Wisconsin SOAR Foundations

SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access and Recovery

Course Description

SOAR (SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery) helps people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness and have a serious illness or disability get Social Security disability benefits. This self-paced online course prepares service providers to help applicants through the SOAR model from start to finish. The course covers finding eligible applicants, gathering medical and functional evidence, completing the SSA forms, writing a Functional Assessment Statement (FAST), and supporting applicants after a decision. Video scenarios show real-world interviewing, evidence gathering, and advocacy skills. A companion guidebook gives you a reference to use in your daily work.

Learning Objectives
After completing this course, participants will be able to:

• Explain how the SOAR model and a high-quality initial application improve access to SSI and SSDI benefits.
• Apply SSA's non-medical and medical eligibility criteria to assess a potential applicant's disability claim.
• Gather applicant, collateral, and medical evidence that documents functional limitations against SSA's disability standard.
• Prepare a complete and consistent set of SSA application forms as the applicant's Appointed Representative.
• Compose a Functional Assessment Statement (FAST) that connects medical evidence to specific functional limitations.
• Submit a SOAR-assisted application within SSA timelines, coordinating with SSA and the Disability Determination Bureau (DDB).
• Support applicants after a disability decision, including post-approval steps, work incentives, and appeals.

Module Outline

Module 1: The SOAR Approach [23:02]
Introduces the SOAR model, its six phases, your role as Appointed Representative, and why engagement is foundational to the work.

1. Meet the Applicant and the Practitioner (3:46 min) 
2. What SOAR Is, and Why It Exists (8:11 min) 
3. The Whole Journey: The Six Phases (6:07 min) 
4. Your Role as the Appointed Representative (4:57 min)

Module 2: How Disability Benefits Work [27:19]
Explains the SSI and SSDI programs, SSA's definition of disability, and the five-step Sequential Evaluation Process that SSA and DDB use to decide claims.

1. SSI and SSDI: How the Two Programs Differ (6:22 min) 
2. Who Qualifies: Non-Medical Eligibility & SGA (7:55 min) 
3. SSA’s Definition of Disability (4:02 min) 
4. Who Decides: SSA and DDB (3:15 min) 
5. The Sequential Evaluation Process (5:45 min) 

Module 3: Phase 1: Identifying Applicants [33:41]
Covers Phase 1 of SOAR, how to decide whether SOAR fits an applicant, apply definitions of homelessness, check SSA application history, and register for a Rep ID.

1. Who SOAR Is For (9:46 min) 
2. Defining Homelessness (3:15 min) 
3. Recognizing Potential Eligibility (5:55 min) 
4. Checking Application History (5:45 min) 
5. Getting Yourself Set Up as a Representative (9:00 min)

Module 4: Phase 2: Initiate - Starting the Claim and the Clock [32:43]
Walks through Phase 2 of SOAR, from the intake meeting, signing releases, setting the Protective Filing Date, and managing the 60-day SSA submission clock.

1. Intake and Active Engagement (17:32 min) 
2. The Protective Filing Date (4:23 min) 
3. The Alleged Onset Date and the Protective Filing Date (6:36 min) 
4. The 60 Day Clock (4:12 min) 

Module 5: The Disability Standard [22:28]
Examines SSA's Listing of Impairments, the four areas of mental functioning, substance use materiality, and the RFC-based path to approval.

1. The SSA Blue Book & How It Guides Everything (4:49 min) 
2. Disorder Listings: How One Is Met (4:03 min) 
3. The Four Areas of Mental Functioning & the Five-Point Scale (4:53 min) 
4. The “Serious & Persistent” Pathway (Paragraph C) (5:06 min) 
5. RFC: The Other Path to Allowance (Steps 4–5) (3:37 min) 

Module 6: Phase 3: Investigate – Gather the Evidence [33:32]
Covers Phase 3 of SOAR, building a full picture of the applicant's functioning from the applicant, collateral sources, and medical records to meet the disability standard.

1. Information from the Applicant (4:57 min) 
2. Collateral Sources (13:54 min) 
3. Medical Records - What Counts (6:24 min) 
4. Requesting Records (4:13 min) 
5. The Mental Status Exam (1:34 min) 
6. Matching the Evidence to the Standard (2:30 min) 

Module 7: Phase 4: Develop – Completing SSA Application Forms [50:01]
Covers Phase 4 of SOAR, explaining how the SSA forms fit together, the SOAR conventions that protect applicants, and why consistency across forms matters.

1. Consistency Across Forms (5:13 min) 
2. The Online-Application Worksheets (SSA-16 and SSA-3368) (20:52 min) 
3. The SSI Application (SSA-8000) (16:16 min) 
4. Appointed Representative (SSA-1696) (7:40 min) 

Module 8: Phase 4: Develop – Functional Assessment Statement (FAST) [28:48]
Continues Phase 4 of SOAR, teaching the seven sections of the FAST and how to write evidence-based functional descriptions that make the claim's central argument.

1. The Functional Assessment Statement (FAST) (6:47 min) 
2. Writing the Four Functional Areas (9:32 min) 
3. The Substance Use Section (6:30 min) 
4. The Summary & AMS Co-Signature (5:59 min) 

Module 9: Phase 5: Submitting the Application [27:43]
Covers Phase 5 of SOAR, detailing the three-wave submission sequence and how to communicate and collaborate with SSA and DDB after submission.

1. Two Clocks, Two Agencies (4:04 min) 
2. The Three Waves (4:19 min) 
3. After you Submit: Moving from Submit to Support (19:20 min) 

Module 10: Phase 6: Supporting the Applicant Post-Decision [29:40]
Covers Phase 6 of SOAR, preparing you to help applicants after approval or denial, including the PERC interview, work incentives, appeals, and closing out your representative role.

1. The Decision (6:07 min) 
2. Approval Path (4:26 min) 
3. Work Incentives (11:12 min) 
4. Denial Path: Appeals (5:26 min) 
5. Closing Your Role (2:29 min)

Continuing Education Hours
This course includes 7 hours of content (5:08:57 + 100 quiz questions). Credit will be awarded upon successful completion of all content, activities, and quizzes.