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  • SSA Issues an Emergency Message for Evaluating COVID

    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.

    Type:
    Article
    Date:
    May, 2021
  • ALJ Video Hearings

    The Social Security Administration now offers a video option for Administrative Law Judge appeal hearings.

    Type:
    Article
    Date:
    Apr, 2021
  • Pay Equity for Social Workers

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

    Type:
    Article
    Date:
    Apr, 2021
  • Using ESG-CV Funds for Dedicated SOAR Case Workers

    The CARES Act included additional Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) funding for communities. There is an opportunity for ESG recipients and Continuums of Care (CoCs) to use some of this funding to support dedicated SOAR case workers.

    Type:
    Article
    Date:
    Dec, 2020
  • SOAR Collaboration with SSA’s Office of Hearings Operations (OHO)

    This article explains how you can promote SOAR with your Social Security Administration (SSA) Office of Hearings Operations (OHO) office to help ease their backlog and workload issues, while at the same time, improving access to expedited decisions for SOAR applicants.

    Type:
    Article
    Date:
    Sep, 2019
  • Sample SOAR Job Description

    Is your agency looking to hire a SOAR Benefits Specialist?  Take a look at this Sample Job Description!

    Type:
    Article
    Date:
    Jun, 2019
  • SOAR Critical Component: The Medical Summary Report

    The Medical Summary Report (MSR) is SOAR’s signature tool and key to a successful application. It provides a succinct, comprehensive summary of the applicant’s personal and treatment history and its impact on his or her life. It also clearly describes the factors affecting functioning and ability to work.

    Type:
    Article
    Date:
    Jan, 2019
  • SOAR and Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF)

    Accessing Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits is a critical step toward income stability for Veterans whose work activity is limited by disabling conditions or who have children with disabilities. SOAR directly contributes to SSVF’s goal of promoting housing stability among very low-income Veteran families by increasing access to critical income supports.

    Type:
    Article
    Date:
    Jan, 2019