Source: https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/FSupp/792/1376/1882648/
Timestamp: 2019-07-22 12:43:13
Document Index: 541235447

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 404', '§ 404', '§ 405', '§ 405', '§ 1383', '§ 404', '§ 404', '§ 404', '§ 404', '§ 404']

Stieberger v. Sullivan, 792 F. Supp. 1376 (S.D.N.Y. 1992) :: Justia
Stieberger v. Sullivan, 792 F. Supp. 1376 (S.D.N.Y. 1992)
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York - 792 F. Supp. 1376 (S.D.N.Y. 1992)
792 F. Supp. 1376 (1992)
*1377 Jane E. Booth, Director of Litigation, Civ. Appeals & Law Reform Unit, The Legal Aid Society (Matthew Diller, of counsel), Legal Services for the Elderly (David S. Udell, Jonathan A. Weiss, of counsel), Nancy Morawetz, Burt Neuborne, New York City, for plaintiff class.
M.F.Y. Legal Services (Jill Ann Boskey, Wayne G. Hawley, of counsel), New York City, for plaintiffs, Stieberger, Sullivan, Happy and plaintiff class.
O. Peter Sherwood, Corp. Counsel of the City of New York (Neil Corwin, of counsel), New York City, for plaintiff The City of New York.
U.S. Dept. of Justice, Civ. Div., Federal Programs Branch (Brook Hedge, Brian G. Kennedy, Terry M. Henry, of counsel), Office of the General Counsel, U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Donald A. Gonya, Chief Counsel for Social Security, Randolph W. Gaines, Deputy Chief Counsel for Social Security, A. George Lowe, Deputy Chief Counsel for Disability Litigation (Donna J. Fuchsluger, Marlene W. Heiser, Attorneys, Social Sec. Div., of counsel), Washington, D.C., for defendants.
84 Civ. 1302 (LBS)
WHEREAS, on May 29, 1990, the court rendered a decision on plaintiffs' motion for summary judgment and on defendants' *1378 motion for partial summary judgment and cross motion for judgment on the pleadings; and
(c) Office of Disability Determinations ("ODD") The state agency that decides disability claims in the State of New York at the initial and reconsideration levels of administrative review on behalf of SSA pursuant to 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1601 ff; 416.1000 ff.
(g) Date of settlement Date on which this settlement is entered by the Court.
3. SSA shall issue the attached instruction to all decisionmakers and reviewers of decisions (Attachment 1) within ten days of the date of settlement. The instruction shall be binding on all decisionmakers and reviewers of decisions. SSA shall publish the instruction in the Federal Register, the HALLEX, the Manual of Second Circuit *1379 Disability Decisions, described below at subparagraph 4(b), and the Program Operations Manual System ("POMS") and shall include the instruction in all introductory training materials distributed to decisionmakers and reviewers of decisions and all materials provided to administrative law judges who travel to New York to decide disability claims of New York State residents. SSA shall make good faith efforts to publish the instruction within 90 days after the date of settlement.
(f) SSA may remove the instruction in the Manual concerning Schisler v. Sullivan at such time as the instruction is rescinded due to the modification, stay, or vacatur of the order in Schisler v. Sullivan, dated October 25, 1991, 1991 WL 224407, or other event that operates to rescind the instruction. The inclusion of the instruction concerning Schisler does not constitute an admission of any kind by SSA and is without prejudice to any claim, defense, or other contention that SSA may assert or raise in any other action.
(b) Within ten days after the Second Circuit issues the mandate in a case or designates an opinion for publication, whichever is later, SSA will, by teletype or other written means, transmit to decisionmakers *1380 and reviewers of decisions a copy of or instruction pertaining to the Second Circuit disability decision. An instruction will include a summary of the decision together with a directive to follow the decision. Any decision or instruction distributed pursuant to this subparagraph shall be issued for inclusion in the Manual described in subparagraph 4(b).
(e) (1) If any party to an action decided by the Second Circuit seeks further review of the decision, either through a petition for rehearing or certiorari, or at any point when such a petition would be timely, SSA may issue written instructions to decisionmakers and reviewers of decisions not to apply some or all holdings stated in the decision and may rescind any instruction issued under subparagraphs 5(b) and (c) regarding that decision. The time period in which to issue instructions pursuant to subparagraph 5(c) regarding that decision shall be tolled for any period in which an instruction not to apply a Second Circuit holding issued pursuant to this subparagraph is in effect.
(2) In the event that instructions are issued pursuant to subparagraph 5(e) (1) not to apply a holding of a Second Circuit disability decision and neither a petition for rehearing nor a petition for certiorari is granted, then, within ten days from the date the Second Circuit decision is no longer subject to further review through rehearing or certiorari, SSA shall, by teletype or other written instruction, rescind any instructions that were issued pursuant to subparagraph 5(e) (1).
(3) In the event that instructions are issued pursuant to subparagraph 5(e) (1) not to apply a Second Circuit disability decision and a petition for rehearing or certiorari is granted, then within ten days from the date a final decision on the merits is rendered in that case, SSA shall by teletype or other written instruction notify decisionmakers and reviewers of decisions about the court's final decision. If the final decision is a new decision by the Second Circuit on rehearing, the new decision on rehearing shall replace the previous Second Circuit decision to the extent that decision has been superseded by the rehearing decision, and SSA shall modify or rescind any instructions *1381 that were issued pursuant to subparagraph 5(e) (1) accordingly. If the final decision is a Supreme Court decision, then SSA shall rescind any instructions issued pursuant to subparagraph 5(e) (1) for any holding of the Second Circuit to the extent it is not superseded by the Supreme Court's decision, and shall comply with any such holding in accordance with the procedures set forth in this paragraph for Second Circuit disability decisions generally.
7. (a) In making any determination on any claim for benefits by any class member, SSA shall not, except to the extent stated in subparagraph (b), preclude the determination of whether a claimant is or, at any material time, was disabled under the Social Security Act on the ground that the issue had previously been determined *1382 administratively in considering a prior claim for benefits between October 1, 1981, and the date of issuance of Attachment 1.
*1383 (d) A class member shall be considered to have requested reopening if the class member (i) mails a postage prepaid, preaddressed form enclosed with the individual notice, or (ii) makes a written request to any SSA FO or hearing office within the State of New York or to the Appeals Council, or (iii) telephones a request to any SSA FO or hearing office within the State of New York or the Appeals Council, or (iv) makes a request in person at any SSA FO or hearing office within the State of New York.
(1) If SSA determines that a requester does not meet the criteria in paragraph 8 or has not properly requested reopening in accordance with subparagraphs 9(c), (d), and (g), SSA will send a notice of the determination to the requester. The notice will state the reasons for SSA's determination and explain that: (a) the requester will have 60 days from receipt of the notice to notify in writing the Office of the General Counsel ("OGC"), Department of Health and Human Services, Altmeyer Building, Room 600, 6401 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21235, that he or she disagrees with the determination; (b) the requester may request inspection of his or her administrative record upon which the determination was based and, as needed, the relevant claims file; and, (c) the requester will have 45 days to inspect the record at an SSA office mutually agreeable to the parties once the requester is notified that the record is available for inspection. If the requester does not notify OGC in writing that he or she disagrees with the determination within 60 days of receipt of the notice, the determination shall become final and shall not be subject to further review absent a finding of good cause, as defined in 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.911, 416.1411. For purposes of this subparagraph only, SSA district and branch offices will accept on behalf of OGC a requester's written notification *1384 of disagreement with the determination.
10. After a class member described in paragraph 8 requests reopening under paragraph 9 and is determined to meet the criteria in paragraphs 8 and 9, SSA will provide relief as explained in this paragraph. In adjudicating reopened claims, SSA shall require its decisionmakers and reviewers of decisions to apply the holdings in Second Circuit disability decisions in accordance with the provisions set forth in this settlement agreement, including the instruction set forth as Attachment 1. SSA shall require the decisionmakers and reviewers to apply the law in effect on the date on which the new determination on the reopened claim is rendered.
*1385 (a) SSA shall reopen, and review de novo, class member claims, except that no claims shall be reopened pursuant to this settlement for which the denial or termination of benefits was affirmed on the merits by a final decision of a federal court under 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) as of the date of settlement. No claim shall be subject to reopening for which the denial or termination of benefits was overturned as the result of an administrative or judicial appeal.
(b) Class members entitled to reopening under paragraph 8, who have civil actions pending pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g) or § 1383(c) (3) in one of the four United States District Courts situated in New York State or in the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit as of the date of settlement, will be given the option of proceeding with their individual court cases or receiving reopening pursuant to this settlement. SSA shall promptly provide each such class member or the class member's representative in court with a notice (Attachment 3) explaining this option.
(4) If any such class member or his or her representative in court does not receive this notice, the class member shall have the right to have his claim reopened under this settlement, as a pending claim under subparagraph 10(e) (3), even after issuance of an adverse federal court decision.
(2) Within 60 days after these POMS instructions are printed and distributed, SSA shall generate and transfer to the appropriate FOs computer-generated alerts pertaining to the claims of all individuals, up to 10,000, who have requested reopening. Within each 90-day interval thereafter, SSA shall transfer alerts pertaining to all, up to 10,000, remaining individuals who have requested reopenings. SSA shall continue such transfers until alerts pertaining to all individuals who have requested reopenings have been transferred. Nothing in this subparagraph shall preclude SSA *1386 from transferring more than 10,000 alerts within each interval.
(3) As alerts are transferred to the FOs, reopened claims will be integrated into the regular claims determination workload of the New York ODD and will be completed within a reasonable time and with no less priority than such regular claims.
(3) In conducting each reopening of claims that are pending, SSA shall develop the record pursuant to 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1512-.1518, 416.912-.918. For purposes of this subparagraph and subparagraphs 10(e) (4), (7), and (8), a pending claim is one for which judicial or administrative review at any level has been requested or would be timely, but for which a determination or decision at that level has not been rendered as of the date reopening is requested.
(4) In conducting each reopening of claims that are not pending, SSA shall develop the record in accordance with 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1512-.1518, 416.912-.918 for a four-year period preceding the date SSA receives the request for reopening of the claim(s). In computing the four-year period, SSA shall not count any period for which the person (i) received disability benefits, (ii) received retirement benefits, or (iii) has an active claim for disability or retirement benefits. SSA shall also develop the record for the period subsequent to the date SSA receives the request for reopening, unless the person has already demonstrated entitlement to benefits for this period. SSA need not develop the record for any period of time prior to the effective date of the earliest claim subject to reopening or for any period of time for which SSA determines that the individual is disabled without further development.
(5) If SSA determines (at any step of the sequential evaluation process) that the individual is not disabled, or is not entitled to disability benefits because of SGA, for all or any part of the period for which the record is developed under subparagraph 4, SSA will also develop the record for the additional earlier period for which there is in effect an application the determination on which establishes the opportunity for reopening as set forth in paragraph 8, if:
(ii) the individual has a new treating source(s) or no treating source and it is learned that other evidence may be available, *1387 e.g., from former treating source(s) that may attest to more serious impairment.
(ii) Persons found disabled pursuant to development exceptions under subparagraphs 10(e) (5) (i)-(ii) above will be paid for the latest possible entitlement period, of up to 4 years, preceding the first day of the first month beginning on or after the date halfway between April 1, 1991, and the date of settlement. Any such person will also be paid for the period beginning on or after the first day of the first month beginning on or after the date halfway between April 1, 1991, and the date of settlement so long as that person continued to be disabled and otherwise eligible.
(iii) In computing the period for which payment is possible under subparagraphs 10(e) (7) (i) and (ii), SSA shall not count periods for which the person has already been paid disability or retirement benefits or periods for which the person may be eligible for payment under an active claim. In addition, payment need not be made on the basis of any application filed earlier than the application the determination on which establishes the opportunity for reopening as set forth in paragraph 8. Earlier periods of entitlement followed by periods of nonentitlement will be treated as closed periods.
(f) SSA will notify each class member of the outcome of the reopening of his or her claims. SSA notices shall set forth the following information, in addition to the information that is routinely included in such notices: (i) the dates of the periods for which disability was considered; (ii) the dates of the periods for which disability is established; (iii) the dates of the periods for which benefits are being awarded, if any; (iv) the basis for any finding of nondisability or denial of benefits.
*1388 11. SSA shall provide plaintiffs' counsel with the following information about implementation of this settlement:
(a) Beginning 180 days after SSA issues Attachment 1, SSA shall provide plaintiffs' counsel with a statistical report every 120 days on implementation of this settlement. The report shall state the number of individual notices (Attachment 2) mailed; the number of notices returned as undeliverable; the number of requests for reopening by requesters identified pursuant to subparagraph 9(a); the number of other requests for reopening pursuant to paragraph 9; the number of alerts transferred to FOs pursuant to subparagraph 10(d) (2); and the total number of disability claims SSA reopens at the OHA and ODD levels under this settlement subdivided by the number of allowances, denials and dismissals. SSA may cease furnishing plaintiffs' counsel with the reports described in this subparagraph when SSA has completed reopening or otherwise made determinations concerning at least 90 percent of the reopenings requested during a one year period after the last mailing of notices pursuant to subparagraph 9(b). However, if SSA does cease to furnish such reports, SSA shall, upon request by plaintiffs' counsel, provide information that would have been included in such reports.
(iv) In the event that only some portions of proposed instructional materials are objected to, the parties will attempt in good faith to reach a prompt agreement as to whether transmitting to decisionmakers and reviewers of decisions other portions of the instructional materials prior to resolution of the objection will, on balance, advance the effective, prompt, and efficient administration of the settlement agreement. If the parties are unable to reach agreement, the defendants will determine whether transmittal of some or all of the unobjected-to portions of the instructional materials prior to resolution of the objection will, on balance, advance the effective, prompt, and efficient administration of the settlement agreement, and may thereupon transmit such unobjected-to materials. The provisions of subparagraph 11(d) (iii) will cease to apply with respect to those portions of the materials as to which no objection is made and that are transmitted *1389 to agency decisionmakers and reviewers of decisions pursuant to this subparagraph.
(e) SSA shall provide copies of all final materials implementing this settlement or concerning application of Second Circuit disability decisions to plaintiffs' counsel at the time of issuance to decisionmakers or reviewers of decisions, including, but not limited to, all instructions, teletypes, program circulars, training materials, and videotapes. SSA shall provide plaintiffs' counsel with a copy of the final Manual of Second Circuit Disability Decisions at the time that SSA distributes the Manual pursuant to paragraph 4.
14. This agreement resolves all claims made by plaintiffs Theresa Stieberger, Milagros Sullivan, and Patricia Happy against defendants in this action. This agreement resolves all claims of all present and future class members that the Social Security Administration (in making determinations of claims for disability benefits of New York State residents) fails or failed, at any time on or after October 1, 1981, and before the eighth anniversary of the date of settlement, to have a policy, or to have instructed, that holdings in Second Circuit disability decisions should be followed by SSA or ODD personnel when making decisions in subsequent cases involving residents of the states within the circuit. See Stieberger v. Sullivan, 738 F. Supp. 716, 728-30 (S.D.N.Y.1990). This agreement also resolves all claims of all class members prior to the date of settlement challenging (i) any policies or practices for determining which allowance decisions of ALJs would be examined for possible own-motion review or be subject to own-motion review that used as a criterion in such determination either the percentage of cases in which the ALJ rendering such decisions granted benefits or the percentage of cases in which own-motion review of decisions of such ALJ had *1390 been granted; (ii) any policies or practices of random selection of allowance decisions for possible own-motion review; or (iii) any policies or practices determining the percentage of cases to be considered for own-motion review that would be allowance cases. This agreement does not resolve any claim preserved in subparagraphs 5(c) or 5(d) or in paragraphs 12 or 13 of this agreement; any claim that SSA failed or fails properly to comply with the decision of the Second Circuit in Schisler v. Bowen, 851 F.2d 43 (2d Cir.1988); any claim challenging the regulations issued by the Secretary on August 1, 1991, 56 Fed.Reg. 36932-70; any claim heretofore raised in Zebley v. Sullivan, Civ. No. 83-3314 (E.D.Pa.); Hill v. Sullivan, 87 Civ. 4344 (S.D.N.Y.) (LBS); Dixon v. Sullivan, 83 Civ. 7001 (S.D.N.Y.) (WCC); Rios v. Sullivan, Civ. No. 86-2548 (E.D.N.Y.) (Spatt, J); State of New York v. Sullivan, 83 Civ. 5903 (S.D.N.Y.) (RLC); Kendrick v. Sullivan, 90 Civ. 3776 (S.D.N.Y.) (RJW); S.P. v. Sullivan, Civ. No. 90 Civ. 6294 (S.D.N.Y.) (MGC); any claim that SSA has nonacquiesced in Second Circuit decisions that are not Second Circuit disability decisions as defined in subparagraph 1(f) of this agreement; or any claim not raised in this action. The enumeration in the preceding sentence of claims not addressed in this action does not represent or imply agreement by defendants that any such claims would state a claim upon which relief can be granted or would otherwise be valid. Nothing in this agreement shall prevent any class member from pursuing an individual administrative appeal, a request for reopening, or a judicial appeal. Nothing in this agreement shall preclude any class member from arguing in the course of such review that any judicial decision was not applied, or was improperly applied, in his or her individual case.
(c) Any party may seek to modify this settlement by duly noticed motion to the Court (1) if there is an occurrence that undermines a fundamental basis of this settlement (for example, enactment of legislation that renders this settlement inconsistent with law; enactment of legislation that expressly empowers SSA to nonacquiesce in decisions of the courts of appeals in situations that are precluded by this settlement; issuance of a decision of the United States Supreme Court upholding a policy of nonacquiescence by SSA; or alteration of the system of judicial review of denials of disability benefits that fundamentally changes the role of the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in reviewing such denials), or (2) for any other reason that would be appropriate under Fed.Rule Civ. 60(b).
16. This settlement does not constitute an admission by the defendants of any pattern or practice that violates or fails to comply with any law, rule, or regulation dealing with any matter within the scope of the allegations contained in the complaint or otherwise raised by plaintiffs in this action. This settlement does not constitute an admission by the defendants that their position in this litigation was not substantially justified. Nor is this settlement an admission of liability for attorneys fees on the part of the defendants, their agents, or employees. This settlement does not constitute an admission by defendants that the procedure in this agreement for applying the holdings of the Second Circuit to applicable claims of New York residents will result in consistent or errorless agency decisionmaking *1391 and review of decisions or in sound administration of the Social Security Act.
20. This agreement shall remain in effect for a period of eight years beginning on the date of settlement. At the end of this eight-year period the agreement will expire. Such expiration, however, will not affect obligations to take action incurred during the pendency of the agreement, benefits or entitlements to benefits awarded pursuant to the reopenings provided herein, the release and settlement of claims accrued during the eight-year period, or any action or motion to enforce the provisions of the agreement with respect to the eight-year period.
In addition, Ms. Sullivan may request reopening of the June 25, 1979, initial denial determination as provided in 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.987-.989 and 416.1487-.1489. If Ms. Sullivan makes such a request, SSA will determine whether or not a basis exists *1392 for such reopening employing the regulations cited above. If a basis is determined to exist, Ms. Sullivan's June 25, 1979, denial will be reopened.
(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this agreement, the relief provided pursuant to this paragraph is the sole and exclusive relief to be provided to plaintiffs Theresa Stieberger, Milagros Sullivan, and Patricia Happy in this action.
25. Neither this settlement agreement nor any assertion by plaintiffs that instructions were not issued in good faith shall be deemed to constitute a waiver by defendants of either any applicable privileges or any applicable protection of the work-product doctrine with respect to: (i) drafts of the instructions required by paragraph 5; (ii) any recommendations or deliberations concerning whether or how to promulgate any such instruction; (iii) any recommendations or deliberations concerning whether to appeal, seek rehearing, or seek certiorari with respect to the decision or decisions subject to such instructions; (iv) any draft of, or recommendations or deliberations concerning whether or how to issue, any ruling or proposed ruling of acquiescence under 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.985 and 416.1485; (v) any draft of, or recommendations or deliberations concerning whether or how to *1393 issue, any rescission or suspension of a ruling of acquiescence under 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.985 and 416.1485; (vi) any materials prepared in connection with or in anticipation of litigation; or (vii) any predecisional materials concerning individual cases, including but not limited to predecisional notes of Appeals Council Administrative Appeals Judges, administrative law judges, or other decisionmakers, and any communications between any such decisionmakers and persons assigned to assist them in preparation of a decision or opinion in an individual case. The omission of a class of privileged documents from the foregoing list shall not give rise to an inference that defendants have waived any privilege except to the extent (if any) that a privilege is expressly waived by specific provision of this agreement. Nor does the inclusion of any class of documents in this paragraph give rise to an inference that such documents are privileged or that plaintiffs have waived any rights with respect to such documents.
On Behalf of Plaintiffs and the Plaintiff Class
Dated: February 27, 1992 (s) Matthew Diller JANE E. BOOTH, ESQ. Director of Litigation MATTHEW DILLER, of Counsel Civil Appeals & Law Reform Unit The Legal Aid Society Dated: February 27, 1992 (s) David S. Udell DAVID S. UDELL, ESQ. JONATHAN A. WEISS, ESQ. Legal Services for the Elderly Dated: February 28, 1992 (s) Nancy Moravetz NANCY MORAWETZ, ESQ. Dated: Feb. 28, 1992 (s) Burt Neuborne BURT NEUBORNE, ESQ. Attorneys for the Plaintiff Class Dated: March 2, 1992 (s) Jill Ann Boskey JILL ANN BOSKEY, of Counsel WAYNE G. HAWLEY, ESQ. M.F.Y. Legal Services Attorneys for Plaintiffs Theresa Stieberger, Milagros Sullivan, Patricia Happy and the Plaintiff Class Dated: February 28, 1992 O. PETER SHERWOOD, ESQ. Corporation Counsel of the City of New York By: (s) Neil Corwin NEIL CORWIN, ESQ. Assistant Corporation Counsel Attorneys for Plaintiff The City of New York On Behalf of Defendants Dated: February 26, 1992 (s) Brook Hedge BROOK HEDGE Dated: February 26, 1992 (s) Brian J. Kennedy BRIAN G. KENNEDY Dated: February 26, 1992 (s) Terry M. Henry TERRY M. HENRY Attorneys, United States Department of Justice Civil Division Attorneys for Defendants Of Counsel: DONALD A. GONYA Chief Counsel for Social Security RANDOLPH W. GAINES Deputy Chief Counsel for Social Security A. GEORGE LOWE Deputy Chief Counsel for Disability Litigation *1394 DONNA J. FUCHSLUGER MARLENE W. HEISER Attorneys Social Security Division Office of the General Counsel United States Department of Health and Human Services
*1395 While SSA will take the steps described above to help you apply Second Circuit holdings, you must apply the holdings even in the absence of an instruction, and even if they are not included in the Manual.
1. You must apply the holdings in a decision once the decision becomes effective. A decision of the Second Circuit generally becomes effective 20 days after the decision is issued by the Court, unless a specific written instruction is issued that requires the decision to be applied earlier or later. If you have not received instructions about a particular Second Circuit decision issued after the date of this instruction, consult with your supervisor for further guidance about whether the decision has become effective. (If you are an administrative law judge, you may inquire with the Regional Office concerning the status of the decision.)
You should know that we decided your claim without applying all of what the court said about the law in _________. __________ is a recent court ruling that we do not consider final because it may be reviewed further by the courts. If it becomes final, we may contact you again. If you disagree with our decision in your case, do not wait for us to contact you. You should appeal within 60 days of the date you receive this notice. If you do not appeal within 60 days, you may lose benefits.
This instruction is issued pursuant to the settlement agreement in Stieberger v. Sullivan, 738 F. Supp. 716 (S.D.N.Y.). A copy of the complete agreement is available in your office. Any questions about applying Second Circuit decisions that you cannot resolve yourself may be directed to your supervisors and, if more guidance is needed, through supervisory channels to the Litigation Staff in SSA Central Office in Baltimore, Maryland. In addition, a team of SSA personnel will visit the New York *1396 ODD one month after you receive this instruction and quarterly thereafter for 3 years to discuss any questions decisionmakers and reviewers of decisions have about applying Second Circuit disability decisions.
*1397 The Rest of New York State:
The Legal Aid Society of New York Civil Division, Civil Appeals & Law Reform Unit 11 Park Place Room 1805 New York, New York 10007 (212) 406-0745 Legal Services for the Elderly 130 W. 42nd Street 17th Floor New York, New York XXXXX-XXXX (212) 391-0120 MFY Legal Services 35 Avenue A New York, New York 10009 (212) 475-8000
In Stieberger v. Sullivan, 738 F. Supp. 716 (S.D.N.Y.1990), the Court granted relief to a class of New York residents whose Title II or Title XVI disability benefits were denied or terminated. YOU ARE A MEMBER OF THE STIEBERGER CLASS. Since you also have this separate lawsuit pending, you now need to make a choice.
The Legal Aid Society Civil Division, Civil Appeals & Law Reform Unit 11 Park Place Room 1805 New York, New York 10007 (212) 406-0745 Legal Services for the Elderly 130 W. 42nd Street 17th Floor New York, New York XXXXX-XXXX (212) 391-0120 MFY Legal Services 35 Avenue A New York, New York 10009 (212) 475-8000
__________________________ Defendant's Counsel