Get Help Before You Apply for SSI or SSDI
A SOAR-informed pathway to stronger documentation, clearer guidance, and better outcomes.
What is SOAR?
SOAR stands for SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery. It is a federally supported national model designed to help people who are experiencing homelessness, at risk of homelessness, living with serious mental illness, substance use challenges, or other complex barriers apply for SSI and SSDI benefits more effectively.
Feeling overwhelmed, denied, or unsure where to start? This site provides independent guidance to help you understand the SSI/SSDI process, organize your information, and move forward with more confidence.
Guidance informed by real-world experience helping individuals navigate SSI/SSDI and disability benefits.
From policy to practice—Kentucky built the bridge. This platform helps you walk the pathway to better outcomes.
From confusion to clarity. From denial to stronger cases. From policy to real outcomes.
SOAR Pathway
Better documentation. Clearer guidance. Stronger outcomes.
Watch & Learn
Watch: How SOAR-Informed Guidance Helps
A short explanation of how SOAR-informed support can help individuals organize their SSI/SSDI information, understand next steps, and move forward with confidence.
Video coming soon: Evelyn explains the SOAR pathway, documentation, and how to get guidance before applying.
Coming SoonSOAR stands for SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery. It is a federally supported national model designed to help people who are experiencing homelessness, at risk of homelessness, living with serious mental illness, substance use challenges, or other complex barriers apply for SSI and SSDI benefits more effectively.
This website uses a SOAR-informed approach to help people understand the process, organize documentation, identify functional limitations, and prepare stronger SSI/SSDI cases.
Educational video and links are provided for guidance only. This site is independent and not affiliated with the Social Security Administration.
Logic Model
The SOAR-Integrated Pathway Logic Model
A coordinated model connecting documentation, benefits navigation, healthcare access, and long-term stability.
SOAR-Integrated Reentry Pathway Logic Model
Upload the logic model diagram using the + button in chat and it will appear here.
Step-by-Step
Your Success Pathway
A simple step-by-step process to help you move from overwhelm to organized action.
Start With Guidance
Understand where you are in the SSI/SSDI process.
Identify What Is Missing
Review medical, work, housing, and functional documentation gaps.
Strengthen the Case
Connect evidence to SSA criteria and functional limitations.
Submit With Confidence
Move forward with clearer documentation and next steps.
Stay Supported
Continue receiving guidance through application, denial, or appeal preparation.
Guided Support
Ask Evelyn — Guided Case Support
This guided support feature helps individuals take the first step by organizing their situation, identifying next steps, and connecting to SSI/SSDI guidance.
First-Time Application Help
Guidance for individuals beginning the SSI or SSDI process for the first time.
Denial & Appeal Support
Support for understanding next steps after a denial and preparing for appeals.
Documentation Review Guidance
Help reviewing and strengthening medical, work, and functional documentation.
Program Model
For Partners & Funders
The SOAR-Integrated Pathway is designed as a scalable intervention model that can support reentry programs, housing agencies, community health organizations, and benefit navigation services.
Learn About the Program Model- Improves access to benefits and healthcare
- Supports documentation quality
- Strengthens reentry coordination
- Reduces gaps between policy and practice
- Creates measurable outcomes for program evaluation
Impact
Evaluation Snapshot
Key measures that can demonstrate program impact.
Individuals screened
SOAR applications submitted
Medicaid activations
Provider connections
Follow-up within 30 days
Improved housing stability
Reduced emergency room use
Reduced recidivism risk
National Model
What is SOAR?
SOAR stands for SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery. It is a national model designed to help people who are experiencing homelessness, serious mental illness, substance use challenges, or other complex barriers apply for SSI and SSDI benefits more effectively.
- Evidence-Based
- Person-Centered
- Compassionate
- Efficient
- Improves Outcomes
Process
How the Pathway Works
Learn
Understand SSI/SSDI basics and what information may be needed.
Organize
Gather medical, work, housing, and functional information.
Request Guidance
Complete the help request or begin secure guidance.
Move Forward
Receive clear next steps and support to continue the application or appeal process.
Services
Built on a SOAR-Informed Model
Documentation Strategy
Helping organize medical and functional evidence.
Functional Limitations
Helping connect conditions to daily and work-related limitations.
Benefit Navigation
Helping individuals understand SSI/SSDI steps, appeals, and preparation.
Context
Why This Matters
Many people are denied benefits not because they do not need support, but because their case is incomplete, unclear, or not connected to Social Security's decision-making criteria. This model helps individuals organize their information, improve documentation, and move forward with greater confidence.
Stronger Cases
Better documentation leads to stronger cases.
Faster Clarity
Organized information means clearer next steps.
Better Outcomes
Stronger support creates better outcomes for individuals and communities.
Clear, simple guidance to help you move forward with confidence.
Independent guidance service. Not affiliated with the Social Security Administration (SSA). Secure payments processed through Square. This site provides education and navigation support and does not guarantee approval or replace legal, medical, or official Social Security advice.
Begin Your Process
Start My Guidance Request
Ready to get guidance? Use the secure payment button to begin, or go directly to the SSA application.
Independent guidance service. Not legal, medical, or official Social Security advice.
Looking for service details? Visit the Guidance page.