Tax Sale Voided

Client originally contacted MCLSC because her mobile home was being sold in a property tax sale due to unpaid taxes. She was denied the right to redeem the property. MCLSC determined that the tax assessor’s office mailed one of her statutorily required notices to the wrong address. Thus, client was deprived of her due process. The tax sale was ultimately found to be void.

Household Income Received

Client, a 51 year old, female, terminated from employment was denied unemployment benefits. MCLSC was successful in getting the denial reversed. She received $240.00 a week and received a lump sum of about $4,700.00.

Homelessness Ended

Client, disabled, homeless, living in a tent, and with no transportation would meet MCLSC attorney at local library, within walking distance of tent, to discuss case. Soon after, client was diagnosed with Lung Cancer and was awarded around $30,000 in Social Security benefits. The Judge decided to have the Social Security Administration paid him retroactive benefits. This allowed client to afford a place to live, transportation and receives adequate medical care.

Home Saved

Client sought assistance in saving her home from foreclosure. She had obtained ownership after death of her parents. Client’s income was about $758 per month and the monthly mortgage was $418. MCLS’ staff assisted client in developing a budget and financial statement, which was submitted to USDA for a loan modification. USDA reinstated the loan, dropped the foreclosure action, and reduced the client’s monthly payment to $238. Client was able to keep her home and is now paying a monthly note that she can afford.

Benefits Refunded

A disabled client who had worked for approximately 16 years was charged with an overpayment in the amount of $32,000. Before coming to MCLS, she applied for and was denied a waiver. After the denial, client appealed and asked for a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), pending the appeal, the Social Security Administration (SSA) started withholding monies from her monthly check to recover the overpayment. At the hearing, the ALJ found the overpayment was not due to any fault of client. SSA was ordered to refund all monies taken from her monthly benefit amount.

Access Enhanced

A 57 year old widow, who is disabled, lived in an apartment complex on the second floor. There was no handicap parking available. MCLS negotiated with complex and had client relocated to a ground floor level apartment and had a handicap parking space designated.

Discrimination in Housing Averted

A mother female who had two bi-racial children received notice that the apartment would not re-new her lease. She believed that she was being treated differently because of race by the apartment manager who sought to evict her. MCLS assisted with her eviction defense and negotiated a new lease and agreement of fair treatment.

Essential Utilities Restored

A mobile home park owner decided to shut off the water to several tenants, including three who were severely disabled because there was a water leak in the water system which serviced the park. MCLS filed suit, obtained an injunction, and had the water turned back on. MCLS also obtained a money judgment for our clients in addition to having the city’s code rewritten.

Support Provided; Disabled Credited

Client needed assistance with a case involving the Department of Human Services and the claim that he owed over $19,000 in back child support. After investigation, the attorney determined that the client, who was disabled, should have been given credit for SSI payments issued to his children on his behalf. As a result, DHS credited the client for SSI payments.

Client Freed From Domestic Abuse

Client was a 23-year-old suffering from mild mental disability, and physical disability by virtue of a cleft palate. During his marriage, he suffered extreme physical and mental abuse from his wife. One savage beating in particular rendered his cleft palate completely torn, requiring surgery to repair the injury. After suffering continuous abuse, the client finally garnered the courage to leave his destructive marriage. The judge granted the divorce which allowed the client to live a peaceful life, free from the nightmare of abuse.

Benefits Obtained; Stable Home Life Secured

Client contacted MCLS for assistance with his claim for disability benefits. The claimant was struck in the head with a golf club when he was 14 years old. Following this, he was placed in special education classes and began having seizures. Consultative examinations diagnosed mild mental retardation, depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder and concluded that the client lacked the ability to perform routine repetitive work related tasks, had difficulty relating complete thoughts, and difficulty finding words to answer questions. At the hearing, the advocate was able to show that the client’s ailments met the listings for disability benefits and that the client had not engaged in substantial work since he filed for disability. The client was awarded full benefits. During the time this matter was pending, the client was having housing problems and spent a lot of his time at a mission home. After receiving his disability benefits, the client was able to find descent and affordable housing and to pay for his needed medication.

Homeownership Secured

MCLS represented client in a land matter where real estate which later became client's homestead was sold via a private real estate transaction. The initial sale included two parcels but client paid for only one parcel. Client agreed to pay the remaining amount due upon the seller signing and delivering the Deed for filing. After numerous requests from client to the seller, the seller failed to sign and file the Deed. Client made numerous repairs to the parcel purchased before she moved in but the Deed was never filed with the Chancery Clerk. A year later, when client went to pay the taxes for such property, she was informed by the Tax Assessor's Office that the property was not in her name. Client contacted MCLS, and the attorney negotiated a settlement whereby the Memorandum of Sale was amended to include the sale of one parcel (client’s homestead) and the client became legal owner of the property after the Deed was filed.