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The Social Security Administration (SSA) administers two federally-funded disability income benefit programs: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). There are important similarities and differences between these two programs.

How substance use is considered in the disability determination process has changed substantially over the years. This article dispels several widely-held myths about how DDS views substance use (such as you have to be clean and sober to get benefits), and its impact on the application process.

What do medical providers need to know about SOAR and the Medical Summary Report?

In the process of collecting medical evidence, the DDS examiner may decide that there is insufficient information to make a determination about disability. In this case, the DDS examiner can request an evaluation from an outside source called a Consultative Exam (CE).

SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) is a model that helps communities increase access to mainstream benefits for people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness through strategic planning, training, and technical assistance.

This issue brief, developed by the SAMHSA SOAR TA Center, explores ways that agencies can involve AmeriCorps members at low or no cost to help implement SOAR.

This issue brief, developed by the SAMHSA SOAR TA Center, provides strategies for forming partnerships, examples, and a sample agreement to help hospitals and community programs create collaborations that are mutually beneficial.

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.

The National Organization of Social Security Claims Representatives (NOSSCR) has compiled a list of the state statutes and regulations regarding the collection of fees for medical records.

The CE report should show not only the individual’s symptoms, laboratory findings (psychological test results), and diagnosis but also the effect of the mental disorder on the individual’s ability to function in personal, social, and occupational situations.