Advocacy Services

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Advocacy Services

Advocacy Services

Independent Management Services offers comprehensive advocacy support to help individuals access critical benefits. This includes assisting with applications for Social Security disability benefits and Continuing Disability Reviews, as well as helping individuals apply for public assistance programs through the Minnesota Department of Human Services, such as cash, food, and health care. Our advocates work closely with clients to ensure they receive all benefits for which they are eligible while awaiting decisions from the Social Security Administration.

Social Security Advocacy services assist children and adults who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and unable to work due to a long-term medical, physical, or mental impairment. These services support individuals in applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), as well as navigating the entire claims process—from initial applications and reconsiderations to hearings and appeals. Assistance is also provided for Continuing Disability Reviews to help maintain benefits.

The SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) program is an initiative developed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). It aims to increase access to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits for eligible individuals who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness and have a serious mental illness, medical impairment, and/or a co-occurring substance use disorder.

SOAR helps people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness—and who have complex health challenges—navigate the often confusing and lengthy Social Security disability application process.

How SOAR is different:

  • Unlike traditional legal advocates or lawyers who may focus mainly on legal representation or appeals, SOAR-trained advocates provide hands-on support throughout the entire application process.
  • SOAR focuses on building a complete, thorough application by gathering detailed medical, mental health, and social history records that clearly show how your disabilities impact your daily life.
  • SOAR advocates work directly with doctors, case managers, and Social Security staff to coordinate medical evaluations and submit comprehensive medical summaries—steps that traditional advocates may not handle as closely.
  • The process is designed to reduce errors, avoid delays, and improve the chances of approval on the first application, which can save months or even years of waiting and appeals.

How the SOAR process works:

  • Initial Screening: A SOAR-trained advocate meets with you to understand your situation and eligibility.
  • Gathering Records: The advocate helps collect medical records, mental health evaluations, treatment histories, and social information from all providers and hospitals you’ve seen.
  • Coordinating Medical Evaluations: If needed, advocates coordinate with your healthcare providers to ensure up-to-date assessments support your claim.
  • Filling Out Forms: The advocate completes the detailed SSI/SSDI application forms, including a strong medical summary that explains your limitations in everyday activities.
  • Submission & Follow-Up: The application is submitted to Social Security with the advocate serving as your representative, handling all communication and follow-up to avoid delays.
  • Appeals Support: If your application is denied, SOAR advocates help file appeals and represent you through reconsiderations or hearings, increasing the likelihood of a successful outcome.

Because SOAR is a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach, it’s often much more effective and faster than traditional advocacy or legal support alone—especially for people facing homelessness, mental illness, or other complex barriers.

Yes—IMS’s advocacy team includes SOAR-trained case managers. As a SOAR provider, IMS is equipped to support people who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, and dealing with serious mental or physical health challenges.

Independent Management Services provides advocacy to help individuals apply for Minnesota Department of Human Services public assistance programs, including cash assistance, food benefits, and health care coverage. We assist clients in accessing all eligible benefits and provide referrals to other supportive services to address their broader needs throughout the application and decision process.

To qualify for IMS’s Social Security Advocacy program, an individual must meet all of the following criteria:

  • Be between birth and 65 years of age
  • Have a disability that has lasted or is expected to last for 12 months or longer
  • Reside in the state of Minnesota
  • Be currently homeless or at risk of becoming homeless

Homelessness is defined as:

  • Lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. This means an individual is:
    • Living in an emergency shelter
    • Couch hoping (sleeping on friends couches)
    • Living outside (in tent, fish house, under a bridge, in a park, etc.)
    • Doubled up (temporally living with another individual or family unit and not listed on the lease)
    • Living in transitional housing
    • Places not meant for habitation (stairwells, abandoned buildings or houses, etc.)
  • Not having a lease or ownership interest in a housing unit and lacking the resources or support networks to obtain other permanent housing.
  • Are fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence, has no other residence, and lacks the resources or support networks to obtain other permanent housing.
  • Unaccompanied youth under twenty five (25) years of age, or families with children and youth who qualify as homeless under other Federal statutes, such as the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act.

At risk for homelessness is defined as:

  • Being behind in rent or utilities.
  • Have an eviction notice or mortgage foreclosure notice.
  • Reside in a boarding house or halfway house.
  • Exiting a publicly funded institution or system of care such as:
    • Foster care
    • A mental health facility
    • Correctional institution
    • OR receive supportive services in order to maintain their housing.
  • Receiving state or federal public assistance benefits such as:
    • General Assistance (GA) or Tribal General Assistance
    • Housing Support (formally known as GRH)
    • Medical Assistance (MA) including Housing Stabilization Services
    • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
    • Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP)
    • Foster Care (Title IV-E)
    • Diversionary Work Program (DWP)
    • Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA)
  • Does not have sufficient resources or support networks immediately available to prevent them from moving to an emergency shelter or place not meant for habitation.
  • Currently on a coordinated entry list or housing registry.
  • Currently a recipient of a housing subsidy program including but not limited to the following:
    • Public housing
    • Housing Support
    • Section 8 Housing or Housing Choice Voucher
    • Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) Voucher
    • Moving Home Minnesota demonstration services, also known as Money
      Follows the Person (MFP)
    • Minnesota’s Long-term Homeless Supportive Services
    • Bridges Rental Assistance Program
    • Family Unification Program (FUP) Voucher
    • Section 811 or other Project-based Rental Assistance Program

In Minnesota, Social Security advocates are available to assist children and adults (birth–65) who have a disability lasting—or expected to last—12 months or more, live in Minnesota, and are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Please see above table titled “Eligibity” for additional details.

Social Security advocates provide free support to help individuals apply for or maintain disability benefits. Services include:

  • Answering your questions about the application or appeal process.
  • Completing an initial screening and intake.
  • Acting as your Authorized Representative with the Social Security Administration (SSA).
  • Helping you fill out and submit required forms.
  • Communicating with SSA on your behalf.
  • Filing appeals if your application is denied.
  • Representing you at SSA hearings.
  • Assisting with Continuing Disability Reviews.
  • Representing you at the Appeals Council, if needed.
  • Coordinating with your mental and physical health providers to gather records and support evaluations needed for your case.
  • Submitting referrals for therapy, case management, skills training, and other supportive services that may strengthen your application or address barriers to stability.

In addition, advocates will refer and assist you in applying for all eligible Minnesota public assistance programs—including cash, food, and health care benefits—while you apply for Social Security disability or wait for a decision.

No, these are two separate processes. Being certified disabled by the State Medical Review Team (SMRT) does not guarantee that the Social Security Administration (SSA) will also find you disabled. You still need to apply for benefits directly with the SSA and receive their independent determination. However, the SMRT certification can be a helpful tool in supporting your SSA application.

Unfortunately, at this time we cannot assit individuals in applying for retirement benefits. Please reach out to your local Social Security office for assistance.

For SSI (Supplemental Security Income):

  • Disability: You must have a medical, mental health, or developmental condition that seriously limits your ability to work and is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.

  • Income & Resources: SSI is needs-based, so you must have limited income and very few assets (generally under $2,000 for an individual, or $3,000 for a couple—not including your home or one vehicle).

  • Work History: You do not need a work history to qualify for SSI.

For SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance):

  • Disability: Same medical requirements as SSI—your condition must prevent you from working and be long-term.

  • Work History: You must have worked and paid into Social Security through payroll taxes long enough to earn work credits. Most people need 20 credits (about 5 years of work in the last 10 years), though younger applicants may qualify with fewer credits.

  • Income & Resources: SSDI is not income-based, so you can have savings and assets. However, you generally cannot earn more than $1,550/month (2024) in work income when applying, or $2,590/month if you’re blind.

Many people apply for both SSI and SSDI at the same time (called a “concurrent claim”). An advocate can help figure out which programs you qualify for and help you through the application process.

If your application for Social Security disability benefits is denied, don’t worry— you have the right to appeal the decision, and there are several steps you can take:

  • Reconsideration: You can ask for your case to be reviewed again. During this stage, a different SSA reviewer looks over your application and any new evidence you provide.
  • Hearing by an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ): If reconsideration is denied, you can request a hearing where you (or your representative) can present your case in person. This is often the most important step in the appeal process.
  • Appeals Council: If you disagree with the ALJ’s decision, you can ask the Appeals Council to review your case.
  • Federal Court: If the Appeals Council denies your case or you disagree with their decision, you can take your case to federal court. IMS does not provide legal representation for federal court and recommends hiring an attorney at this stage.

Throughout this process, an SSA advocate can help you understand your options, gather necessary medical and work records, complete paperwork, and represent you at hearings and appeals.

 

The time it takes to complete an appeal depends on the type of appeal and the stage your case is in:

  • Reconsideration (appealing an initial denial): This usually takes about 3 to 5 months
  • Hearing by an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ): If your reconsideration is denied, you can request a hearing, which typically takes 12 to 18 months or longer depending on backlogs.
  • Appeals Council Review: If you disagree with the ALJ’s decision, you can ask the Appeals Council to review your case, which can take several months or more.
  • Federal Court Review: If the Appeals Council denies your request or you disagree with their decision, you may file a lawsuit in federal court. IMS does not provide representation for federal court appeals, and we recommend hiring legal counsel for this step.

Appeal times vary widely depending on case complexity and SSA workload. Advocates can help track your case and guide you through each step.

How do I get started?

If you’d like to refer yourself or another indvidual to our advocacy program please complete the forms  at the bottom of this page. Completed forms can be emailed to our intake coordinator at info@imsofmn.com or faxed to 507-437-0977

While you don’t need to bring anything to your first meeting, it’s helpful to have the following information and documents ready if possible:

Work History (last 15 years)

  • Employer names
  • Employment dates
  • Salary information
  • Job duties/responsibilities

Medical History (at least last 2 years)

  • Medical records including lab tests, psychological exams, and doctors’ notes
  • List of places you’ve received care (medical clinics, emergency rooms, mental health providers, chemical dependency treatment, jail, etc.)

Education History

  • Copies of any IEP, ER, or 504 plans

Identification

  • Social Security card
  • Driver’s License

Income Verification

  • Earned Income – payroll stubs, or if self–employed, a tax return for the last tax year
  • unearned Income – any records you have (for example, award letters, bank statements, court orders, receipts) showing how much you receive, how often, and the source of the payment

Household Information

  • Names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and income information for all household members

Assets and Resources

  • Bank statements for all checking and savings accounts
  • Property deeds or tax appraisal statements for any property you own (besides your primary residence)
  • Life or disability insurance policies
  • Burial contracts or burial plot information
  • Certificates of deposit, stocks, mutual funds, or bonds
  • Vehicle titles or registrations for cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, campers, etc.

This list is a great starting point, but you may be asked for additional information depending on your specific situation.

Use this form as a guide to help you gather information for your first appointment. Not everything listed may apply to you—it’s just a helpful tool to keep track of what you have and what you might still need.

Appointment Checklist

Meet The Team

Meet the team

Tessa Bucknell, BA

AMH Treatment Director, SOAR Case Manager

Elizabeth Johanns, BS

SSA Supervisor, SOAR Case Manager

Referrals

If you’d like to refer yourself or another indvidual to our advocacy program please complete the forms below. Completed forms can be emailed to our intake coordinator at info@imsofmn.com or faxed to 507-437-0977

IMS ROI
Referral Packet