SOAR Initiative

On Monday and Tuesday, January 22-23, Durham County was the first of the three Triangle Counties to complete SOAR Training. SOAR stands for SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery and it is a program sponsored by the US Department of Health and Human Services Administration.

Data suggests that:

• 39% of people who are homeless are estimated to be eligible for disability benefits due to mental illness.
• 46% of people who are homeless are estimated to be eligible for disability benefits due to physical health conditions.
• Only about 10-15% of people who are homeless are receiving benefits.
• Only 37% of all people who apply for SSI are approved upon initial application and it is believed that for those with out a home or how have mental illness it is lower.

The SOAR Technical Assistance Initiative builds on the work started in Maryland where the number of those recommended for disability has resulted in a 95% approval rate the first time out. The training completed by Durham service providers on Monday and Tuesday demystifies the SSI/SSDI system and encourages front line case workers to take a lead in helping clients through the system. The model encourages human service providers to focus on the initial application and complete documentation in such a way that you eliminate the need for consultative exams. Clinical staff develop medical summary reports that are co-signed by psychiatrists or physicians.