E-Newsletter

Vol. 49 – Summer 2023: PWDF Files Two Disability Discrimination and Abuse Complaints in Federal Court; Understanding California’s CARE Act; PWDF Updates

Counsel’s Corner: PWDF Files Two Disability Discrimination and Abuse Complaints in Federal Court Against the Social Security Administration (SSA) for Systemic and Intentional Conduct

In the Spotlight: Understanding California’s CARE Act

PWDF Updates

Advocacy: We filed two new discrimination cases against the Social Security Administration (SSA) in federal court for reasonable accommodations for clients who have schizophrenia. One was forced to wait two years for his first Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefit check and another with the same disability who, notwithstanding her acute schizophrenia, tried to work as a school crossing guard and at CVS where she needed a lot of help working the register or trying to stock shelves. The SSA yanked her benefit checks, eventually reinstating her but without the retroactive 12-months of benefits. The administrative law judge (ALJ) only waived the alleged overpayment but refused to rule on the cessation of benefits, which never should have been done given her symptomatology, which includes disorganized thinking, visual, auditory and olfactory hallucinations, etc. The SSA told a federal judge that they are not subject to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, notwithstanding that the Supreme Court says otherwise. See Lane v. Peña, 518 U.S. 187 (1996). 

We are seeking to hire two disability lawyers; see our Careers page for more information.

Education/Public Awareness: Our next 3-hour seminar is still on hold since the pandemic due to short staffing. The planned topic is Older Adults with Psychiatric and/or Developmental Disabilities. More information to be announced in a future e-newsletter.