Dear Friend,

In this month's issue of the Cancer Legal Resource Center Chronicle, you will find:

Best regards,
Joanna L. Morales, Esq. 
Director, Cancer Legal Resource Center

Fall 2011 Cancer Rights Conferences 

There's still time to register for the
Fall 2011 Cancer Rights Conferences!

Join the CLRC for these FREE events that will provide patients, survivors, caregivers, advocates, navigators, and health care professionals with valuable information about cancer-related legal issues.  FREE continuing education credit for qualifying nurses, social workers, and attorneys!

Washington, D.C.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Click here to register now:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WashingtonDC2011Registration

Ann Arbor, M.I.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Click here to register now:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/AnnArborMI2011Registration

Still thinking about why you should attend?

See what our 2011 Chicago Cancer Rights Conference attendees have to say about this unique event: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quETWiVg0Gs

For more information (location, CEUs, agenda, etc.) and to register online, 
visit www.CancerRightsConference.org.
Questions? Contact CLRC@LLS.edu.

Re-entering the Workforce

By Laura Riley, Esq., CLRC Staff Attorney

If you are getting ready to get back to work after a short or long term period of leave, there are some legal protections and government programs that may help you transition back to work.

Continuing Disability Insurance Benefits
If you received benefits from one of the two federal disability benefits programs, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you may be able to take advantage of a program that allows you to test your ability to return to work, while protecting your eligibility for cash benefits and health care coverage. While attempting to return to work, you may keep full cash benefits, keep Medicaid (for SSI) or Medicare (for SSDI), and receive help with education, training, and rehabilitation. The trial work period lasts up to a total of 9 months, within a 60-month period. Then, you have 36 months to work and receive benefits for any month that your earnings are not “substantial.” In 2011, earnings of $1,000 or more, per month, are considered “substantial.” If you are unable to continue working after this period, your benefits will resume. The Social Security Administration’s “Ticket to Work Program” supports this trial period by, in addition to allowing continued benefits during this period, also helps you obtain vocational rehabilitation, training, job referrals, and other employment support services free of charge.

For more information about the “Ticket to Work Program,” please visit: www.ssa.gov/work.

For more information about returning to work, contact the Cancer Legal Resource Center (CLRC) at 866-THE-CLRC (866-843-2572) or CLRC@LLS.edu, the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) at 800-526-7234 or www.askjan.org, or your state’s fair employment agency. 

The CLRC Professional Panel in Action!

By Jamie Ledezma, Esq., CLRC Staff Attorney

  
A cancer diagnosis can carry with it a variety of potential legal issues,           including insurance coverage, employment discrimination, access to health care, real estate, and estate planning. While the CLRC provides critical information and resources that help callers deal with their problems, the CLRC does not provide them with direct legal advice or representation. Sometimes, CLRC’s callers require legal advice or direct advocacy in order to resolve their concerns. The CLRC refers these callers to a volunteer attorney on the CLRC’s Professional Panel who practices in their geographic area and has expertise in the area of their inquiry. The volunteer’s commitment is a limited one; the Professional Panel attorneys agree to provide a 30 minute free consultation to a CLRC caller in person, or on the telephone. Panel members may then decide to provide the caller with their legal options, legal advice, limited intervention, or full scale representation.

Dickstein Shapiro LLP spearheads a national group of policyholder lawyers who partner with the CLRC’s Professional Panel to provide pro bono service for cancer survivors fighting their health and/or disability insurance companies. Dickstein Shapiro was recently referred a case to help a woman whose health insurer terminated her health insurance after approving costly procedures and cashing her premium check. This left this cancer survivor with substantial hospital bills and it also prevented her from receiving further treatment because of these outstanding bills.

Dickstein Shapiro stepped in to represent this cancer survivor and coordinated an internal appeal to challenge the insurer’s termination of health insurance coverage. Dickstein Shapiro attorneys analyzed the facts, sent the insurer a compelling letter demanding full payment, and appeared at a hearing for the client. The tenacity and zealous advocacy of Dickstein Shapiro proved worthwhile. The insurance company decided to reverse its decision and provide coverage for the procedures. Congratulations to attorneys Jeremy King, Mikaela Whitman and Jonathan Zakheim, who went out of their way to assist a cancer survivor in fighting an uphill battle.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the CLRC's Professional Panel, please complete the Professional Panel Application and return it to the CLRC by email at CLRC@LLS.edu or visit the CLRC website for more information, at www.disabilityrightslegalcenter.org/about/ProfessionalPanel.cfm. 

About the CLRC
 
The Cancer Legal Resource Center (CLRC) is a national, joint program of the Disability Rights Legal Center and Loyola Law School Los Angeles. The CLRC provides free and confidential information and resources on cancer-related legal issues to cancer survivors, caregivers, healthcare professionals, employers, and others coping with cancer.