Library & Tools

Here are some frequently asked questions regarding SSI/SSDI benefits for individuals in legal settings.

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.

Here are examples of completed SSA and SOAR Forms using information from a fictitious SSI child applicant.

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. 

If Social Security denied your application for disability benefits, you may request an appeal. Social Security has four appeal levels. This article discusses the Reconsideration and Hearing by Administrative Law Judge levels.

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.

Here is guidance on assisting beneficiaries with completing the SSA-455: Disability Update Report.

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.

Here are SOAR Tools and Resources to help American Indian and Alaska Native communities establish and grow their SOAR initiatives.

Here are step-by-step instructions for completing the SSA e-1696: Appointment of Representative.