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Notes by Summer D Clemenson
Facilitated by:
- Christina Clayton – LICSW CDP, Program Manager, DESC
- Kate Budd – Program Coordinator, Clark County Department of Community Services
- Sue Chance – Social Services Coordinator, Community Service Division, Washington State Department of Social & Health Services
- Ray Switzer – Manager/Team Leader of Building 9 for Veterans, Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs
SOAR – SSI/SSDI Outreach Access & Recovery (for People Who are Homeless)
SOAR is important because:
- State Reduction in public assistance
- State Reduction in funding for SSI facilitators
- No other income possibility for low-income singe individuals who have disabilities
- Income begins to solve homelessness
- Income helps create access to other services and resources
Technical Definition of SOAR
- National project funded by SAMHSA (The Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration www.samhsa.org)
SOAR allows people to get services at point of initial application by utilizing collaboration.
Someone applying who is already trying to survive is going to have a really hard time with the traditional application process.
10-15% of applicants who are homeless are approved by traditional methods to apply for SSI benefits. Using SOAR 37% of homeless applicants are approved.
The old process is complicated, requires extensive documentation & takes a lot of time and understanding of criteria. SOAR answers this.
Addiction/Using does not deter eligibility of services. Decision is a medical decision – especially in circumstances of mental illness.
Double win for communities:
- People receiving services make purchases and add to the tax base.
- Cuts down emergency medical costs.
- HMIS (Homeless Management Information Systems) – intake providers should be entered when they do application, when it was successful and any management of client.
- Documentation proves to investors their money is well spent.
- SOAR provides services to those with mental health issues and/or co-curing issues
