PWDF News

Advocacy Update

PWDF continues to hold a monthly Legal Clinic for Social Security beneficiaries (SSDI & SSI) with post-entitlement / eligibility issues. The clinic is usually held on the fourth Thursday of each month.  The next two clinics will be held on August 27 and September 24, 2015 from 10:00-12:00. Attorneys will be available to answer a wide range of client questions, from work reviews and SSI continuing eligibility reviews including earned and unearned income and resource limits to the effect of marriage on claimant benefits. Please call us at (415) 931-3070 to make an appointment.

In June 2015, PWDF filed a complaint against the Social Security Administration (SSA), commencing a lawsuit against SSA in federal district court. PWDF’s filing of this lawsuit is in response to SSA’s withholding of attorney fees owed to PWDF.  SSA repeatedly refuses to pay PWDF fees approved by the Commissioner, insisting such fees must be paid to individual staff attorneys employed at PWDF. The SSA’s position violates its obligations under the Social Security Act, as amended by the Omnibus Reconciliation Act (OBRA) 1990, and is inconsistent with IRS rules related to 501(c)(3) corporations.  Specifically, IRS Revenue Procedures state:  “Attorney fees must be paid to the organization not to individual staff attorneys.  Staff attorneys and employees must be compensated by a straight salary that does not exceed reasonable amounts and is not established in connection with case fees received for cases handled.”  (Rev. Proc. 92-59, 1992-2 C.B. 411.)

PWDF Advocacy Outreach: PWDF staff continue to attend various outreach events to forge community connections and advertise PWDF’s services.  The most recent outreach events we attended are listed below:

1. On March 11, 2015, PWDF attended the 58^th Project Homeless Connect (PHC) at the San Francisco Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. PHC enables nonprofit medical, social service, and other providers to serve homeless San Franciscans with comprehensive services.

2. On March 14, 2015, PWDF attended the Alameda County Transition Faire.  The Alameda County Transition Faire is a resource faire and educational workshop event aimed at connecting individuals with developmental disabilities and their support networks with local service providers.

3. On March 21, 2015, PWDF attended the Support for Families of Children with Disabilities 2015 Information and Resource Conference in San Francisco.

4. On July 23, 2015, PWDF attended PHC’s “Provider Connect: Care After Incarceration” panel discussion in San Francisco. PHC is a learning series where providers, community members, and advocates can share best practices about homeless services in San Francisco. Provider Connect events spark open dialogue in a collaborative environment.

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.