FAQ

Unfortunately, yes, it is likely to be an issue if the applicant comes with you to the SSA office. SSA is getting more stringent in needing identification in order to combat benefits fraud.

I encourage you to perhaps find a workaround to doing the in-person interview while you are working on getting a replacement ID for the applicant. In many areas, SOAR caseworkers are able to drop off a completed SSA-8000 and/or arrange for a  phone interview.

If that's not possible, reach out to the SSA Homeless Coordinator/SOAR Point of Contact at SSA prior to the appointment about the lack of ID, so that it doesn't become an issue when you are there with the applicant. 

All of the SOAR Critical Components and techniques learned in the SOAR Online Course can be used for any SSI/SSDI application. However, in order to indicate to SSA/DDS that it is a "SOAR" claim, the applicant must be experiencing or at risk of homelessness, as defined here.

Further, you want to be sure that you are following any additional steps as required by your State or community’s established SOAR process.

"Questions for Direct Examination at SSA Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Hearing," along with other helpful resources, can be accessed on the webinar "Hearing Tips for SOAR Practitioners."

SSA recommends that the applicant ask their SSA field office to make a special note of this for DDS and, once the application has gone to DDS, to touch base with the disability examiner to remind them. As the SOAR case manager, you can indicate that a name change is in process in the ‘Remarks Section’ of all SSA forms, as well as in the Medical Summary Report. You could also include the name change document with the completed SOAR application. By keeping up good communication with DDS, the Examiner will be aware that the applicant’s name, gender, DOB, and SSN may not match all medical documentation. SSA also suggested informing the applicant's medical sources to ensure they are aware for medical records purposes. 

Here are some helpful links regarding name/gender changes:

• Application for a Social Security Card
• RM 10212.015 Evidence Requirements to Process a Name Change on the SSN
• RM 10212.200 Changing Numident Data for Reasons other than Name Change

When reporting data in our SOAR national outcomes, we calculate days to decision from the time the application is turned in to SSA until DDS makes a decision on the application.  The receipt from the Online Disability Benefit Application will show the date the application was received by SSA and the date on the notification letter from SSA can be used as the date of decision.

Yes! SSA will explore eligibility for SSDI for any adult applying for SSI benefits. The application is quick, easy and online. You will complete the SSDI application (called the Online Disability Benefit Application) when you are online completing the Online Adult Disability Report. It comes first in the process and is your way to help set the protective filing date for SSI. The applicant may get a denial letter for SSDI pretty quickly in the process. Do not despair, DDS will still be processing the medical decision and the SSI application will still be pending, despite that denial letter for SSDI.

Generally speaking, medical providers are not legally bound to provide records to a third party. They are not required to provide records to DDS, either. However, HIPAA regulations require healthcare providers to provide individuals copies of their own records: 

"The Privacy Rule generally requires HIPAA covered entities (health plans and most health care providers) to provide individuals, upon request, with access to the protected health information (PHI) about them in one or more “designated record sets” maintained by or for the covered entity.”

We hear from most SOAR providers that they are able to get medical records from most sources. Some states have special laws that cover access to records for disability applications. We also do our best to build relationships with commonly used providers and the medical records departments to try to improve those relationships, and clarify and expedite processes.

Absolutely, Veterans who receive VA disability benefits may also receive SSA benefits, depending on the amount received from the VA and if they are approved for SSI or SSDI. 

SSI: VA benefits will affect the SSI benefit amount. SSA classifies VA benefits as “unearned income,” since it does not come from paid employment. As such, it will be deducted dollar for dollar from the SSI federal payment amount, after the general exclusion of $20. (All SSI recipients are eligible for this exclusion, where the first $20 of earned or unearned income is not counted against their SSI payment.)

SSDI: Alternatively, SSDI benefits are not affected by unearned income through VA benefits.

Please read more at SSA and VA Disability Benefits: Tips for Veterans.

The SOAR TA Center does not require any further training but we always recommend that SOAR-trained practitioners stay up-to-date by re-visiting the website, reading our e-newsletters, attending our webinars, etc.

While we consider those who pass the SOAR Online Course to be "SOAR-trained," it is not a formal "SOAR Certification" so to speak.  However, many states implement their own SOAR Certification procedures so it is important to know about your state's SOAR Process. Please visit your state's page for more information.

In recent years, DDS has developed the ability to quickly access VA medical records electronically, which should be triggered when you fill out the electronic application (specifically the SSA-3368 Adult Disability Report) and document that the applicant received treatment from the Veterans Health Administration. An electronically signed SSA-827 will also need to be in the file. When SSA transfers the case to DDS and it is noted that the applicant received VHA care, the system automatically sends an electronic request for records to VHA. The full process they use is here, and it's pretty interesting: https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0422505022.

For SSA, the only required release of information is the SSA-827. However, the VA may also require that the Veteran sign a form 10-5345 Request for and Authorization to Release Medical Records and Health Information.