What is SOAR?

SOAR stands for SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access and Recovery.  It is an outcome-oriented approach to expedite access to social security disability benefits for people who are homeless and who have serious mental illness and/or co-occurring substance use disorders.

Why SOAR?

The SSI/SSDI application and disability determination process can seem complex.  Often, there is a disconnect between the experience of homelessness and the disability application process and only about 20 percent of those who apply are typically approved on initial application. Outcomes from 37 states provided evidence of the efficacy of the SOAR project. In 2010, 73 percent of the applications submitted using the SOAR approach were approved on initial application in 91 days on average.

How to Participate

• Attend a SOAR Essentials Training to learn the benefits of SOAR in our community and provide effective outreach and referral.

Kings County:                                                          Tulare County:

TBD                                                                            January 26, 2012

TBD                                                                           10:30 to 12:30pm

Kings Behavioral Health                                       Housing Authority Tulare County

450 Kings County Dr., Suite 104                         5140 West Cypress

Hanford, CA  93230                                               Visalia, CA 93277

• Attend a SOAR 2-day Stepping Stones to Recovery Training to get a step-by-step explanation of the SSI/SSDI application and disability determination process as well as samples and explanations of SSA and DDS paperwork and necessary reports.

Kings & Tulare Counties:

Date/Time TBD

Kings Behavioral Health

450 Kings County Dr., Suite 104

Hanford, CA  93230