Dennis, a hardworking landscaper, built his life around providing for his wife and young daughter. But when his health began to decline—high blood pressure, gout, arthritis, chronic pain, and depression—he could no longer keep working. When he applied for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), he was denied and told he was “not disabled.”
Unsure where to turn, Dennis reached out to Lone Star Legal Aid (LSLA). His case was assigned to Senior Staff Attorney Jeff Larsen, who discovered Dennis had been unable to work for years because of his serious medical limitations. Larsen carefully reviewed Dennis’s medical records, denial letter, and disability application, and then set out to build a stronger case for appeal.
Dennis explained that he couldn’t sit or stand for long periods, lift heavy items, or even grasp objects because of pain and disfigurement in his hands. His medications also left him struggling to focus. Larsen gathered updated medical documents and test results to show just how severely these conditions limited Dennis’s ability to work.
Although the first appeal hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) ended in another denial, Dennis and Larsen persisted. The case was remanded by the Appeals Council, and Dennis insisted on waiting for an in-person hearing—delayed more than two years by the pandemic.
When the day finally came, Dennis and Larsen presented strong testimony and medical evidence. This time, the ALJ ruled in Dennis’s favor. Dennis received substantial backpay, and both his wife and 11-year-old daughter became eligible for benefits, providing much-needed relief for the family. At first, the backpay was only partially issued, but after continued follow-up, Dennis received his full retroactive payment along with certification of ongoing benefits.
“Dennis’s case shows the importance of not giving up when the system gets it wrong,” said Larsen. “He fought for years for the benefits he had earned, and in the end, his perseverance paid off.”
*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