Library & Tools

Find up-to-date information on the rates that SSA sets annually.

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.

The Program Operations Manual System (POMS) is a resource used by Social Security employees to process claims for Social Security benefits. It provides detailed instructions and guidance on various aspects of benefit administration. Here we review POMS DI 25020.010-Mental Limitations.

An SSA ruling clarifies existing regulations which require that claimants and/or their authorized attorney or non-attorney representatives inform SSA about, or submit all evidence known to them that relates to their disability claim. This article will discuss the purpose of the ruling, outline key requirements, and present a few scenarios which a SOAR practitioner may encounter.

SSDI is an insurance program. Therefore, no information about living arrangement or resources is required. Instead, the SSDI application will ask questions about past earnings and entitlement to other benefits. People over 18 years of age who have worked and contributed to the Social Security Trust or others who became disabled before the age of 22 whose parent is deceased or receiving retirement or disability benefits may be eligible.

The SSA-3368: Adult Disability Report helps DDS to obtain a complete picture of the applicant’s medical history and treatment. Complete information is essential. Be sure to include all information available to you.

The Work History Report (SSA-3369) helps Disability Determination Services (DDS) to obtain detailed vocational information about the jobs the applicant held in the 15 years prior to becoming unable to work due to his or her illnesses, injuries, or conditions.

The SSA-8000 is the form used by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to gather all the non-medical information for the SSI application.

The SSA-8001 is an abbreviated version of the SSA-8000: Application for Supplemental Security Income. While we discourage the use of the SSA-8001 in the SOAR model, this article contains helpful guidance for how to complete this form.

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.