NHCHC ACTION PLAN FOR “SOAR”
[SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery program]
Schedule visits to educate Members about the SOAR Initiative: Despite the hard work of Senators and Representatives during this period to pass a range of appropriations bills through Committee, it is widely expected that unresolved differences between Congress and the Administration may force the government to operate under continuing resolutions until the new Congress passes appropriations bills early next year. This political strategy reduces the opportunity to gain targeted funding for the SOAR Initiative this year; however, it does provide a unique opportunity to build support for the program and educate Members about the relationships among poverty, disability, and homelessness.
August 11 marks the beginning of Summer Recess for the 110th Congress, when Members return to their home districts and often reach out to constituents to identify issues important to them. This is an opportune time educate your Members about the barriers your clients face when trying to obtain disability benefits and the promise of the SOAR Initiative in overcoming those obstacles. Although the 110th Congress is unlikely to make changes in funding, it nonetheless is imperative to educate your Member(s) about SSI and SOAR now to establish a stronger knowledge-base and contacts for future advocacy in the next Congressional session.
SOAR into Action!
Invite your Member(s) of Congress to tour your clinic to facilitate a conversation about homelessness and the SOAR Initiative. Find out who represents you at www.house.gov or www.senate.gov or call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121. Call your Member at their local office and ask to speak to their scheduler or policy staffer. Explain the type of work you do and ask to schedule a meeting at your clinic.
When you speak with your elected official or their representatives about SOAR, be
sure to emphasize the talking points listed below:
Explain the obstacles that people experiencing homelessness face when trying to access SSI/SSDI benefits, such as lack of proper identification, not having a fixed address, incomplete medical records, transportation barriers that prevent individuals from keeping appointments, etc.
Since its implementation, over the past 5 years in 34 states the SOAR Initiative has dramatically improved access to SSA disability benefits for homeless applicants.
SSA data shows the average approval rate for initial applications from all applicants is only 37% and smaller studies indicate the approval rate for initial applications from homeless clients is only 10-15%.
Preliminary 2008 data from 18 participating states suggest that SOAR is a model worthy of replication. A total of 66% of initial applications submitted through the SOAR program were approved and approval times were reduced, on average, to 88 days
Background on SOAR legislation: SOAR-ing through the Barriers: Improving Access to SSI/SSDI Benefits People without a regular place to stay face substantial barriers to participation in federal disability assistance programs that could help to end their homelessness. Such obstacles, well
known to providers at HCH projects, include the lack of acceptable identification, the absence of a fixed address, and incomplete medical records. Over the past three years, a promising federal initiative under the acronym SOAR (the SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery program) has substantially improved access to disability benefits for people experiencing homelessness. The effectiveness of this national program warrants its continuation and expansion. The National Council encourages Mobilizer readers to support the SOAR initiative.
Federal Disability Assistance – Out of Reach -The Social Security Administration (SSA) oversees two entitlement programs designed to provide financial support to individuals with disabilities. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a needs-based program that provides a modest maximum income of $637 a month (in 2008) to individuals with disabilities who lack stable employment histories, while Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) is related to earnings history and the amount an individual has paid into the Social Security system. Most recipients of SSI or SSDI qualify for government health insurance under Medicaid and/or Medicare. In 39 states and the District of Columbia, recipients of SSI also meet eligibility criteria for Medicaid. Persons who qualify for SSI or SSDI are also more likely than others to obtain available subsidized housing, including supportive housing.
Unfortunately, accessing these entitlements is especially challenging for people experiencing
homelessness; final determination of eligibility often occurs years after the initial application.
According to the Social Security Advisory Board Annual Report 2006, only 37% of all SSI/SSDI
applications nationwide are initially approved. For homeless applicants, a mere 10-15% are
determined disabled upon the initial application.1 Strikingly, more than 60% of initial denials are
overturned following a substantial appeals process averaging two to three years. This lengthy
delay only further compromises the health and stability of applicants.
1 Dennis D, Perret Y, Seaman A, Wells S. (2006). Expediting Access to SSA Disability Benefits: Promising Practices for People Who Are Homeless. Delmar, NY: Policy Research Associates, Inc.
SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery - Recognizing the importance of financial assistance to the overall health and well being of people with disabilities, the federal government implemented the interagency SOAR program to reduce the delay between application and receipt of benefits for eligible homeless applicants. A partnership between the Departments of Health and Human Services and Housing and Urban Development, the SOAR initiative is a multifaceted approach to improve the quality of initial applications while streamlining the state and local processes through which disability is determined. Strategic components include a “train the trainer” model to equip service providers
with the tools necessary to complete effective and well-documented applications, strategic planning among states and communities to expedite the claims of homeless applicants, and technical assistance and outcomes evaluation for states and localities.
SOAR-ing Results - Following implementation in 34 states over the past three years, the SOAR initiative has dramatically improved access to SSA disability benefits for homeless applicants. Preliminary 2008 data from 18 participating states suggest that SOAR is a model worthy of replication. In a complete inversion of national data, a surprising 66% of applications submitted through the SOAR program were initially approved, and approval times were reduced, on average, to just 88 days. A SOAR pilot project in New York cut the average approval time to 59 days. In Nashville, Tennessee—home to the National Council—a remarkable 98% of all SSA disability applicants in their SOAR project were approved upon initial application.
Many involved in the SOAR process believe the results are simply too promising to be ignored. Advocates are urging Congress to appropriate $5 million to expand the program to all 50 states and to develop advanced training materials to help applicants and their service providers to more effectively navigate the SSI/SSDI application process. The National Council calls upon Congress to enable all states to “do what works” by funding an expansion of the SOAR initiative.
No comments:
Post a Comment