Enhancing access to Social Security disability benefits as a key component in reducing homelessness among Veterans

SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR), is a federal program sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to increase access to disability benefits among people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness.  Approval rates for first-time applications for SSI/SSDI among adults who are homeless can be as low as 10%. All 50 states and the District of Columbia participate in SOAR, and since 2006, states report over 19,000 approvals on initial SSI/SSDI applications.  The allowance rate on these applications was 65% in an average of 100 days using the SOAR model.

Social Security disability benefits are critical sources of income for Veterans with disabling mental or physical health conditions who do not qualify for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits, or who are waiting on their VA disability determination. Best practices from SOAR programs find that collaborations between community programs and VA Medical Centers is key to quickly accessing disability benefits, housing, and healthcare for Veterans. This presentation will focus on best practices for utilizing SOAR with Veterans, and will highlight successful benefits acquisition collaborations with VA Medical Centers in Washington and Michigan. Participants will receive materials with guidance on implementing SOAR, collaborating with community partners and the VA, and examples of successful models.