WHAT IS SOAR?
SOAR (SSI/SSDI Outreach Access and Recovery) is a streamlined application process that helps to increase access to mainstream benefits (SSI/SSDI) for people who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness. It is a step by step process designed by stakeholders to expedite the SSI/SSDI application process and reduce the approval time.
The process is designed for case managers to act as a representative or point of contact for the applicant, while assisting them in the specially designed SOAR process. Overall SOAR helps States and Communities increase access to SSI/SSDI through collaboration and strategic planning and training.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR SOAR?
The SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access and Recovery (SOAR initiative is designed to serve 18 years or older who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and who have mental illness, co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders and/or other serious health conditions. SOAR uses the same definition of homelessness as the Federal PATH (Projects for Assistance in the Transition for Homelessness) program. This means a person is eligible if they are “homeless” (Public Health Services Act, Part C, Sections 522.