Library & Tools

We encourage individuals to work and seek employment while applying for SSI/SSDI benefits. SOAR providers play a critical role in helping bust myths about working during the application process.

Understanding the Social Security Administration’s evaluation criteria for SSI/SSDI applications involving co-occurring disorders is critical to providing effective representation.

Case managers are encouraged to support individuals to pursue their vocational goals, both before and after applying for SSI/SSDI. This overview will briefly discuss how the Social Security Administration (SSA) views the work activity of an SSI/SSDI applicant, and the many work incentives available to beneficiaries.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) may ask the applicant to complete an SSA-821 Work Activity Report if he/she continued to work after the alleged date of onset. This article provides additional information and tips for assisting applicants with this form. 

A key component of the SOAR model is developing strong collaborations with the Social Security Administration (SSA) and Disability Determination Services (DDS). The SOAR TA Center has created a guide to help!

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.

This webinar, held on June 13, 2024, focused on competitive employment opportunities for SSI/SSDI applicants and beneficiaries.

Providing accurate work history information is absolutely vital to include in all SOAR applications. SSA uses this information to determine if the applicant is able to return to past work, or perform other work in the national economy. This webinar, the first in our "Completing Quality SOAR Applications" series, was held on April 25, 2018, and addressed strategies for obtaining accurate work history information. 

This webinar, held on December 12, 2018, explored how opioid or other substance use disorders impact SOAR-assisted SSI/SSDI applicants.

On this webinar, held on October 29, 2020, we discussed SSA Work Incentives and other employment resources, busted some myths surrounding working while applying for and receiving benefits, and presented an updated issue brief from the SAMHSA SOAR TA Center.