Seattle Community Law Center

The Seattle Community Law Center is a legal aid organization dedicated to providing high-quality Social Security and SSI representation to the people who need benefits the most and are least likely to secure representation due to barriers preventing them from accessing the justice system.

We are committed to providing the accommodations and tailored services needed to overcome these barriers, help our clients keep their benefits claims on track, and secure the the evidence needed to support a successful claim.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, our services ensure that our clients receive the benefits they are entitled to, regardless of their ability to pay for legal services
 

Disabled Homeless Advocacy Project

In 2006, we launched the Disabled Homeless Advocacy Project, the first and only project of its kind in the region, to proactively identify and assist disabled homeless individuals who have "slipped through the cracks" of the state and federal safety net programs that provide cash and medical assistance to the disabled and to help them obtain benefits to which they are entitled and that will help them to move toward financial and medical stability.  DHAP staff and volunteers hold clinics at local homeless shelters, and may provide information, advice, advocacy and direct legal representation to qualified individuals throughout Social Security's application and appeals process.
 

Social Security Advocacy Project 

The Social Security Advocacy Project provides legal advice, advocacy, referral and direct legal representation to low-income individuals facing disputes with the Social Security Administration regarding their eligibility for benefits. SSAP prioritizes cases for which representation by a private attorney is not available.

Generally, these cases fall into one of three categories:

  • Social Security or SSI benefit overpayments;
  • Social Security or SSI benefit terminations; and
  • Entitlement cases (applications for benefits) where the client has been unable to find an attorney willing to represent them because they have barriers such as homelessness, mental illness, limited English proficiency, and limited education or illiteracy.