FAQ

We recommend against using the SSA-8001 form for a SOAR application because it contains less comprehensive information about an applicant’s income and resources. As such, the applicant would still need to complete an in-person or phone interview with SSA in order to complete the SSA-8000. By completing the SSA-8000 and turning it in to SSA, you can often avoid the need for this interview.

If you find that your local SSA office is not accepting the SSA-8000 from in lieu of an interview, I encourage you to reach out to your SOAR TA Center Liaison and SOAR State Lead so that they can provide local assistance.

Once you have set the Protective Filing Date (PFD), you have 60 days to submit the complete application & MSR.  Read Steps in the SSA Disability Application Process.

It depends! In many DDS offices the consultative exam (CE) examiners are allowed 30 days to file their report/evaluation after the exam.  They may or may not be turned in on time. Once the DDS examiner gets the report it may take some time to finish their recommendation and transfer it to the physician at DDS who will review the case. This can sometimes happen very quickly or, when there are backlogs, it may take a few days, weeks or longer.  We would recommend that the case manager call the DDS examiner to see whether the CE report has been submitted and whether they can provide any other needed information.  

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.

Absolutely!  Initiating the Online Disability Benefit Application sets the protective filing date for SSI as well as SSDI. Even without work credits, there are other ways an applicant may qualify for SSDI so we recommend applying for both programs. Further, completing the online application is an efficient way to submit medical and work information that is necessary to apply for SSI.

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.

A general privacy release can be used to communicate about the applicant to friends/relatives/other service providers, etc. This can be the SOAR sample (even if it is not for medical records) or a more generic one. Here is another example from CSH.  Most agencies have a privacy release that they use at intake or for these purposes. 

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.

No, the claimant does not need to present when you turn in the signed SSA-1696. We do recommend submitting an original copy with a "wet-signature." Be sure to keep a copy for your records.

Yes! We actually suggest that you submit both the SSA-3368: Adult Disability Report and the SSA 16: Application for SSDI online as part of a complete SOAR-assisted SSI/SSDI application packet. You can use the paper forms as worksheets and then transfer to the Online Disability Benefit Application and Adult Disability Report