Marisol’s daughter was diagnosed with autism when she was three and a half years old. The medical team at St. Joseph’s Hospital connected Marisol with a support network of other parents of children with autism, who advised her to apply for guardianship. “They tell you, you know, ‘think about what’s going to happen when your child is 18. You no longer will have a voice.’” She looked around for a private attorney but quickly realized that was beyond their budget. Then St. Joseph’s referred her to Legal Services.

“We just had to go to court for one day and that’s it. And it was done.”

Legal Services then assisted Marisol’s daughter with an SSI disability claim. Marisol had applied on her behalf when she was younger and appealed on her own, to no avail.

With a Legal Services lawyer by her side, Natalie’s claim was finally approved. The small monthly SSI benefit will ensure a minimal income for Natalie throughout her life, and she will have access to healthcare coverage through SSI Medicaid when coverage through her parents’ insurance ends.