Benefits Advocacy
Contact: Rob Tabor
Benefits Advocate
841-0333 ext. 108
785-841-1046 (TDD)
rtabor@independenceinc.org
Contact: Marilyn Brune
Benefits Advocacy Support Specialist
841-0333 ext. 111
mbrune@independenceinc.org
Our Benefits Advocate assists individuals with disabilities to determine if they may be eligible for various disability benefits, including Social Security.
On a case by case basis, the Benefits Advocate assists with the Social Security application process, and represents people during the Social Security appeal process. We don't provide general legal services that require an attorney, except for helping people appeal eligibility (a denied claim) for social security benefits. No attorney or non-attorney claimant's representative relationship is created until a government form SSA-1696 has been signed by you and Independence, Inc. We will also ask you to agree to pay us a fee of up to 25 percent of past due benefits if we win your claim.
Other information is provided about benefits through the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services such as General Assistance, Food Assistance, Women Infants and Children (WIC) Program, Medicaid, MediKAN, and Vocational Rehabilitation services.
Types of assistance provided:
Information about benefit programs including eligibility requirements for consumer use in determining which benefits they wish to pursue.
Assistance with completion of benefit applications. This includes assistance with filling out forms and providing explanations for consumers who may not understand related paperwork or forms that have been mailed or given to them.
Information and referral services concerning available benefits and resources. This includes information and referrals to other agencies or organizations if a consumer's needs can be better met by those organizations.
Representation of consumers at Social Security Hearings before an Administrative Law Judge. The advocate is trained to act as a lay advocate, or representative for consumers whose SSI or SSDI application has reached the reconsideration or hearing stages (first and second appeals). Together the advocate and consumer work to gather information in an effort to effect a favorable outcome at the Reconsideration level, or gather evidence to develop a case to bring before an Administrative Law Judge at the Hearing level.
We would be glad to answer your questions over the phone or set up an appointment to meet with you in person.
Resources
Kansas Department of Social & Rehabilitation Services (SRS)
Kansas Rehabilitation Services (Vocational Rehabilitation)
http://www.srskansas.org/rehab/
U. S. Social Security Administration
http://ssa.gov
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
http://www.va.gov/ |
