BENEFITS COUNSELING AND ADVOCACY

Provides information, representation, and advocacy assistance related to Social Security, IHSS and medical benefits. Includes consultation on making the transition from benefits to employment.

  • SSI - Supplemental Security Income around $805 monthly.
  • SSDI - Social Security Disability Insurance is just about the same amount as the projected Social Security benefits starting at age 65.
  • IHSS - In-Home Supportive Services are $8.10 per hour for a maximum of 283 hours monthly.
  • Medi-Cal insurance health coverage.
  • GR - General Relief is $221 monthly.
  • Food stamps are around $140 monthly.

Success at WCIL comes in many forms. Government benefits can make an enormous difference between a scary struggle to get by and the security of a small but steady monthly benefit.

Alicia, 54, has a seizure disorder, which she has minimized over the years, having trained herself to always focus on the positive. As a consequence, when she sought government benefits, SSI and SSDI, they were denied based on her own over-estimation of her abilities. She wanted to know if I could help her.

WCIL filed an appeal of her denial and represented her at the Administrative Law Judge Hearing. In preparing for the hearing, WCIL Staff asked her brother and sister-in-law to write down their observations of her behavior as third-party evidence. Staff also asked her treating neurologist to respond to a "residual functional capacity" questionnaire, and obtained MRI evidence from St. John's Hospital that documented brain atrophy due to long-term use of anti-seizure medication.

Together that evidence, plus Alicia's own testimony at the Hearing, enabled the Judge to issue a favorable ruling on her disability claim. Alicia now has small monthly benefits through SSI and SSDI and feels secure.

This case highlights the importance of evidence, and shows the importance of clearly documenting not only the existence of a disability, but its effects on a person's daily activities. Many cases are denied simply due to inadequate documentation.