Shantè

“LSGMI helped my family keep our home.”

Shantè received a letter advising that she was in default on her mortgage and her home would be foreclosed if she did not pay her delinquent account. Perplexed, she turned to LSGMI for help. Her LSGMI attorney established that Shantè had, in fact, overpaid her mortgage. The lender agreed to reimburse Shantè for the overpayment, and she is now in good standing with her lender and her home is safe.

Tonya

“LSGMI helped me start a new life.”

Tonya was awarded Supplemental Security Income disability benefits after she was shot in the head by a stray bullet, which diminished her cognitive functioning and left her unable to work. Tonya’s benefits were suspended when she was incarcerated. Her LSGMI attorney arranged for Tonya’s benefits to be reinstated upon her release, ensuring that she would have income to help her start a new life. Her attorney also created a self-help packet to be used by other women with similar problems.

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.

Jose

“LSGMI helped me keep my disability benefits.”

Jose, a homeless man, received SSI disability benefits because he suffers from throat cancer and other ailments. His benefits were terminated due to an outstanding warrant in North Carolina from many years ago when he stole $15 worth of meat from a store. Considered a “fleeing felon,” Jose could not receive SSI benefits until the warrant was vacated. LSGMI helped Jose resolve his outstanding warrant, and he now continues to receive SSI benefits.

Karl

“LSGMI helped me get the medical treatment I need.”

Nine year-old Karl’s application for SSI disability benefits was denied. An Administrative Law Judge upheld the denial because Karl’s mother did not get him consistent medical treatment. An LSGMI attorney successfully appealed the case, arguing that Karl’s mother had provided adequate medical treatment considering her financial circumstances. The case was remanded and Karl won his case at the second hearing. He was awarded retroactive benefits totaling $38,364 and now receives the maximum benefits and Medicaid.

Dave

“LSGMI helped get me the education I deserve.”

When Dave, a second-grader who suffers from autism, moved to South Florida, his autism made the transition more challenging than usual. At his previous school, Dave had an Individualized Education Plan that was designed to meet his special needs. His parents’ request for a similar IEP at his new school was unsuccessful. After their attempts to work with the school failed, Dave’s parents came to LSGMI for help. Dave’s LSGMI attorney helped create an IEP that advanced Dave’s reading level and assimilated him into regular classes – an essential objective for Dave and his parents.

Martha

“LSGMI helped me resolve my IRS tax problem.”

Martha, a 54 year-old former nurse's assistant, filed her income tax return using a tax preparer. She received a large refund because, unknown to her, the tax preparer made false claims for credits to which she was not entitled. When she was audited, Martha was assessed with a tax debt plus interest and penalties of almost $4,000. Martha came to LSGMI for help when the IRS tried to garnish her wages to pay the debt. This was not a viable option for Martha, who earns less than $1,000 per month, and has three small children and a disabled adult son. LSGMI reduced her debt to only $150.

The residents of Villa Jardin

“LSGMI helped create affordable homes for us.”

LSGMI provided extensive legal assistance to help the Little Haiti Housing Association (LHHA) rehabilitate a run-down, 14-unit apartment building. LHHA turned it into “Villa Jardin” with units affordable to low-income buyers through subsidized purchase loans. LHHA will provide free management services to the homeowners association for many years, allowing the residents to enjoy new affordable housing.

Mayra

“LSGMI helped me get Medicaid benefits.”

When Mayra, a school teacher, was diagnosed with cancer, she was no longer able to work. She was awarded SSI disability and Medicaid benefits, and received extensive medical treatment for her condition. When her medical providers’ attempts to bill Medicaid were denied, Mayra was left with more than $37,000 in unpaid medical bills. With the help of an LSGMI lawyer, Medicaid agreed to pay Mayra’s bills and the burden of these medical expenses was lifted.

Edith

“LSGMI helped me get a new home.”

Edith, an elderly widow living with four grandchildren, hired a contractor to make significant home repairs to her residence of over 30 years. The work was paid for with a high-interest mortgage on the property. The contractor received $30,000 from Edith but left before the work was completed. As a result, the City found that the house was unsafe. LSGMI worked with various City agencies to have the home torn down and replaced at no cost to Edith.

Conchita

“LSGMI helped me become a U.S. citizen.”

Conchita, a 78 year-old woman with dementia, applied for naturalization. She submitted a medical waiver form from her doctor documenting that she could not take the citizenship exam in English because of her medical condition. When her waiver request was denied, she came to LSGMI for help. Working closely with her LSGMI attorney, she was found to be exempt from the exam and is now a naturalized US citizen.

Camile

“LSGMI helped me get unemployment benefits.”

Camile’s application for unemployment compensation benefits was denied because she allegedly engaged in misconduct. Her LSGMI attorney helped her file an appeal. At the hearing, it was established that Camile fought with her supervisor only after the supervisor had struck her. The hearing officer found that Camile’s actions did not constitute misconduct because she was provoked, and she was awarded $4,300 in benefits.

Helene

“LSGMI helped me get my home back.”

A victim of Hurricane Wilma, Helene’s condo was flooded and the daycare where she worked was shut down. Helene was forced to rent a new apartment and find a new job. With decreased income, she had to pay for both her mortgage and rent, yet FEMA granted her only $810. After attending a disaster training seminar hosted by Legal Services of the Florida Keys, Helene learned she could fight back. With help from an LSFK attorney, she was granted $12,790. Fifteen months after the hurricane, Helene moved back into her home.