Dwayne
“LSGMI helped me qualify for much-needed disability benefits.”
Dwayne, a victim of HIV, suffered a stroke and was left paralyzed on one side of his body. His application for disability benefits was denied because the Administrative Law Judge decided Dwayne was fit to return to work as a grave digger. Dwayne’s LSGMI lawyer filed an appeal and was successful. The case was sent back for a new hearing where Dwayne proved that he is disabled and can no longer work.
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FAMILIES & CHILDREN
EXAMPLES OF CASES WE HANDLE INCLUDE:
- Special education cases for public school students with disabilities
- Uncontested Relative custody (Monroe County only)
- Assist youth leaving foster care resolve civil legal problems
- Dissolution of marriage cases for people with children in their custody (Monroe County only)
- Permanent injunctions for domestic violence victims (Monroe County only)
PROJECTS
Children’s Advocacy Project
Children's Legal Medical Clinic
Connect Familias Little Havana Community Partnership Legal Project
Foster Youth Legal Services Collaboration
Children’s Advocacy Project
Many children require legal advocacy to resolve problems associated with both receipt of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits and special education so that they can achieve their full developmental potential and have the opportunity to experience a successful and productive adulthood. The Children's Advocacy Project ensures that children who are struggling in school receive the educational services and accommodations necessary to make academic progress, and that they obtain SSI disability benefits.
The Project’s Special Education Initiative represents children and their parents before the Miami Dade County and Monroe County Public schools to 1) request formal evaluations of the child, 2) establish the child's eligibility for Exceptional Student Education (ESE), 3) create Individualized Education Plans with appropriate services and accommodations, and 4) appeal School District decisions to deny ESE services and accommodations. The Special Education Initiative also appeals inappropriate disciplinary actions such as suspensions and expulsions for children who have already been determined eligible for the ESE program. This Project Initiative is funded in part by the Florida Bar Foundation and Shook Hardy and Bacon, LLP.
This Project Initiative is funded in part by the Florida Bar Foundation and Shook Hardy and Bacon, LLP.
The Project’s SSI Initiative represents disabled children in administrative law proceedings to obtain SSI disability benefits. Legal representation is critical because, with the assistance of an attorney, almost 90% of the benefit denials are reversed at the administrative hearing level, obtaining much needed income and Medicaid for disabled children.
This Project Initiative is funded in part by the Florida Bar Foundation and McDermott Will & Emery, LLP.
Click here for for a flier on Childrens Disability
Children's Legal Medical Clinic
Children living in poverty face unique barriers to health and development due to legal problems that fall outside the influence of even the most advocacy-minded doctor. Unmet legal needs, in areas including housing, public benefits and special education, jeopardize a child's health. Through the Children's Legal Medical Clinic LSGMI partners with children's health care providers who refer their patients for legal assessment and advocacy when a non-medical obstacle is impairing the overall health of a child.
The Children's Legal Medical Clinic is an Equal Justice Works Project funded in part by the Florida Bar Foundation and Greenberg Traurig, LLP.
Connect Familias Little Havana Community Partnership Legal Project
The Little Havana Community Partnership Legal Project offers free legal services to low income families within the Little Havana area. The Project seeks to affirm the premise that children do better when their families are strong, and families do better when they live in places that help them succeed as parents and productive citizens.
This Project is funded in part by The Little Havana Community Partnership.
Click here for a flier on the Little Havana Community Partnership
For more information about Connect Familias visit their website at www.lhcponline.org
Foster Youth Legal Services Collaboration
In collaboration with other legal providers, The Foster Youth Legal Services Collaboration assists young people in Miami-Dade County who are aging out of the foster care system with civil legal issues ranging from landlord tenant problems and public benefits to immigration matters and family law. The Project’s goal is to provide assistance and stability to a vulnerable population that often lacks knowledge and resources.
This Project is funded in part by The Florida Bar Foundation.
There are many ways to support LSGMI’s work. You can make a donation online or call our office at 305-438-2501 to learn more about other ways to support Equal Justice in South Florida.
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