Montana

Montana SOAR State Team

State Team Lead(s):

• Jami Hansen
  Email: Jami.hansen@mt.gov
  Phone: 406-444-3055

TA Center Liaison:

• Abigail Kirkman
  Email: akirkman@prainc.com
  Phone: (518) 439-7415 x5226

SOARing in Montana

SOAR Montana is administered through the Department of Public Health & Human Services, Bureau of Mental Health Services. The goal of SOAR Montana is to increase access to disability income benefits administered by the Social Security Administration for eligible adults who experience homelessness or are at risk of homelessness, and have a mental illness and/or co-occurring substance use disorder. 

Expectations of Participation in SOAR

Individuals become SOAR certified by completing the SOAR Online Course. Prior to beginning the online course, individuals need to contact the State Team Lead and/or your area Local Lead(s) to discuss their training needs and expectations of the SOAR process. Upon notice that a Certificate of Completion for online training has been issued from the National SOAR TA Center, the participant will be contacted by the State Team Lead and/or your area Local Lead(s) with information about the upcoming SOAR Online Course Review Session.

All individuals who complete the online curriculum must participate in the follow-up SOAR Online Review Session (formerly known as the Fundamentals Training), which includes information on State and local-specific SOAR processes. The above/below requirements must be completed prior to submitting SOAR claims to SSA/DDS. 

Certified SOAR Caseworkers must agree to the following requirements:

• Request permission from agency leadership to participate in the SOAR Online Course
• Complete the following SOAR Critical Components:
  • Serve as the applicant’s appointed representative for the purpose of applying for SSI/SSDI. Representation includes “standing in” for the applicant, responding to questions, receiving copies of all mail sent to the applicant, and communicating back and forth with SSA and DDS.
  • Complete applications for both SSI and SSDI.
  • Collect medical records from providers who have treated the applicant over the last two years.
  • Complete the SSA psychosocial assessment, functional impairment assessment, and substance use worksheet.
  • Write a comprehensive medical summary report that includes psychosocial, treatment, and functional information that is co-signed, if at all possible, by a physician or psychologist who has seen the individual.
  • Conduct ongoing outreach and engagement with the individual to stay connected throughout the process and to work with the individual to obtain other needed services and treatment such as housing, physical and mental health care, other support services, food, and clothing.

• SOAR Outcomes & OAT — Soon to come. Contact your SOAR Team Lead for more info.