What: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) are disability income benefits administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) that also provide Medicaid and/or Medicare health insurance to individuals who are eligible. The application process for SSI/SSDI is complicated and difficult to navigate. Nationally, about 37 percent of individuals who apply for these benefits are approved on initial application and appeals take an average of two years to complete.
For people who are homeless or who are returning to the community from institutions (jails, prisons or hospitals), access to these programs can be extremely challenging. Approval on initial application for people who are homeless and who have no one to assist them is about 10-15 percent. For those who have a mental illness, substance use issues, or co-occurring disorders that impair cognition, the application process is even more difficult – yet accessing these benefits is often a critical first step in recovery.
SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access and Recovery (SOAR) is an approach that helps states increase access to mainstream benefits for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness through:
Strategic Planning Meeting(s) to establish collaboration among key state and/or local stakeholders and to develop an action plan for implementing the SOAR approach (e.g. SSA and Disability Determination Services (DDS); State Mental Health Agency and Department of Corrections leadership; and community homeless, health and behavioral health providers).
Training of case managers using SAMHSA's Stepping Stones to Recovery curriculum that includes a step-by-step explanation of an improved SSI/SSDI application process. A Train-the-Trainer program allows for expansion and sustainability.
Technical Assistance to states and communities including support for action plan implementation, training observations with feedback, and assistance with tracking outcomes in order to document success and help access additional resources. (SOAR Technical Assistance Center. http://www.prainc.com/SOAR).
When/Where: Great Falls SOAR Refresher Course September 23, 2011 & October 28, 2011 9AM – 2PM Largent Building - 915 First Avenue South Great Falls, MT (406) 761-2104
Billings SOAR Training Registration: September 28 & 29 | 8:00 – 5:00 Garfield School – Room 103 3212 1st Avenue South Billings, MT 59102
Great Falls SOAR Training Registration October 13-14, 2011 Largent Building - 915 First Avenue South Great Falls, MT (406) 761-2104
Helena SOAR Training Registration November 1-2, 2011 Disability Determination Services 2550 Prospect Avenue Helena, MT 59601
September 5, 2012
1:00 - 2:30pm Mountain The US Department of Treasury reports that a lack of financial literacy is one barrier that can lower standards of living and limit prosperity. There are opportunities online and in your community to support you in Being Money Smart. Join us on 9-5-12 to learn about: Free financial education opportunities that you can attend online or in your community. The benefits of Financial Literacy and how increasing your knowledge may increase your Financial Wellness. Online financial literacy games you can play and share with others. REGISTER FOR "Being Money Smart" Prolonging Work - Supports To Keep You On The Job
September 26, 2012
1:00 - 2:30pm Mountain Making the decision to decrease or end employment can become confusing as factors such as health, insurance, productivity and financial stability brush against each other. Your employer and disability insurance provider may have more support to offer than you think. REGISTER FOR "Prolonging Work - Supports to Keep You On The Job" Join us on 9-26-12 to learn about: Creating your vision for working and managing a disability Strategies to protect your productivity How to define gaps in functionality Understanding what your private disability insurance can provide REGISTER FOR "Prolonging Work - Supports to Keep You On The Job" Social Security Disability Insurance - The Impact of Work on Benefits
October 17, 2012
1:00 - 2: