west central wisconsin community action
TRANSCRIPT
West Central Wisconsin Community Action
Agency, Inc.
M
I
S
S
I
O
N
To take action against poverty by
developing the social and economic
assets of low-income families and their
communities and by working to create a
more just and sustainable society.
Serving 7 Wisconsin Counties
Barron
Chippewa
Dunn
Pepin
Pierce
Polk
St. Croix
What We Do
Weatherization
Energy Assistance for St. Croix & Pepin Counties
Jump Start Car Program
Adult Literacy & Education Assistance
Food Access & Resources Boyceville Food Pantry
Dunn County Farmers Market
Senior Farmers Market Vouchers
Low Income Apartment Rentals
Mortgage Assistance First Time Homebuyer
Foreclosure Intervention
Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Dunn, Pierce, & St. Croix Counties
Homeless Assistance Programs
Outreach & Intake Assessment Point-In-Time counts of people experiencing homelessness
Coordinated Entry System that streamlines the process for accessing services at all homeless assistance agencies
Rapid Re-Housing Rental assistance combined with supportive services aimed to help individuals & families obtain &
maintain permanent housing with limited stays in homelessness.
Tenant-Based Rental Assistance Rental assistance combined with supportive services aimed to help individuals with a disability &
families with a disabled member obtain & maintain permanent housing.
Supportive services are provided by a partner agency.
Transitional Housing 24 month housing program with supportive services that provides an opportunity for clients to
gain the stability needed to maintain permanent housing
Prioritizes individuals & families with significant barriers to obtaining &/or maintaining housing
Permanent Supportive Housing On-going housing assistance & supportive services in scattered site apartments.
Participants are individuals and families experiencing chronic homelessness.
June 2015 – West CAP received SOAR grant Performance Period: June 1st, 2015 – September 30th, 2016
SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) is a national project funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) that is designed to increase access to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) for eligible adults who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness and have a mental illness, medical condition, and/or a co-occurring substance use disorder.
SSI and SSDI
SSI SSDI
Program Supplemental Security
Income
Social Security Disability
Insurance
Program Type Need Entitlement
Federal Income Benefit $733/month Dependent on earnings
paid into SSA system
Associated Insurance
Benefit
Medicaid Medicare after 2 years
While eligibility requirements are different for each
program, the disability determination process for
both programs is the same; one may apply for both
programs simultaneously.
Why is Access to SSI and SSDI Important
for Homeless Recipients?
Disability benefits can provide access to:
Income
Health Insurance
Housing
Stability
Why Is Access to SSI and SSDI Important
for Your Community?
Uninsured people experiencing homelessness with chronic illnesses are frequent users of expensive uncompensated health care.
Providers can recoup the cost of uncompensated health expenses from Medicaid for up to 3 months prior to date of SSI application.
SSI, SSDI and Medicaid bring federal dollars into states, cities, and community programs.
Cost-benefit studies have proven that communities can save money when individuals are housed and can access less costly services.
Income being spent within the community.
Barriers to Accessing SSI/SSDI
The application process is complex and can be difficult to navigate. Especially for people who are homeless, have a mental illness, and/or
substance use disorders
Only about 10-15% of those who apply are typically approved on initial application Initial applications are often denied because they lack vital medical and
functioning information
Appeals take years and many potentially eligible people give up and do not appeal
Medical records for transient persons are often hard to track down or are insufficient for documenting disability. Adequate assessment and documentation is needed explaining how one’s disabling conditions limits one’s ability to work
Breaking Down Barriers to Accessing
SSI/SSDI
Providers who assist SSI/SSDI applicants need
staff who understand the disability determination
process and who have time to assist in all aspects
of developing the application
Relationships with the Social Security
Administration (SSA), the state Disability
Determination Bureau (DDB), community medical
providers and other key players are essential to
changing the outcomes of SSI/SSDI applications
What We Know Is Possible…
Approval rates of 68%
on initial application for
homeless applicants and
begin to receive benefits
within 60-90 days of
application
How is the SOAR Process Different?
SOAR Coordinator…
Acts as representative for claim
Completes assessments with applicants
Collects all medical records
Writes Medical Summary Report
Completes all applications
Who Qualifies for SOAR Program?
Individuals Experiencing Homelessness Can be imminently homeless (homeless within two weeks)
Must have Physical or Mental Health Disability
Reside in Chippewa, Dunn, Barron, Polk, Pierce, Pepin, St. Croix Counties
What can you do?
Refer!!!
Partner with us to provide supports to
SOAR clients (shelter, food, clothing,
transportation, etc…)
Spread the word!
Referral Process
Call West CAP intake line: 1-800-606-9227
All referrals must go through West CAP intake
Specifically state you are calling for SOAR
program
So You Refer…What Next?
Initial application for SOAR program is
sent to individual and should be mailed
to SOAR Coordinator
SOAR Timeline Receive Application
Make contact with applicant, briefly explain program, schedule appointment
Initial Assessment Determine eligibility, explain SOAR process and SSA process
If approved – schedule first visit
1st Home/Office Visit Fill out West CAP application, sign ROIs and other paperwork
Sign form 1696 – Appointment of Representative
Start assessments – identify medical providers
Fax form 1696 and request for previous claims (if applicable) to Lisa Olson at SSA (sets protective filing date)
Continue assessments and collecting medical records
Write Medical Summary Report (MSR) Complete Form 8000
Home/Office Visit Complete Online Forms 3368, 16, and 827
Mail or make appointment with Lisa Olson to submit Form 8000, MSR, and collected medical records.
Contacts
Kristina BechtelSOAR Coordinator
Ph: 715-410-4267
Email: [email protected]
Corin TubridyHomeless Prevention Programs Manager
Ph: 715-235-4511 ext. 205
Email: [email protected]
Questions????