6.5 helping people access public benefits

HELPING PEOPLE ACCESS PUBLIC BENEFITS

SOAR: SSI/SSDI, OUTREACH, ACCESS AND RECOVERY

North Carolina Coalition to End Homelessness


securing resources encouraging public dialogue advocating for public policy change919.755.4393 www.ncceh.org

Denise Neunaber, Executive Director

What is SSI & SSDI?

SSI = Supplemental Security Income

Federal disability program, administered by SSA, that provides benefits to low income people who are disabled, blind, or elderly

SSDI = Social Security Disability Income

Federal disability program, administered by SSA, that provides benefits to blind or disabled individuals who are “insured” based on contributions paid into the Social Security trust fund, as authorized by the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA)


What is SOAR?


SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access and Recovery (SOAR) is a strategy that helps states to increase access to SSI/SSDI for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness through:

Strategic planning Training and Technical assistance

SSI/SSDI Approval Rates

About 35% SSI/SSDI applications are approved

SSI/SSDI applications for homeless individuals are significantly less– about 15% are approved

WITH SOAR: According to the most recent nationwide data

collected in 2009, the SOAR model resulted in an approval rate of 71% in an average of 89 days.

In North Carolina, 79% approval rate in an average of 4 months


Challenges for the Disabled and Homeless

Path to recovery is extraordinarily challenging when basic needs are unmet

SSI/SSDI application and disability determination process can seem complex

Disconnect between the experience of homelessness and the disability application process

Medical information is often very incomplete

Appeals take years and many potentially eligible people give up and do not appeal


How does SOAR address these challenges?

Case managers actively assist applicants

Step-by-step explanation of SSI/SSDI application and disability determination process

Focuses on the initial application – “Get it right the first time!”

Fills in the missing links for SSA/DDS by linking illness/diagnosis to functioning

Focuses on documenting the disability


Key Resources SOAR Provides to DDS

Medical Documents

Medical Summary Reports

Case Managers as trained 1696 Representatives


Functional Information

Impact of person’s illness and resulting impairment

Based on collection of personal, medical, and collateral information

Medical Summary Report clearly explains:

Nature of impairment How/if linked to illness Impact on functioning and life,

especially regarding ability to work


NCCEH’s Role with SOAR

Assist communities to strategically develop and support designated SOAR Case Manager positions

Provide trainings and technical assistance to SOAR Case Managers

Facilitate relationships between SOAR Case Managers, SSA, and DDS in order to improve the SOAR process


Implementing SOAR in NC


Case manager training & technical assistance

SOAR Essentials training SOAR Case Manager Certification SOAR Community Certification New SSA & DDS Process specific to SOAR

cases

How SOAR has benefitted NC


Dispelled Myths Educated case managers & medical community;

increased completeness of information Created partnerships with Social Security

Administration and Disability Determination Services Offices

Created a new process for Homeless SSI/SSDI applications

New dedicated positions that focus on assisting individuals homeless or at-risk of homelessness obtain benefits

SOAR assistance for your community


SOAR Technical Assistance Initiativewww.prainc.com/soar/[email protected]

www.ncceh.org/ncsoarDenise Neunaber [email protected]

6.5 helping people access public benefits

Education