Library & Tools

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).

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.

The Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP) is an exciting funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for communities to design and implement a plan to prevent and end youth homelessness.

Children who have HIV/AIDS often have multiple disabling conditions, such as serious mental illnesses, cognitive disorders, and other chronic physical health conditions. SSA disability benefits provide income and health insurance, making it possible for many to gain access to housing, treatment and other supports.

When youth who have been receiving SSI benefits as children reach age 18, they must be reevaluated to determine whether they meet SSA’s medical and nonmedical eligibility criteria for adults. This process – referred to as “redetermination” – is essential for youth who will continue to need SSI support into adulthood.

On this webinar, held on February 21, 2019, the SAMHSA SOAR TA Center shared new tools and resources for completing Child SSI applications, including the new SOAR Online Course: Child Curriculum. As well, SOAR Leaders discussed their strategies and plans for implementing SOAR for Children initiatives in their communities.

Here are some frequently asked questions about obtaining SSI benefits for children in foster care.

On this webinar, held on February 3, 2021, we discussed engagement and collaboration strategies for submitting complete SSI applications for children.

Kristin Lupfer, Project Director of the SAMHSA SOAR TA Center, facilitated a workshop at the National Federation of Families' 2021 Virtual Conference titled, "Reducing Homelessness for Families, Children, and Youth with Disabilities Using the SOAR Model."