Disability Benefits (SSI/SSDI)

Disability should not result in homelessness, and yet a disproportionate number of people experiencing homelessness suffer from chronic conditions like mental illness. HAP is committed to making sure that every disabled person experiencing homelessness in Philadelphia is awarded the benefits they need and deserve. 

Related Services

SOAR (SSI/SSDI)

HAP’s SOAR Project remains a proven, efficient path toward SSI and Social Security Disability Benefits for individuals whose disabling condition is due to mental health challenges. If you are experiencing homelessness, unable to maintain employment, and are engaged in ongoing outpatient mental health treatment, we may be able to help.

Get Help

  • Do you have a case manager or counselor to support you throughout the process? It would be best for them to refer you directly to our SOAR Project Director. Have them complete this referral form and email it to Patrick at [email protected].
  • If you don’t have a case manager or other support, you can call us at 215-523-9595 or visit one of our upcoming legal clinics.

NOTE: Our SOAR Project is for initial claims only. If you need help with an appeal, or if you already started the disability application process with Social Security, we likely won’t be able to include you in our SOAR Project, but feel free to contact us for advice on how best to proceed. Additionally, click here for some guidance on navigating the application process on your own.

SOAR for Children

If you are an older youth aging out of DHS care, and can’t work due to your condition, we can help you apply for the SSI benefits you need. We also assist parents with disabilities seeking reunification with children in foster care, and children receiving services for mental health, physical, or learning problems.

Get Help

  • Are you an older youth aging out of care, or a parent seeking reunification with children in foster care?  DHS/CUA/RSS workers and other service providers can complete the DHS SOAR referral form or contact Laura at [email protected].   
  • Parents looking for help with children’s disability claims can call Laura at 215-523-9597 or visit an upcoming clinic.

Maintaining SSI/SSDI Benefits

In addition to assistance with initial applications, HAP provides legal advice and representation to people experiencing issues with their ongoing SSI or SSDI benefits, including overpayments, deductions, reporting changes to SSA, and Continuing Disability Reviews.

Get Help

  • If you have an issue with your benefits, call us at 215-523-9595 or visit one of our upcoming legal clinics to discuss your issues with a paralegal or lawyer.
  • Click here for our informational flyer: Rules of Thumb to Keep Your Check.

Related Additional Resources

SSI/SSDI

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