Library & Tools

Connecting Veterans with Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits is a critical step to increasing income stability for Veterans and their families, as well as providing health insurance for those who may not qualify for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care.

This issue brief, developed by the SOAR TA Center, discusses the importance of connecting Veterans with SSA disability benefits how the SOAR model can help.

For applicants with mental disorders, DDS examiners look at a person’s ability to function in four primary areas. Your responsibility is to describe the functioning of the individual in as much detail as possible and to document how the person’s illness impairs his or her ability to function and maintain employment at a substantial gainful level.

One of the most important tasks for you to accomplish is to make the link between diagnosis and functional impairment so that DDS can fully understand the applicant’s disability. This article discusses how to ask questions that elicit the information you will use to write your Medical Summary Report (MSR).

While individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness are more visible in urban settings, homelessness is also prevalent in rural areas. The barriers to access Social Security disability benefits can be numerous, but SOAR can assist.

On this webinar, held on October 12, 2016, the SOAR TA Center and SOAR leaders discussed the challenges and successes implementing and sustaining SOAR in their rural areas.

This issue brief, developed by the SOAR TA Center, discusses how SOAR’s intensive engagement process and holistic approach to applying for SSI and SSDI can benefit the vulnerable and difficult-to-serve population of transition age youth.

This webinar, held on March 10, 2016, focused on assisting with SSI/SSDI applications for immigrants and non-citizens.

Transition age youth (TAY), (youth and young adults between the ages of 16 and 25), who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness and have serious mental illness and other medical impairments may find it difficult to maintain employment and may also struggle to access disability benefits. The Social Security Administration's (SSA) narrow definition of disability combined with a lack of support throughout the application process has created an environment rich with myths.

This webinar, held on November 12, 2015 educated SOAR practitioners about the presence of TBI among returning service members, as well as individuals who are experiencing or at-risk of homelessness.