SOAR

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The Housing Program employs numerous staff who are SSI Outreach Access and Recovery (SOAR) trained. This national program helps to increase access to SSI/SSDI (Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance) for eligible adultsIndividuals who are able to apply for benefits as an adult under SSA rules. This includes 17-year-olds who are within one month of their 18th birthday. Youth aging out of the foster care system may apply within 90 days of their 18th birthday. who are homeless or at risk of homelessnessSOAR uses the same definition of homelessness as the Federal Projects for Assistance in the Transition from Homelessness (PATH) program: persons who are "homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless" (Public Health Service Act, Part C, Section 522(a)(2)).  and have a mental illness and/or co-occurring substance use disorder. Eligible SOAR candidates must be a current participant in a TTI housing program.

SOAR is a national program funded by the (SAMHSA) designed to increase access to SSI/SSDI (Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance) for eligible adultsIndividuals who are able to apply for benefits as an adult under SSA rules. This includes 17-year-olds who are within one month of their 18th birthday. Youth aging out of the foster care system may apply within 90 days of their 18th birthday..

Statistics show that many adults who are homeless or at risk of homelessness encounter difficulty completing the SSI/SSDI application process. They often don’t have access to a phone or address, and may have trouble obtaining copies of records and identification. However, SAMHSA reported that under SOAR, disability determination approval rates rose from 37 percent to 60-95 percent on initial applications countrywide. This is due in part to the three-pronged approach of strategic planning, staff training and follow-up support provided by case managers and related TTI staff members.