Morgan, a 20-year-old living with ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Asperger’s Syndrome, depression, and seizures, had relied on Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) since the age of four. For sixteen years, these benefits provided critical support for him and his family. That stability was abruptly threatened when the Social Security Administration (SSA) sent Morgan a letter stating his benefits would be terminated because they no longer considered him disabled.
Despite his disabilities, Morgan had attempted to work. He held positions at Walmart, Sears, and Home Depot doing maintenance, stocking, and unloading furniture. However, the pace and production demands became overwhelming, triggering stress, anxiety, and difficulties with focus. Eventually, he was fired for poor performance. Around the same time, Morgan began experiencing daily seizures that required hospitalization.
Confused and worried, Morgan and his mother turned to Lone Star Legal Aid (LSLA) for help. His case was assigned to Public Benefits Unit Staff Attorney Channing Guidry, who filed an appeal and began preparing Morgan for an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) hearing. Guidry instructed Morgan to complete detailed disability forms, gather information about his work history, and provide documentation from his counselor about his intellectual and emotional limitations.
The ALJ extended the case for 21 days to allow submission of additional medical evidence, particularly regarding the frequency and severity of Morgan’s seizures, while also reviewing his long-standing autism diagnosis. The central question was whether Morgan’s conditions significantly limited his ability to maintain employment.
After reviewing all of the evidence, the ALJ issued a Notice of Favorable Decision, ruling that Morgan’s disability benefits should be reinstated without interruption.
Thanks to LSLA’s advocacy, Morgan and his family were spared the devastating loss of the income he had depended on since childhood.
*Name(s) have been changed to protect the client’s identity.
Lone Star Legal Aid (LSLA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit law firm focused on advocacy for low-income populations by providing free legal education, advice, and representation. LSLA serves millions of people at 125% of federal poverty guidelines, who live in 72 counties in the eastern and Gulf Coast regions of Texas, and 4 counties in Southwest Arkansas. To learn more about Lone Star Legal Aid, visit our website at www.LoneStarLegal.org.
Media contact: media@lonestarlegal.org