Library & Tools

In this two-part webinar series, held on October 18 and 25, 2017, presenters shared their knowledge of opioid use disorders, opioid misuse and marijuana use among individuals experiencing homelessness.

Understanding SSA's disability criteria helps the SOAR case manager assess the documentation necessary to support the claim of disability.

This graphic provides an overview of how SSA and DDS process disability applications.

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!

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

This webinar, held on January 22, 2020, explored Step 3 and Step 5 of SSA's Sequential Evaluation process -- the only two steps at which an applicant can be found disabled.

On this webinar, held on May 25, 2021, the SAMHSA SOAR TA Center addressed barriers to equity in SOAR implementation and presented strategies to overcome them.

As we all do our best to address the barriers associated with racism and inequity, we must accept the discomfort that comes with the effort to learn about ourselves, learn about each other, and grow to create a psychologically safe environment in which staff can work and thrive. Here are some suggestions for improving staff engagement by integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) into our SOAR work.

When employers recognize the value of SOAR case workers and coordinators by offering them equitable salaries, the benefits go beyond the individual case worker.

SSA is now evaluating the long-term effects of COVID-19 when determining disability. On April 16, 2021, SSA issued an Emergency Message (EM) with guidance to its employees for evaluating adult disability cases that include an allegation or diagnosis of COVID-19. Here are the key points of the EM as well as tips for SOAR practitioners to effectively represent SSI/SSDI applicants whose functioning is impacted by COVID-19.