI/SSDI application. However, in order to indicate to SSA/DDS that it is a "SOAR" claim, the applicant must be experiencing or at risk of homelessness, as defined here.

Further, you want to be sure that you are following any additional steps as required by your State or community’s established SOAR process.

"Questions for Direct Examination at SSA Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Hearing," along with other helpful resources, can be accessed on the webinar "Hearing Tips for SOAR Practitioners."

When reporting data in our SOAR national outcomes, we calculate days to decision from the time the application is turned in to SSA until DDS makes a decision on the application.  The receipt from the Online Disability Benefit Application will show the date the application was received by SSA and the date on the notification letter from SSA can be used as the date of decision.

Yes! SSA will explore eligibility for SSDI for any adult applying for SSI benefits. The application is quick, easy and online. You will complete the SSDI application (called the Online Disability Benefit Application) when you are online completing the Online Adult Disability Report. It comes first in the process and is your way to help set the protective filing date for SSI. The applicant may get a denial letter for SSDI pretty quickly in the process. Do not despair, DDS will still be processing the medical decision and the SSI application will still be pending, despite that denial letter for SSDI.