The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) has partnered with the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) and the United States Social Security Administration (SSA) to provide Minnesota’s homeless and at-risk Veterans with expanded access to Social Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits.
SOAR, which stands for SSI/SSDI, Outreach, Access, and Recovery is a program designed to increase access to SSI/SSDI for those who are experiencing or at-risk of experiencing homelessness and have mental illness, medical impairment, and/or co-occurring substance use disorders. Eligible Veterans are able to work with a trained MDVA SOAR advocate who will assist them with collecting the necessary information, completing necessary SSA forms to file a comprehensive application packet to SSA, and aiding them through the determination process. SOAR representation can be accessed at no cost to the Veteran.
SOAR is changing the lives of at-risk Veterans, helping them access sustainable income and stable housing by applying for federal funds available through SSA. SSDI benefits can help cover housing cost, assist with needed health care, as well as help in making ends meet for Veterans and their families.
For more information about the MDVA SOAR process, please contact the Homeless Programs Coordinators Office at homelessprograms.mdva@state.mn.us or 1-888-LinkVet (546-5838). To refer someone to receive assistance under the SOAR Program, please contact LinkVet at 1-888-LinkVet (546-5838).
