New York Awards $8.2M For Appeals Of Disability Benefit Denials

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York has awarded more than $8.2 million to provide legal help for people who have been denied federal disability benefits.

The state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance says the money is going to 11 organizations to help represent people denied Supplemental Security Income, Social Security Disability Insurance and similar benefits.

State officials say the federal appeals process can be difficult but that 73 percent of the appellants who received legal representation in New York recently were awarded federal disability benefits.

Successful federal appeals also can relieve state and local governments from having to pick up costs of care.

[STORY BY: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS]