What is SOAR?
- Social Security
- Outreach
- Access
- Recovery
It can be a challenge for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness to gain access to Supplemental Security Income/Social Security Disability Insurance (SSI/SSDI) benefits. For those individuals who also have serious mental illness, medical impairments, and/or a co-occurring substance use disorder, the challenge can be even greater.
The SOAR model is designed to assist children and adults in applying for Social Security disability benefits, including those returning to their communities from jails and hospitals. Youth aging out of the foster care system may apply 180 days before their foster care eligibility will end due to age.
Since 2005, the SOAR program has helped more than 45,137 people obtain SSI/SSDI benefits–often the critical first step in recovery. All 50 states and Washington D.C. participate in SOAR. The program brings case managers and other state and local stakeholders together to coordinate the implementation of state and local-level SOAR programs.
