west central wisconsin community action

West Central Wisconsin Community Action

Agency, Inc.

M

I

S

S

I

O

N

To take action against poverty by

developing the social and economic

assets of low-income families and their

communities and by working to create a

more just and sustainable society.

Serving 7 Wisconsin Counties

Barron

Chippewa

Dunn

Pepin

Pierce

Polk

St. Croix

What We Do

Weatherization

Energy Assistance for St. Croix & Pepin Counties

Jump Start Car Program

Adult Literacy & Education Assistance

Food Access & Resources Boyceville Food Pantry

Dunn County Farmers Market

Senior Farmers Market Vouchers

Low Income Apartment Rentals

Mortgage Assistance First Time Homebuyer

Foreclosure Intervention

Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Dunn, Pierce, & St. Croix Counties

Homeless Assistance Programs

Outreach & Intake Assessment Point-In-Time counts of people experiencing homelessness

Coordinated Entry System that streamlines the process for accessing services at all homeless assistance agencies

Rapid Re-Housing Rental assistance combined with supportive services aimed to help individuals & families obtain &

maintain permanent housing with limited stays in homelessness.

Tenant-Based Rental Assistance Rental assistance combined with supportive services aimed to help individuals with a disability &

families with a disabled member obtain & maintain permanent housing.

Supportive services are provided by a partner agency.

Transitional Housing 24 month housing program with supportive services that provides an opportunity for clients to

gain the stability needed to maintain permanent housing

Prioritizes individuals & families with significant barriers to obtaining &/or maintaining housing

Permanent Supportive Housing On-going housing assistance & supportive services in scattered site apartments.

Participants are individuals and families experiencing chronic homelessness.

June 2015 – West CAP received SOAR grant Performance Period: June 1st, 2015 – September 30th, 2016

SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) is a national project funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) that is designed to increase access to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) for eligible adults who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness and have a mental illness, medical condition, and/or a co-occurring substance use disorder.

SSI and SSDI

SSI SSDI

Program Supplemental Security

Income

Social Security Disability

Insurance

Program Type Need Entitlement

Federal Income Benefit $733/month Dependent on earnings

paid into SSA system

Associated Insurance

Benefit

Medicaid Medicare after 2 years

While eligibility requirements are different for each

program, the disability determination process for

both programs is the same; one may apply for both

programs simultaneously.

Why is Access to SSI and SSDI Important

for Homeless Recipients?

Disability benefits can provide access to:

Income

Health Insurance

Housing

Stability

Why Is Access to SSI and SSDI Important

for Your Community?

Uninsured people experiencing homelessness with chronic illnesses are frequent users of expensive uncompensated health care.

Providers can recoup the cost of uncompensated health expenses from Medicaid for up to 3 months prior to date of SSI application.

SSI, SSDI and Medicaid bring federal dollars into states, cities, and community programs.

Cost-benefit studies have proven that communities can save money when individuals are housed and can access less costly services.

Income being spent within the community.

Barriers to Accessing SSI/SSDI

The application process is complex and can be difficult to navigate. Especially for people who are homeless, have a mental illness, and/or

substance use disorders

Only about 10-15% of those who apply are typically approved on initial application Initial applications are often denied because they lack vital medical and

functioning information

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

Medical records for transient persons are often hard to track down or are insufficient for documenting disability. Adequate assessment and documentation is needed explaining how one’s disabling conditions limits one’s ability to work

Breaking Down Barriers to Accessing

SSI/SSDI

Providers who assist SSI/SSDI applicants need

staff who understand the disability determination

process and who have time to assist in all aspects

of developing the application

Relationships with the Social Security

Administration (SSA), the state Disability

Determination Bureau (DDB), community medical

providers and other key players are essential to

changing the outcomes of SSI/SSDI applications

What We Know Is Possible…

Approval rates of 68%

on initial application for

homeless applicants and

begin to receive benefits

within 60-90 days of

application

How is the SOAR Process Different?

SOAR Coordinator…

Acts as representative for claim

Completes assessments with applicants

Collects all medical records

Writes Medical Summary Report

Completes all applications

Who Qualifies for SOAR Program?

Individuals Experiencing Homelessness Can be imminently homeless (homeless within two weeks)

Must have Physical or Mental Health Disability

Reside in Chippewa, Dunn, Barron, Polk, Pierce, Pepin, St. Croix Counties

What can you do?

Refer!!!

Partner with us to provide supports to

SOAR clients (shelter, food, clothing,

transportation, etc…)

Spread the word!

Referral Process

Call West CAP intake line: 1-800-606-9227

All referrals must go through West CAP intake

Specifically state you are calling for SOAR

program

So You Refer…What Next?

Initial application for SOAR program is

sent to individual and should be mailed

to SOAR Coordinator

SOAR Timeline Receive Application

Make contact with applicant, briefly explain program, schedule appointment

Initial Assessment Determine eligibility, explain SOAR process and SSA process

If approved – schedule first visit

1st Home/Office Visit Fill out West CAP application, sign ROIs and other paperwork

Sign form 1696 – Appointment of Representative

Start assessments – identify medical providers

Fax form 1696 and request for previous claims (if applicable) to Lisa Olson at SSA (sets protective filing date)

Continue assessments and collecting medical records

Write Medical Summary Report (MSR) Complete Form 8000

Home/Office Visit Complete Online Forms 3368, 16, and 827

Mail or make appointment with Lisa Olson to submit Form 8000, MSR, and collected medical records.

Contacts

Kristina BechtelSOAR Coordinator

Ph: 715-410-4267

Email: kbechtel@wcap.org

Corin TubridyHomeless Prevention Programs Manager

Ph: 715-235-4511 ext. 205

Email: ctubridy@wcap.org

Questions????