Library & Tools

Including SOAR in local CoC planning and projects is a viable strategy for connecting individuals to long-term stable income and improving CoC system performance. CoCs nationwide have included SOAR in their local homeless response systems.

The Social Security Administration's (SSA) Online Services can be used by representatives (such as SOAR providers) to efficiently communicate with, acquire information from, and send information to SSA. This guide describes who is eligible, how to obtain access, and the key uses for each online service. If you have questions, please contact your SOAR TA Center Liaison.

Read our Q&A with a SOAR case worker from New York who has an appeals success story!

Connecting Veterans with Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits is a critical step to increasing income stability for Veterans and their families, particularly for those Veterans whose work activity is limited by disabling conditions. The SOAR model helps individuals obtain SSA disability benefits while they are pursuing their vocational and housing goals through the GPD Program. 

The Social Security Administration now offers a video option for Administrative Law Judge appeal hearings.

The CARES Act included additional Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) funding for communities. There is an opportunity for ESG recipients and Continuums of Care (CoCs) to use some of this funding to support dedicated SOAR case workers.

This article explains how you can promote SOAR with your Social Security Administration (SSA) Office of Hearings Operations (OHO) office to help ease their backlog and workload issues, while at the same time, improving access to expedited decisions for SOAR applicants.

SOAR programs can be funded through a variety of sources, including foundations, private donors, and businesses operating in your communities. 

SOAR programs across the nation are looking for attention-getting ways to communicate with government officials, community providers, potential volunteers, and funders about the work SOAR is doing to help people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness access Social Security benefits. Most of these stakeholders will look online to find information about your program.

We’ve gathered examples of well-written, successful Medical Summary Reports (MSRs) from SOAR providers across the country for the SOAR community to use as extra guidance.