The SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery program (SOAR) helps people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to access SSA disability benefits.

 

SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) is funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and is a national program designed to increase access to the disability income benefit programs administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) for eligible adults and children who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness and have a serious mental illness, medical impairment, and/or a co-occurring substance use disorder. 

 

The goals of the SOAR program speak directly to one of SAMHSA’s Strategic Initiatives - Recovery Supports.

 

SOAR seeks to end homelessness through increased access to SSI/SSDI income supports, directly addressing SAMHSA’s assertion: “To recover, people need a safe stable place to live.” This is essential, and for many persons in recovery accessing benefits is a first step.  But SOAR extends beyond and also encourages employment as a means to increase individual income and promote recovery in line with the SAMHSA assertion that: “to recover, people need meaningful work and the ability to enhance their skills through education.”

 

 

For Justice Involved Individuals

 

The Social Security Administration (SSA), through its Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) programs, can provide income and other benefits to people diagnosed with mental illness who are reentering the community from jails.  The SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery program (SOAR) helps people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to access SSA disability benefits.

 

With SOAR, eligible inmates can receive SSI/SSDI within months instead of years and exit the jail with resources needed to help stay out of jail.

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To schedule a virtual benefits prescreening consultation to see if you or someone you know qualifies, please contact is at 239-676-3159

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