The SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) initiative is designed to serve adults who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, and who have mental illness, co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders and/or other serious health conditions. SOAR uses the same definition of homelessness as the Federal PATH (Projects for Assistance in the Transition from Homelessness) program. For the PATH program, a person is eligible if they are “homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless” (Public Health Service Act, Part C, Section 522(a)(2).
The PATH and SOAR definitions of homelessness are broader than that used by the HUD McKinney Vento Program. The SOAR and PATH definitions include not only persons who are literally homeless or living in places not fit for human habitation, but individuals who are “doubled-up” with others, those who have been served with an eviction notice or otherwise been asked to leave their residence, and people who are exiting jail, prison, or hospitals and have no place to live. People who have little or no income, but who are not at imminent risk of homelessness, do not meet the definition of homeless or at risk of homelessness under SOAR.
In addition, SOAR is designed to serve individuals who are able to apply for benefits as an adult under SSA rules. This includes anyone 18 years of age or older as well as individuals who are within one month of their 18th birthday. (This definition will change in the next month or so as SSA rules change to allow 17-year-olds to file as adults within 90 days of their 18th birthday).
When a person applies for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the Social Security Administration (SSA) definition of homeless (or transient) on the SSI application may be slightly different. For example, suppose an individual spends the entire month in which he applies staying in one location, but he has to move within the next month or two. That person may be considered homeless under SOAR but not under SSA. In this instance, staff who assist applicants under SOAR make the determination as to whether the applicant meets the SOAR definition of homeless or at risk for homelessness; SSA determines whether the individual meets the eligibility requirements for SSI.
Eligibility for SSI/SSDI application assistance under SOAR is expected to be determined using the above definitions. Often people who are eligible for SSI are also at risk for homelessness, but this is not always the case by any means. Anyone who has questions about whether or not an individual meets this definition should contact their local or state team lead. The names and contact information for these leads can be found here or they can contact a member of the national SOAR technical assistance team at soar@prainc.com.