Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #110545

Deborah Barr, MPH; JD, O'Malley and Langan, PC, 213 Main St., Towanda, PA 18848, (570)265-5800, db1829@epix.net

Denial of public health benefits due to improper financial and medical determination during the administrative application and hearing process is an all too frequent occurrence for lower income and poverty level women. In most instances they lack access to legal advise and/or representation at both the Federal and state level during critical stages of the administrative process. The potentially cascading impact improperly denied Federal Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income benefits can have upon an indigent women and/or her family will be examined. The relationship of wrongfully denied state benefits as an obstacle in obtaining Social Security Benefits and subsequent medicare eligibility will be explored. The relationship that an improper disability determination and/or denial of benefits can have in income maintenance access; food stamp eligibility; the right to participate in other programs contingent upon a determination of disability ; and, its often devastating impact upon indigent women will be discussed.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of this session the participant will have an awareness of the obstacles poverty level women face in obtaining public entitlement benefits pro se and the cascading negative impact it can have on their health.

Keywords: Poverty, Women's Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.