Displaying 1 - 12 of 20 results found
SOAR Critical Component: The Medical Summary Report
The Medical Summary Report (MSR) is SOAR’s signature tool and key to a successful application. It provides a succinct, comprehensive summary of the applicant’s personal and treatment history and its impact on his or her life. It also clearly describes the factors affecting functioning and ability to work.
Linking Functional Information to Diagnosis and Impairment
For applicants with mental disorders, DDS examiners look at a person’s ability to function in four primary areas. Your responsibility is to describe the functioning of the individual in as much detail as possible and to document how the person’s illness impairs his or her ability to function and maintain employment at a substantial gainful level.
What Medical Providers Need to Know About SOAR
What do medical providers need to know about SOAR and the Medical Summary Report?
SOAR Webinar: Writing Effective Medical Summary Reports (MSRs)
Soon to Come
On this webinar, held on August 15, 2024, the SAMHSA SOAR TA Center shared tips for writing effective MSRs.
SOAR Webinar: Building SOAR Collaborations with Medical Providers
Soon to Come
This webinar, held on March 8, 2023, spotlighted successful collaborations between SOAR practitioners and medical providers.
SOAR Webinar: Medical Summary Report (MSR) Summer Writing Camp
On this webinar, held on August 28, 2019, participants learned tips and tools on how to write quality Medical Summary Reports (MSR).
Demonstrating SOAR Values with Words
Words are powerful, and the words we choose impact understanding, interpretation, and ultimately, the outcomes of disability applications. By carefully choosing our words, we convey respect for the applicant’s experience and their intrinsic value as people first.
Developing SSI/SSDI Applications for Individuals with Long COVID
Here is some guidance from the SAMHSA SOAR TA Center and the Social Security Administration for gathering information about and documenting Long COVID for SSI/SSDI applications.
Interviewing Deaf and Hard of Hearing Individuals for the MSR
This guidance document is a supplement to the Medical Summary Report Interview Guide and Template. It provides important considerations when working with individuals who are Deaf and hard of hearing. It includes helpful information about hearing loss, Deaf culture, and important accommodations. Finally, it includes sample questions that may be helpful in your interview.
Sample SOAR Application Packet - Child
Here are examples of completed SSA and SOAR Forms using information from a fictitious SSI child applicant.
Sample Functional Descriptions
This article provides example descriptions for the areas of mental functioning. The “effective” functional descriptions clearly link the symptoms of the applicant’s illness with their limitations.
Adapt or Manage Oneself
Adapting and managing oneself refers to the abilities to regulate emotions, control behavior, and maintain well-being in a work setting. This article contains key criteria that DDS will assess, tips on gathering information, and examples of functional descriptions.