What is SOAR?
SOAR is a program that helps disabled people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness apply for disability benefits. The goal of SOAR is to end homelessness by making it easier to get benefits like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
How does SOAR work?
SOAR knows that the application process for SSI/SSDI benefits is hard, especially for people with disabilities who are also homeless. SOAR trains caseworkers to help people apply successfully for SSI/SSDI on the first try and avoid lengthy appeals.
In North Carolina, 75% of applications prepared by a SOAR Caseworker for SSI/SSD were approved on the first application. This is compared to a national approval rate of about 15% for SOAR-eligible individuals who applied without assistance.
Who is eligible for SOAR?
You may be eligible for SOAR if you meet the following three criteria:
- You are homeless or at risk of homelessness;
- You are disabled; and
- You are an adult.
An adult includes anyone 18 years or older, individuals within one month of their 18th birthday, or children in the foster care system within 180 days of their foster care eligibility ending due to age.
SOAR is not for people who have stable housing or who have the resources to obtain housing. If you have questions about your eligibility, email soar@ncceh.org.
How do I get assistance through SOAR?
Below is a list of agencies who have SOAR-trained staff. Not every county has a SOAR caseworker, so please contact the SOAR program at If you have questions, call 919-755-4393 or email at soar@ncceh.org.
| County | Agency Name | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| All NC | DukeWELL | 919-660-8139 |
| Brunswick | Coastal Disability Advocates | 910-297-9131 |
| Volunteers of America | 919-943-2666 | |
| Buncombe | Pisgah Legal Services | 828-538-0465 |
| Burke | Meeting Place Mission | 828-479-0721 |
| Cumberland | Volunteers of America | 919-943-2666 |
| Duplin | Volunteers of America | 919-943-2666 |
| Durham | Nichole Shackelford | 312-627-9863 |
| AP Smith Community Partners CDC | 919-937-7184 | |
| Forsyth | GG’s Wellness Centers, Inc. | 336-654-9447 |
| Franklin | Holt Assessment Services, LLC | 252-410-0548 toni.holt@holtassessmentservicesllc.com |
| Gaston | Gaston County Department of Health & Human Services | 704-862-7848 |
| Granville | Holt Assessment Services, LLC | 252-410-0548 toni.holt@holtassessmentservicesllc.com |
| AP Smith Community Partners CDC | 919-937-7184 | |
| Guilford | The Servant Center | 336-370-1501 |
| Halifax | Holt Assessment Services, LLC | 252-410-0548 toni.holt@holtassessmentservicesllc.com |
| Hoke | Volunteers of America | 919-943-2666 |
| Jones | Volunteers of America | 919-943-2666 |
| Mecklenburg | Mecklenburg County Criminal Justice Services | 980-314-1956 |
| Mecklenburg County Community Support Services | 980-314-8928 | |
| Mecklenburg County Department of Community Resources | 704-432-7233 | |
| Promise Resource Network | 743-220-3648 | |
| Northampton | Holt Assessment Services, LLC | 252-410-0548 toni.holt@holtassessmentservicesllc.com |
| New Hanover | Coastal Disability Advocates | 910-297-9131 |
| Volunteers of America | 919-943-2666 | |
| Coastal Horizons | 910-279-8008 | |
| Onslow | Gates to Change Outreach | 910-381-2775 |
| Volunteers of America | 919-943-2666 | |
| Orange | AP Smith Community Partners CDC | 919-937-7184 |
| Pender | Coastal Disability Advocates | 910-297-9131 |
| Volunteers of America | 919-943-2666 | |
| Robeson | Volunteers of America | 919-943-2666 |
| Sampson | Volunteers of America | 919-943-2666 |
| Scotland | Volunteers of America | 919-943-2666 |
| Wake | Southlight Healthcare | 919-787-6131 |
| AP Smith Community Partners CDC | 919-937-7184 | |
| Warren | Holt Assessment Services, LLC | 252-410-0548 toni.holt@holtassessmentservicesllc.com |
| Vance | Holt Assessment Services, LLC | 252-410-0548 toni.holt@holtassessmentservicesllc.com |
| AP Smith Community Partners CDC | 919-937-7184 |
Who Funds SOAR?
SOAR is a program funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). SAMHSA leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. SAMHSA’s mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities.
Additional Information
In North Carolina, the SOAR Program is led by the North Carolina Coalition to End Homelessness (NCCEH). NCCEH offers training and ongoing technical support for caseworkers as they make applications for SSI/SSDI benefits in a more effective and efficient manner. Please note that NCCEH does not provide direct services or case management to individuals for the SOAR program.