State awards funding for disability assistance legal services

Aug. 11--Tweet

The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance announced Wednesday that it has allocated $8.2 million to provide legal assistance for those who have been denied federal disability benefits.

The funding will be divided up among 11 organizations that provide legal services for lost benefits including Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance. Providing more funding ensures that these nonprofit organizations can provide adequate legal assistance for those seeking appeals.

"Helping those who are eligible receive disability benefits will improve their financial situation while reducing associated costs to the State and local governments," said Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Samuel D. Roberts. "The Disability Advocacy Program is a successful and cost-effective part of our overall efforts to assist disabled New Yorkers."

According to the state, 73 percent of the cases that received legal representation in the state were awarded federal disability benefits from July 2014 to June 2015. Nationally, just 45 percent of cases were successfully appealed.

More than $17.3 million in retroactive federal benefit payments for New York clients were generated during that year.

Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York, Inc, which serves Jefferson, Oswego and Lewis counties, will receive $628,522. Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York, Inc., which serves St. Lawrence County, will receive $619,023.

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