Public Benefits
Each year South Coastal Counties Legal Services represents hundreds of clients desperate for financial help because they have lost a job or are no longer able to work due to injury or disease. Advocates at SCCLS can help with Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability (SSDI), unemployment, emergency or transitional assistance, MassHealth and SNAP (Food Stamp) benefits.
Patrick’s Story
Unable to work because of a progressive brain disease, 55-year-old Patrick, with the help of a family member, filed an application for Social Security Disability Benefits. His application had been denied twice by the Social Security Administration over more than two years when he approached SCCLS for help.
After reviewing all of Patrick’s medical records, SCCLS agreed to take his case and represent him at a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. The judge ultimately found Patrick’s disease had prevented him from working for nearly 7 years and awarded significant retroactive benefits along with monthly benefits in the amount of $1500 per month. These benefits were vital to Patrick’s ability to achieve some measure of financial stability.
