Thus, as many as 16,000 low-income children in Illinois face possible loss of disability benefits. The 1996 Welfare Reform Act substantially changed the way in which disabled children are classified, and now several thousand Illinois children face termination of disability benefits. Nationally, over 1 million children in low-income families are receiving benefits. The SSA may decide to cease paying benefits for up to 16,000 Illinois children. These children have the right to appeal cessation decisions, and thousands will be entitled to have an Administrative Law Judge hold hearings on their cases to determine whether these children are still disabled under the new law.
Children have the right to a legal representative in theses cases.
However, there is no provision in the law to ensure that these children can obtain a legal representative . The ISBA needs you to take the Pro Bono Pledge and join with Todd Smith in committing to accept two cases from the ISBA Pro Bono Center's Children's SSI Project. Please complete the pledge form as soon as possible.