PWDF News: Program Updates

PWDF has continued to hold a monthly Legal Clinic for Social Security beneficiaries (SSDI & SSI) with post-entitlement / eligibility issues. The clinic is being held the fourth Thursday of every month. The issues have ranged from questions about being over the resource limit from both earned and unearned income to requests for advice regarding the effect marriage would have on a claimant’s benefits. The next clinics are scheduled for Thursday, April 24, May 22 and June 26 from 10 AM to Noon. Please call us at 415-931-3070 to let us know you are coming and/or to make an appointment.

In recent months, PWDF's education program has been active with several workshops and events for consumers in San Francisco. PWDF held SSI and SSDI work incentive program workshops at Hyde Street Community Services and at the NAMI San Francisco monthly general meeting. A number of consumers and family members attended the events to receive information concerning SSI and SSDI work review regulations for beneficiaries with mental and/or developmental disabilities.

In March, PWDF participated in the San Francisco Mental Health Association's Center for Dignity, Recovery & Empowerment's Tools For Change Conference, where PWDF Legal Director Steven Bruce and Program Manager for Public Awareness and Education April Banerjee presented a workshop on reasonable accommodations in employment for individuals with psychiatric disabilities.

Members of the PWDF staff also attended Project Homeless Connect (PHC) 53 at the San Francisco Civic Center. PHC enables nonprofit medical, social service, and other providers to serve homeless San Franciscans with comprehensive services.

Our upcoming education activities include a workshop on reasonable accommodations in housing for people with psychiatric and/or developmental disabilities at Support for Families of Children with Disabilities on Tuesday, May 6th. We are also continuing our work developing the Equal Access to Health Care Task Force and Parity in Advocacy.

PWDF is available for speaking arrangements and training sessions regarding reasonable accommodations, employment, housing and other issues regarding the mentally and/or developmentally disabled population.  We have particular expertise in Social Security SSDI and SSI post-entitlement / eligibility issues for beneficiaries with mental and/or developmental disabilities.

PWDF Profile

Who We Are

People With Disabilities Foundation is an operating 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in San Francisco, California, which focuses on the rights of the mentally and developmentally disabled.

Services

Advocacy: PWDF advocates for Social Security claimant's disability benefits in eight Bay Area counties. We also provide services in disability rights, on issues regarding returning to work, and in ADA consultations, including areas of employment, health care, and education, among others. There is representation before all levels of federal court and Administrative Law Judges. No one is declined due to their inability to pay, and we offer a sliding scale for attorney's fees.

Education/Public Awareness: To help eliminate the stigma against people with mental disabilities in society, PWDF's educational program organizes workshops and public seminars, provides guest speakers with backgrounds in mental health, and produces educational materials such as videos.

Continuing Education Provider: State Bar of California MCLE, California Board of Behavioral Sciences Continuing Education, and Commission of Rehabilitation Counselor Certification.