Transcript Slide 1
SOAR Fundamentals
Part II
SSI/SSDI OUTREACH, ACCESS, AND RECOVERY
SAMHSA SOAR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER
Sponsored by:
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
April 2014
Welcome
Pamela Heine, MSW, LSW
Senior Project Associate
SAMHSA SOAR Technical Assistance Center
Policy Research Associates, Inc.
Logistics
Recording
Downloading materials
Poll questions
Chat questions
Live Q&A
Review
SOAR Leadership Academy Webinar Series:
4/10- SOAR Fundamentals Overview:
New Opportunities
SOAR Online Course
Local Implementation
Intro to the SOAR Fundamentals training
4/17- SOAR Fundamentals: Part I
The Basics
Getting Started
Preview
Continuation of SOAR Fundamentals Refresher
Medical
Summary Report
Tracking Outcomes
Special Populations
Veterans,
SSA
Children, Justice Involved Persons
Appeals Process
Next Steps
Poll and Chat Questions
Q&A
POLL QUESTION #1
Medical Summary Report
Refresher
The Importance of the Medical
Summary Report
Critical component of the SOAR model
Provides a vivid picture of the individual for the DDS examiner who never
sees them
Provides a clear link to the functional impairment
Often takes place of the SSA-3373 Function Report
Helps to avoid the limited space and check-boxes of these forms
Is medical evidence when co-signed by a physician or psychologist
Can be sent directly to the DDS examiner or hand delivered to SSA
Receives positive feedback from DDS examiners around the country
Tips for Writing
Collect medical records after Releases of Information are
signed
Go through medical records and organize in chronological
order
Set aside several hours at a time to begin writing the
report with no interruptions
Sit down with all information -- medical records, intake
packet, completed MSR worksheet (personal, medical,
employment and substance use history) and any current
mental status exams
Components of the MSR
Reference Section
Introduction
Personal History
Diagnostic and Treatment Information
Link to Functional Impairment
Summary
Contact Information
Introduction Section
Demographics
Physical description – hygiene, grooming, dress,
make-up, any unique characteristics
Include diagnoses and impairment information
Help the DDS examiner “see” the individual as
you do!
Diagnoses and Treatment
Psychiatric and physical
Chronological treatment history
Specific quotes from the applicant or record
that illustrate diagnosis
Observations of behavior
Durational issues
Current mental status exam
Link to Functional Impairment
Critical to connect symptoms/effects of illness with
marked functional impairments
To the extent possible in all four functional areas
Demonstrate impact of illness(es) on ability to work
Medication – effects and side effects
Support and effect of support
Compare with lack of support
Make the Link
The MSR is the link that connects the diagnosis to the
limitations that the applicant experiences
Being able to document this link is very important in
order to demonstrate the applicant’s inability to
engage in substantial gainful activity
Diagnosis
Limitations in
Functioning
Why can’t the
applicant work?
Medical Summary Report Worksheet
Tool for gathering information needed to write the MSR
Open-ended questions
Tell me about …
How often …
When was the last time …
Functional questions
Context of questions – SGA
Distinguish between access and ability
Do not turn the worksheet in to DDS!
Summary and Contact Information
Ties all information together for a concise
picture of the individual
Contact – names and numbers
Co-signed by case manager, treating
physician/psychologist
MSR Samples & Support
Visit the SOAR website for MSR samples and
abbreviated versions
The SOAR TA Center will review redacted MSR
letters and provide feedback upon request
Worth the Effort
The overall process of applying for benefits is
time-consuming
Putting forth the initial effort for an earlier,
more successful outcome may seem difficult, but
it is worth the effort!
Programs with higher outcomes submit medical
summary reports
Tracking Outcomes
POLL QUESTION #2
Online Application Tracking (OAT)
https://soartrack.prainc.com
A web-based program that allows case managers to
keep track of their outcomes
Free
Easy to use
Accessible from any web browser
Nothing to download
On a secure server
HIPAA compliant
No personal identifying information is collected
Registration
Outcomes in OAT
Outcomes for initial applications & appeals
Approval
rates
Time to decision
Critical components
Optional outcomes
Housing
Employment
Medicaid
and other public benefit reimbursements
Applicant Identification (ID)
No personally identifiable information
Alpha-numeric ID
First
2 letters of first name
Last 2 digits of the birth year
First 2 letters of last name
Last 4 digits of the Social Security Number
Case workers should record Applicant ID in the case
file for cross reference
Example: Summary Report
Special Populations
Special Populations
Veterans
Children
Justice-Involved Persons
Veterans and SSA Benefits
The definition of disability and application process is different for
VA and SSA benefits
Discharge status is not a factor in SSI/SSDI determination
Those denied for VA benefits may still be eligible for SSI/SSDI
Veterans can access SSA benefits while they are waiting for VA benefits
Veterans who receive a partial disability rating and limited VA
benefits may also receive supplemental SSA benefits
Health insurance associated with SSA benefits can be important
for Veterans without VA health care
SSA has special provisions for expediting disability applications
for Wounded Warriors, that also apply to appeals
VA Staff and SOAR
Staff are encouraged to participate in SOAR training
and assist with SSI/SSDI applications
May disclose VA records to SSA if Veteran signs the
appropriate release (SSA-827)
Can assist in gathering documentation, completing the
SSI/SSDI application forms, and referring the Veteran
to a SOAR representative, if needed
May not serve as Authorized Representative (SSA1696) or Representative Payee (SSA-11), but can be
listed as a contact who knows the Veteran
How Do Children Qualify for SSI?
Four main criteria considered:
Disability
Income
Parent/household income
Resources
A medically determinable physical or mental impairment, which results in
marked and severe functional limitations and which can be expected to
result in death or which has lasted for a continuous period of not less
than 12 months
How does the child’s functional abilities compare to the functional
abilities of a child of the same age who does not have the physical
and/or mental impairments?
Parent/household resources
Citizenship/Immigration status
Justice – Involved Persons
Warrants (other than escape) should not hinder
a person from applying or receiving payment
A person can apply for benefits while
incarcerated
Prior history of incarceration alone does not
make someone eligible for benefits
Engagement Tips for People in
Correctional Settings
Jails and prisons have distinct cultures
Anticipate how this culture or “code” affects
behavior and functioning in prison
Expand skills to engage individuals in this culture
Life experience affects engagement
Engagement involves creating a safe space
SSA Appeals Process
POLL QUESTION #3
SSA Appeals Process
1. Initial determination
2. Reconsideration
3. Administrative Hearing
4. Appeals Council Review
5. Federal Court Review
Federal Court Review
Appeals Council Review
Administrative Hearing
Reconsideration
Initial Determination
Appeal Online
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pgm/appeal.html
Reconsideration
First level of appeal in most states, except for these areas:
Request for Reconsideration needed to initiate the appeals
process
Must be filed within 60 days of the date of the denial notice,
plus an extra 5 days for mailing
Three forms to file:
Alabama, Alaska, California (Los Angeles North & WB), Colorado,
Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, & Pennsylvania
Request for Reconsideration
Disability Report - Appeal
Authorization to Disclose Information
All may be obtained and filed online at www.ssa.gov
Reconsideration
DDS takes an entirely new look at the case and
makes a new determination on a person’s disability
New disability examiner/analyst and new reviewing
physician
Many ways to support a claim at this stage:
Complete more detailed Disability Report - Appeal
Revisit the steps in the SOAR model to develop the claim for
Reconsideration
What To Do If the Deadline Has Passed?
The applicant can appeal if he/she has “Good Cause”
for missing the deadline
Ask SSA to accept late filing by giving “good cause” or
reason for the delay
Related to applicant’s disability
Limited English proficiency and/or education
Failure to understand the requirements
Failure to receive denial notice within 5 days of the date on
the notice
Unusual or unavoidable circumstances such as hospitalization
Appeal vs. New Application
Starting a new application results in:
Requesting reconsideration:
The loss of the earlier protective filing date and
potential loss of months of back benefits
Preserves the protective filing date and potential
eligibility for months of back benefits
Be sure the applicant knows the difference and is
making an informed choice!
Know the Reason(s) for Denial
Request the electronic folder (CD) from SSA or the
Office of Disability Adjudication and Review
(ODAR)
Review the CD to ascertain evidence on file and
rationale for denial
Review earnings record to make sure there are no
SGA earnings
Make note of errors, omissions and plan your
strategy
Administrative Hearing
Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Hearing
If denied at Reconsideration or you are in a
prototype state
File appeal online within 60 days of decision
Review the claim, including the evidence used to
deny the claim
Submit new evidence if applicable
Plan to attend the hearing
On the Record (OTR) Review
A written request asking that the ALJ make a favorable decision
based on the evidence in the case record
You are requesting a decision based on new evidence that has
become available since the DDS denial
A favorable decision is the only decision possible through an OTR review
Otherwise there is no decision and the hearing process goes forward as
though the OTR never happened
Can be as big as a catastrophic worsening of the claimant’s condition, or
as small as an onset date that was entered incorrectly
Can be requested by the claimant or SOAR representative but
is often done through a screening process by the ODAR Attorney
Adjudicators in an effort to clear hearing backlogs
Now What?
Next Steps
Get started on your first application
Reach out to your colleagues, local leads and the
SAMHSA SOAR TA Center for assistance
Keep in close communication with your SSA and
DDS representatives
Attend local SOAR steering committee meetings
Track your outcomes in OAT
Your State SOAR Team
Attention Local Leads!
Add your information below:
State Team Lead contact information
Local Lead(s) contact information
SOAR Leaders Page
http://soarworks.prainc.com
Leaders Only
Password: SOARWorks
Case
sensitive
Leaders Tab
Materials
for SOAR Fundamentals trainings
Trainers Tab
Materials
for 2-day trainings
POLL QUESTION #4
POLL QUESTION #5
CHAT QUESTIONS
Homework!
Download the SOAR Fundamentals PowerPoint
Peruse the SOAR Leaders page
Enroll in the SOAR Online Course
Contact the SOAR TA Center with any questions!
For More Information
Visit the SOAR website at http://soarworks.prainc.com
Or contact:
SAMHSA SOAR TA Center
Policy Research Associates, Inc.
Delmar, NY
(518) 439 – 7415
[email protected]
Facebook: SOARWorks
Twitter: @soarworks