Find Your Colleagues!
Use the interactive map below to see where SOAR caseworkers are located across NC. Click here to find SOAR caseworkers' contact information.
Annual Meeting Materials
Thank you to everyone who could join us for the 12th Annual SOAR Caseworker Meeting, held on November 29, 2023!
NC SOAR Process for Filing SOAR Applications
- SOAR Caseworkers can no longer fax applications
- To establish a Protective Filing Date:
- Start an online application at SSA.gov
- You will need to submit the application to SSA within 60 days of starting the application
- To obtain the history of the applicant at SSA:
- Submit an SSA-3288 AND additional information form to the SOAR SSA contact
- SOAR Application Process Flowchart
- SOAR Case Processing Flowchart
- SOAR Reconsideration Process Flowchart
- Steps to Completing a SOAR Application
Adult SOAR Resources
- Use this SSA Contact List (current as of January 2024) to fax the SSA-3288 and Additional Information Form to the attention of the local office manager.
- Use this DDS Contact list (current as of August 2024) to contact examiners once they've been assigned to your case.
- Read the SOAR Advanced FAQ to see the answers to the most frequently asked questions about SOAR cases and the NC SOAR process.
- SSA-1696:
- Form
- Guidance from the SOAR TA Center on how to fill out the new form
- Red section reminder: Attach as cover page to your 1696s
- SSA-827:
- Form
- In April 2020, SSA released a new Authorization to Disclose Information form. The form has been revised with only minor changes.
- SSA-3369:
- Form
- In order to assist SOAR caseworkers, DDS provided talking points with directions and tips. Please note that if a job required someone to do an activity at the same time (ex: standing and reaching) then those hours can add up to more than 8 hours on the form.
- SOAR Claims at NC DDS: This resource written by NC DDS provides an overview of how SOAR applications are processed at DDS and provides guidance on expectations for DDS Examiners and SOAR caseworkers.
- Training videos here for the NC Specific SOAR Process
- Slides for the one hour crash course reviewing steps in the NC SOAR process.
Child SOAR Resources
The following resources are for caseworkers participating in the NC SOAR pilot of the Child SOAR training curriculum initiated in September 2019. Participants in the pilot were pre-approved. NC SOAR hopes to expand the use of the Child SOAR training curriculum after completing the pilot in 2020.
- 2020 Child NC SOAR Process
- Use this Local SSA Office Contact Information to fax the SSA-3328 and Additional Information Form to the attention of the local office manager. Remember, the day you fax the ROI becomes the applicant's protective filing date!
- Word versions of SOAR forms can be found on the national SOAR website
This process and contact information is only to be used by SOAR trained caseworkers. All SSA offices in North Carolina have been notified of the SOAR process. However, due to staff turnover, some offices may be more familiar with SOAR than others. Please email us if you need help educating your local SSA office about the SOAR process.
Questions? Concerns? Please don't hesitate to contact Adriana Diaz at NCCEH by email or at 919-755-4393, extension 5030.
We look forward to working with you to make this process a reality in North Carolina!