HIV Spotlight

6 May 10	SBLS Successfully Challenges City's Recovery of Retroactive SSI Benefits In the case of Nesby v. Hansell, 894 N.Y.S.2d 377 (1st Dep’t 2010), SBLS challenged the NYC Human Resources Administration’s recovery of our client’s retroactive SSI for benefits that appeared to have been paid using federal Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS (HOPWA) funding. Although HRA is only permitted to recover interim assistance paid exclusively with state and/or local funds, our client lost his fair hearing despite the City’s failure to establish that his scatter site housing had not been funded by HOPWA. The Appellate Division, 1st Department reversed the Decision after Fair Hearing, finding it was not supported by substantial evidence, and ordered HRA to refund $5,681.20 to our client. This case is relevant not only to individuals housed in HOPWA-funded scatter site housing but to recipients of other federally funded housing subsidies, such as Advantage NY. The case was handled by Cathy Bowman, Director of the HIV Unit at South Brooklyn Legal Services (HIV)
8 February 10	Free Legal Trainings for HIV Advocates - 2010 These trainings are designed for case managers, social workers, legal advocates, and other social services providers working with low income, HIV-infected clients. Trainings will be held at South Brooklyn Legal Services, 105 Court Street, Brooklyn, NY, Room 405. Thursday, January 28, 2010 Public Assistance and HASA 10:00 – 12:00 Thursday, February 4, 2010 SSI and Social Security Disability 10:00 – 12:00 Tuesday, February 9, 2010 HIV Confidentiality 10:00 – 11:30 Thursday, February 18, 2010 HIV Confidentiality (This class is a repeat of the 2/9 class) 10:00 – 11:30 __________________________________________________ The following classes are FULL and no longer available for registration: Thursday, February 11 Public Assistance and HASA Thursday, February 25 Advanced Public Assistance/HASA Budgeting Thursday, March 4 How To Be An Effective Advocate For Your Client Thursday, March 18 How To Be An Effective Advocate For Your Client No additional registrations will be accepted for these classes. Please download the fillable form below and email it to Florence Montijo. You may also print the form and fax it to Florence Montijo at (718) 855-4189. Registration will be filled in the order that requests are received. You will be notified if we are unable to accommodate your request to attend. Trainings are free for HIV service providers. All trainings to be held at South Brooklyn Legal Services, 105 Court Street, Brooklyn, NY, Room 405. Free Legal Training for HIV Advocates Registration Form.pdf (96.97KB) (HIV)
29 December 09	Woman Wins $10,000 After HIV Status Revealed SBLS attorneys in the HIV Unit recently settled a case against the Social Security Administration for $10,000 after an SSA employee revealed our client’s HIV status to her mother over the telephone. The client, who had not shared her HIV status with any family or friends, was devastated by the disclosure. SBLS brought a claim under the Privacy Act in the Eastern District. In addition to vindicating the breach of the woman’s privacy and the emotional damage caused by the disclosure, the case has made a difference for all claimants at the SSA. After the case was filed, the SSA issued an extensive reminder to staff regarding the requirements of the Privacy Act. In conjunction with the settlement, the SSA is also issuing a reminder to staff regarding protocols for handling breaches of claimants’ private information. (HIV)

6 May 10

SBLS Successfully Challenges City's Recovery of Retroactive SSI Benefits

In the case of Nesby v. Hansell, 894 N.Y.S.2d 377 (1st Dep’t 2010), SBLS challenged the NYC Human Resources Administration’s recovery of our client’s retroactive SSI for benefits that appeared to have been paid using federal Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS (HOPWA) funding. Although HRA is only permitted to recover interim assistance paid exclusively with state and/or local funds, our client lost his fair hearing despite the City’s failure to establish that his scatter site housing had not been funded by HOPWA. The Appellate Division, 1st Department reversed the Decision after Fair Hearing, finding it was not supported by substantial evidence, and ordered HRA to refund $5,681.20 to our client. This case is relevant not only to individuals housed in HOPWA-funded scatter site housing but to recipients of other federally funded housing subsidies, such as Advantage NY.

The case was handled by Cathy Bowman, Director of the HIV Unit at South Brooklyn Legal Services

(HIV)

8 February 10

Free Legal Trainings for HIV Advocates - 2010

These trainings are designed for case managers, social workers, legal advocates, and other social services providers working with low income, HIV-infected clients. Trainings will be held at South Brooklyn Legal Services, 105 Court Street, Brooklyn, NY, Room 405.

Thursday, January 28, 2010
Public Assistance and HASA
10:00 – 12:00

Thursday, February 4, 2010
SSI and Social Security Disability
10:00 – 12:00

Tuesday, February 9, 2010
HIV Confidentiality
10:00 – 11:30

Thursday, February 18, 2010
HIV Confidentiality (This class is a repeat of the 2/9 class)
10:00 – 11:30

__________________________________________________

The following classes are FULL and no longer available for registration:
Thursday, February 11
Public Assistance and HASA

Thursday, February 25
Advanced Public Assistance/HASA Budgeting

Thursday, March 4
How To Be An Effective Advocate For Your Client

Thursday, March 18
How To Be An Effective Advocate For Your Client

No additional registrations will be accepted for these classes.

Please download the fillable form below and email it to Florence Montijo. You may also print the form and fax it to Florence Montijo at (718) 855-4189. Registration will be filled in the order that requests are received. You will be notified if we are unable to accommodate your request to attend. Trainings are free for HIV service providers.

All trainings to be held at South Brooklyn Legal Services, 105 Court Street, Brooklyn, NY, Room 405.

download Free Legal Training for HIV Advocates Registration Form.pdf (96.97KB)

(HIV)

29 December 09

Woman Wins $10,000 After HIV Status Revealed

SBLS attorneys in the HIV Unit recently settled a case against the Social Security Administration for $10,000 after an SSA employee revealed our client’s HIV status to her mother over the telephone. The client, who had not shared her HIV status with any family or friends, was devastated by the disclosure. SBLS brought a claim under the Privacy Act in the Eastern District. In addition to vindicating the breach of the woman’s privacy and the emotional damage caused by the disclosure, the case has made a difference for all claimants at the SSA. After the case was filed, the SSA issued an extensive reminder to staff regarding the requirements of the Privacy Act. In conjunction with the settlement, the SSA is also issuing a reminder to staff regarding protocols for handling breaches of claimants’ private information.

(HIV)