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Running head: GUIDED IMAGERY AND PROGRESSIVE MUSCLE RELAXATION

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Service & Policy Advocacy

January 2, 2022

Senator Bob Casey

2000 Market

Suite 610 Philadelphia, PA 19103

Dear Senator Casey:

We are writing to you today as social workers providing services to a client in your district. Our concern is resources for homeless individuals to fairly and equitably access the disability insurance application process, and we are asking you to propose and/or sponsor legislation that will create greater equity to this valuable resource.

The clients we are working with include a 23 year old woman who ran away at the age of 16 following years of emotional, physical and sexual abuse. She and her children found support, care, and housing with her now partner of six years and they were doing well; however, just two years ago, her partner was in a horrific car accident that resulted in a leg amputation and permanent paralysis of left arm. Unable to work and afford medical bills, they soon found themselves homeless, and children removed from their care. They are currently living in a tent, unable to find adequate housing due to long waitlists, accessibility needs, and their understandable refusal to part from one another.

Financially, receiving assistance via SSDI would be of significant help. Prior to her disability, the partner worked full-time providing IT support for several companies. She had also launched her own IT business just six months before the accident that changed her life. Since then, they have been working diligently to obtain SSDI benefits; however, living with homelessness and a disability, they have faced significant barriers to access the resources needed for a successful claim (i.e. transportation, costs for medical appointments, consistent computer access, etc.).

Senator Casey, we were impressed by your record of care and advocacy for persons with disabilities. Seeing that you have led 19 policy bills just in 2019 to support persons with disabilities tells us this is an issue that you care deeply about. Therefore, we are asking for your support in proposing legislation that will address the inequalities and barriers in the SSDI application process. We understand that organizations such as AARP and the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities support this as well.

We appreciate hearing from you to learn what steps will be taken to support clients such as the one we referenced above. We are also happy to offer our assistance by way of further communication. We may be reached using any of the contact information listed below. Thank you for your time and attention. It is sincerely appreciated.

Respectfully,

Tameca Harris-Jackson

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References

Chapin,R. K. & Lewis, M. (2020). Social policy for effective practice: A strengths approach (5th ed.). Taylor & Francis.

Department of Labor & Industry. (n.d.). Disability determination. Department of Labor & Industry. Retrieved from: https://www.dli.pa.gov/Individuals/Disability-Services/bdd/Pages/default.aspx

Medical News Today. (n.d.). Seven mistakes to avoid when seeking Social Security Disability benefits. Medical News Today. Retrieved from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/114911#1

Ruffing, K. (2020, August 20). People who seek disability benefits face health, economic challenges. Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Retrieved from: https://www.cbpp.org/blog/people-who-seek-disability-benefits-face-health-economic-challenges

The Injury & Disability Law Center. (n.d.). How long does it take to get approved for SSDI? The Injury & Disability Law Center. Retrieved from: https://www.idlawcenter.com/faqs/how-long-it-can-take-to-get-a-ssdi-application-approved.cfm