The SAMHSA SOAR TA Center offers two free online courses that train case managers to assist individuals to apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), disability income benefit programs administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA).

The SOAR Online Course: Adult Curriculum trains case workers to assist adults (age 18+) who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness and have a serious mental illness, medical impairment, and/or a co-occurring substance use disorder to apply for SSI/SSDI.

The SOAR Online Course: Child Curriculum trains case workers to assist children (under age 18) who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness and have a serious mental illness, medical impairment, and/or a co-occurring substance use disorder to apply for SSI.

Whichever course you enroll in, the SOAR Online Course will help you maximize outcomes for individuals applying for SSI and SSDI. The SAMHSA SOAR TA Center’s Online two online courses educate case managers through a series of articles, videos, and short quizzes. In each course, practitioners have the opportunity to apply their knowledge by completing an SSI application for a fictional applicant using information gathered via video interviews, medical records, and progress notes provided throughout the course.

Both courses also include individualized feedback on your practice case application packet from experts at the SAMHSA SOAR TA Center. Caseworkers who complete the courses are equipped with comprehensive information about SSI/SSDI and the disability determination process and learn the SOAR Critical Components of completing and submitting SSI/SSDI applications.

The SOAR online course equips participants with the tools and practices necessary to connect individuals with the resources they need to succeed to access essential income benefits. Register today for the SOAR Online Course to help individuals maximize supports and promote recovery.

This resource was first shared in 2017.

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