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Legal Advocacy for the Disabled

The Legal Advocacy for the Disabled [LAD] Unit of the Erie County Department of Social Services is dedicated solely to assisting low-income persons with the Social Security Administration’s Disability application process.

  • LAD receives referrals from within the Department of Social Services and from community agencies.
  • Persons referred to LAD have their cases assigned to a paralegal for investigation by the directing attorney.
  • Paralegals schedule and conduct detailed interviews to determine if an application for SSI and/or SSD is appropriate.
  • If a case is opened, the paralegal works in conjunction with the applicant and the Social Security Administration, assisting at all steps of the application and appeals processes.

LAD re-reviews all submitted applications at every level of the decision making process in order to determine the merits of the claim for future appeals. 

Contact LAD - Community Agency Referrals

Legal Advocacy For the Disabled

95 Franklin St. - 11th Floor, room 1130

Buffalo, New York 14202

[716] 858-2270

Hours of Operation: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.  [Monday - Friday]

Questions can be addressed by emailing the unit at LAD@erie.gov

Community Agency Request For Referral Link

You can get additional information regarding disability at www.ssa.gov

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