News
SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access and Recovery (SOAR) helps states and communities increase access to Social Security disability benefits for people who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness. Funded by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the SOAR Technical Assistance (TA) Center develops and provides training and technical assistance to support the implementation of the SOAR approach.
The SAMHSA SOAR TA Center recently announced the release of outcomes from SSI/SSDI applications submitted using the SOAR approach from 2006 through June 30, 2014. Since SOAR began, more than 26,269 people who were homeless or at risk have accessed SSI/SSDI benefits using the SOAR approach. The national approval rate on SOAR applications is 65% and the average time to decision is 94 days. Eighteen states report that they sustained current or secured new funding for their SOAR programs, resulting in the creation of SOAR dedicated positions.
