Tracking SOAR outcomes is a critical way to document successes and to target technical assistance needs. Using the SOAR Online Application Tracking (OAT) program, case workers can easily enter application outcome data and generate reports to use for local sustainability efforts. Report structure changed in July 2021 when North Carolina began using OAT.
Since SOAR was implemented in North Carolina in 2008, over 4,000 SOAR applications have been completed. Of these, nearly 3,000 were approved, making North Carolina's cumulative approval rating for SSI/SSDI approximately 75%.
SOAR National also collects and reports on national outcomes each fiscal year (July 1-June 30). Since 2020, North Carolina has been a "Top Ten" SOAR state. SOAR National's “Top Ten” criteria requires that states have at least 300 cumulative decisions, approval rates at or above the national average each year, and at least 24 decisions each year (2 per month). In 2022, the average cumulative approval rate for the "Top Ten" states was 81 percent!
Reports are cumulative and are based on Outcome Reports received since January 1, 2008. Old reports stopped being updated in July 2021 when North Carolina began using the SOAR National outcome database known as OAT. Counties that have submitted cases in OAT have an additional report displayed.
SOAR offers the Online Application Tracking (OAT) program free of charge. Using OAT will help you:
- Keep track of all SOAR-assisted applications in one, easy-to-use system.
- Record decisions on initial applications, reconsiderations, and ALJ hearings.
- Summarize outcomes in reports for use in sustainability efforts.
All data is located on a secure server and no personally identifiable information is collected. It takes 5 minutes or less to enter information on each application and the program is free to use!
Have you completed a SOAR disability application or are you in the process of doing so? Let us know!
- If you are SOAR trained and need to register for OAT, click here
- If you are already registered, submit your outcomes here
If you have any questions about OAT, contact soaroat@prainc.com.