Library & Tools

This issue brief, developed by the SAMHSA SOAR TA Center, describes: the misconceptions about employment and loss of disability benefits; how earned income from employment affects SSI/SSDI benefits and Medicare/Medicaid coverage; the employment resources and work incentives offered by SSA to current SSI/SSDI beneficiaries; and the role SOAR programs can play in connecting individuals to employment resources.

This webinar, held on July 22, 2015, by the SAMHSA SOAR TA Center featured researchers and trainers from the Dartmouth Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Supported Employment Center.

SOAR TA Center Director, Kristin Lupfer, was featured on this webinar presented by HUD's Office of Special Needs Assistance (SNAPs) and Office of HIV/AIDS Housing (OHH).

Both SSA disability programs have health insurance programs associated with them. For SSI it is Medicaid; for SSDI it is Medicare which begins two years after the date of eligibility. Establishing eligibility for SSI or SSDI can be key to connecting with Medicaid or Medicare health insurance. 

Recipients of SSDI are eligible for Medicare two years after their SSDI eligibility began. This article provides an overview of programs that can assist individuals with the expenses associated with Medicare, such as premiums, deductibles, and co-pays.

Many employment services are federal programs that are available in most cities and some rural areas. Other services are only available locally. The following is a general set of guidelines to learn about available employment services in your area. Employment services are often designated for specific eligibility groups. Follow up with local contacts to confirm what services they provide and who is eligible.

Because SOAR is built on collaborations as well as training, the first step in starting a SOAR program is to bring key stakeholders together to agree upon and establish a SOAR Process and create a SOAR action plan. The SAMHSA SOAR TA Center can assist you every step of the way.

In this webinar, held on November 30, 2016, the SAMHSA SOAR TA Center, the Social Security Administration (SSA) and SOAR leaders discussed working while applying for and receiving SSA benefits.

The SOAR Employment Conversation Guide is an excellent tool that can help caseworkers begin those tough, but important conversations about work.

This page contains documents and information related to the CABHI: SOAR and IPS Learning Community and Pilot, which was held from 2016-2017.