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Find answers to frequently asked questions.

Question:
Can SSA flag a case as a SOAR case?

Some states will have SSA flag the case as "Homeless" and then put "SOAR" in the remarks section. This is not fool-proof because DDS has to open the case and look for the SOAR "remark" in order to assign it to the appropriate unit. They may not always look for it when assigning cases.

What they are talking about doing in one state is to use a "special handling" flag with SOAR in the remarks. Anytime a case goes to their DDS with the special handling flag the case control has to open it and see what needs to be done- if it is marked SOAR- they know where to send it.

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Question:
Do I need to submit a SSA-3369 Work History Report with an initial application?

The SSA-3369 Work History report is only necessary if/when DDS reaches step 4 of the Sequential Evaluation.  In this case, DDS will contact you to request it.

You can read more about the SSA-3369 here.

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Question:
What if a client has diagnoses of both personality disorder and depression? Do they apply under both categories?

Absolutely - when applying for SSI/SSDI you should include all physical and mental health conditions/diagnoses. A person can be approved based on impairments from one or a combination of illnesses.

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Question:
If someone asks for a copy of their Medical Summary Report, do you give them a copy ?

The short answer is "yes." If someone asks to see their Medical Summary Report, you can provide it to them in the same manner that your agency would release a copy of their medical records to them.

However, there are some other factors to keep in mind.  Since the MSR focuses on an applicant's symptoms and functional limitations rather than their strengths, we recommend talking with them first to explain that the report is written in this manner to demonstrate how they may be eligible for SSI/SSDI and that SSA needs to see numerous examples of their limitations. Remind them that they have a lot of personal strengths and that this report is not a full reflection of that.

It is important to speak with the applicant throughout the process in order to alleviate any concerns about what information will be included in the MSR. One best practice to establish transparency and trust is to ask permission on the first interview to take notes. Tell the applicant that at any time they can ask you to stop taking notes or to see what you are writing.  Emphasize that your goal is to capture their words so that they can tell their story to SSA through this process.  Ultimately, the MSR is comprised mainly of their quotes and information they have provided to you.

Reading about one's symptoms and limitations can be very difficult and through this conversation applicants may find that they aren't prepared for that or that it would not be beneficial for their recovery. But, if after this preparation, the applicant wants to read the MSR, then that is their right to do so, following your agency's guidelines.

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Question:
How can I get our local hospital involved in our SOAR effort?
Question:
Can we get funding from the SOAR TA Center to pay for SOAR in our organization?

The SOAR TA Center does not have funds available to pay for SOAR in local organizations and there is no dedicated source of funding for SOAR programs. And yet, all 50 states participate in SOAR at some level by reallocating existing resources; by securing funding through federal and state grants or foundation funding; or by establishing collaborations with hospitals and criminal justice systems.

To support local organizations, the SOAR TA Center developed resources and tools for funding and sustainability, based on best practices from SOAR programs around the country. The SOAR TA Center also maintains a webpage dedicated to upcoming funding opportunities, which is updated frequently with new resources.

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Question:
Do SOAR providers screen applicants before helping them with their applications?

First and foremost we want to make sure that people who need our assistance with their SSI/SSDI applications get that assistance. That said, each provider has to make decisions about how many people they are able to serve and how many SOAR applications they complete. We recommend that when providers are not able to do a complete SOAR application with someone that they refer the individual to SSA and give them the tools to apply on their own or with another advocate.

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Question:
I'm working with a youth in foster care who is receiving SSI and will soon be turning 18. When can he apply for SSI as an adult?

In general, a child/youth can apply for adult benefits the month before they turn 18.

However, there is an exception for disabled youth transitioning out of foster care. Disabled youth receiving Title IV-E federal foster care benefits usually cannot become eligible for SSI until foster care payments have stopped. Even if the individual had been receiving SSI as a child, a new determination must be made under the adult rules once that person is 18. To help with this transition, SSA will accept an SSI application from a youth up to 180 days before his or her foster care eligibility will end due to age. You can start collecting all of the youth's medical records and preparing the application materials. Then you would have the completed SOAR packet ready to go as soon as they are able to submit the application.

For more details, see https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0500601011!opendocument.

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Question:
When the MSR is signed by an Acceptable Medical Source (AMS) is there any HIPAA concern if the MSR contains information from other treating providers?

An MSR that has been written based on properly released records can be shared with the primary AMS.  At the point of obtaining the signature, it is primarily a privacy issue, not HIPAA. However, it would be a best practice to have a release signed by the applicant permitting the case worker to communicate with the AMS.

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Question:
Can an Acceptable Medical Source (AMS) sign the Medical Summary Report if the client's main disabilities are mental but the AMS has mainly treated them for physical conditions?

Yes. By signing the MSR, the AMS is only indicating that they believe the included information to be true. It is likely that the provider has spoken with the individual about his/her mental illness, seen some records to that effect, and/or has witnessed some symptoms. In order to treat a patient properly for physical health conditions, the provider would need to be aware of medications and mental health treatment.  If the doctor does not want to sign off on anything that does not pertain to their specific field of practice, they could sign a reduced MSR that does not include reference to the other treating sources, but does include reference to all of the conditions that the doctor feels comfortable attesting to. 

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