NYAPRS Note: Here’s a timely report by Dazara Ware and Kristin Lupfer entitled “Promoting Reentry Success through Increased Access to Social Security Benefits” which can be found in the January/February issue of AMERICANJails, to be found via the attached or at https://www.americanjail.org/Files/American%20Jails/2019_JF_Ware%20&%20Lupfer_Promoting%20Reentry%20Success%20Through%20Increased%20Access%20to%20SS%20Benefits.pdf.
Following are some excerpts:
“Jails have an opportunity to develop effective reentry plans for people who are medically disabled, lack income, and may be released to homelessness or housing instability, and end the cycle of recidivism for many. For people with disabilities, income from SSI/SSDI can be a critical step toward stability and recovery. The SOAR model and the SAMHSA SOAR Technical Assistance (TA) Center can help jails connect inmates with these crucial SSA benefits.
The SOAR Model: An Essential Component of Reentry Services SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) is a model designed to help people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness to access SSA disability benefits. Integration of the SOAR model in jail settings is showing promising results for reducing recidivism…
The SAMHSA SOAR TA Center provides comprehensive and free online training that prepares providers to assist with the SSI/SSDI application process. Trainees learn to complete SSA forms and provide documentation of a disabling condition. Fifty States and Washington, D.C. have reported using the SOAR model to assist more than 71,705 people who were experiencing or at risk of homelessness with SSI and/or SSDI applications.
On average, SOAR practitioners hold a national approval rate upon initial application of 65% (2018 National Outcomes). These outcomes can be compared to the national average of 29% for people applying without assistance and 10–15% for people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness who are applying without assistance. For more information, contact the SAMHSA SOAR TA Center at soar@prainc.com or visit https://soarworks.prainc.com.”