Library & Tools

Individuals living in Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) are eligible for SOAR services. Housing status (i.e. living arrangement) and receipt of vouchers or other in-kind support can impact eligibility and benefit amounts for SSI and SSDI. Understanding the impact of living arrangements, vouchers, income from work, and rent obligations can help individuals maintain their benefits and housing.

Words are powerful, and the words we choose impact understanding, interpretation, and ultimately, the outcomes of disability applications. By carefully choosing our words, we convey respect for the applicant’s experience and their intrinsic value as people first.

On this webinar, held on August 15, 2024, the SAMHSA SOAR TA Center shared tips for writing effective MSRs.

This webinar, held on April 17, 2024, explored the intersection of SOAR and Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) programs.

SOAR (SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery) case workers assist eligible individuals who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness and have a serious mental illness, medical impairment, and/or a co-occurring substance use disorder to apply for Social Security Disability benefits. Due to the unique nature of the position, the following are helpful suggestions and reminders when supervising SOAR case workers.

Staff turnover while there are pending disability applications can confuse and concern the applicant, the Social Security Administration (SSA), and Disability Determination Services (DDS). This checklist helps agencies effectively transfer applications to a new SOAR case worker, resulting in a frustration-free experience for all.

This webinar, held on August 23, 2023, addressed the concept of “materiality” and how to demonstrate to DDS that past or ongoing substance use is not material to a finding of disability

This guide helps new SOAR Case Workers get acquainted with their role.

Here is some guidance from the SAMHSA SOAR TA Center and the Social Security Administration for gathering information about and documenting Long COVID for SSI/SSDI applications.

This webinar, held on March 8, 2023, spotlighted successful collaborations between SOAR practitioners and medical providers.