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Disability Advocacy Program

The Disability Advocacy Program (DAP) originally was established by Chapter 627 of the Laws of 1983, adding Section 35 of the Social Services Law, which provides for the legal representation of individuals whose federal disability benefits have been denied or may be discontinued. Pursuant to the statutory provisions, the Commissioner of the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) makes grants to not-for-profit legal services corporations, not-for-profit agencies serving the disabled and social services districts to provide for such representation. N.Y. Soc. Serv. Law §35 (McKinney 2003).

This website is designed primarily for advocates throughout New York who are funded under the DAP grant.

OTDA reports to the New York Legislature biennial on the DAP program. For the most recent report, click here.


ARTICLES

Disability Advocacy Program Funding Increased in State Budget
We are pleased to announce that the enacted budget includes a total of $5.26 million in funding for the DAP program! Read More

DAPWorks for NYS
DAPWorks for NYS is a new statewide campaign seeking to increase funding for the Disability Advocacy Program (DAP). DAP returns at least $6 for every $1 invested in the program through the state budget by assisting low income severely disabled New Yorkers in appealing aplication denials for federally funded SSI benefits. Read More

Good News! Increased funding for the Disability Advocacy Program.
For the first time in a decade, the Disability Advocacy Program, which helps disabled individuals access federal SSI/SSD benefits, received an increase- not a cut- in the budget. Read More


Disability Advocacy Program: Articles


IN THE NEWS

Statewide Advocates Celebrate 30th “Birthday” of Disability Advocacy Program, Calling for Renewed Investment
Members of DAPWorks, a statewide campaign led by Disability Advocacy Program (DAP) advocates and members of the New York State Senate and Assembly, gathered today at the State Capitol in Albany to celebrate three decades of successful advocacy on behalf of low income disabled New Yorkers in need of financial support. Lauding over $1 billion brought into the state by the program during that time, and 208,000 clients served, speakers urged an additional $2.24 million investment above the $4.76 million included in the Executive Budget to allow them to assist more people. Read More

Capitol Pressroom - Launch of the DAPWorks Campaign
Listen to our Kristin Brown Lilley talk on the Capitol Pressroom about the Launch of the DAPWorks Campaign – and why the Disability Advocacy Program is a great investment for NYS. Read More



POLICY ADVOCACY

"Unfit" for NPR - Let's Get the Facts Straight on Disability
Members of the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities and the SSI Coalition for Children and Families, joined by the Coalition on Human Needs, the Children's Leadership Council, and other organizations, are concerned that a series recently aired on National Public Radio ("Unfit for Work: The Startling Rise of Disability in America and accompanying The American Life episode "Trends With Benefits," both reported by Chana Joffe-Walt) paints a misleading and inaccurate picture of the Social Security programs that serve as a vital lifeline for millions of Americans with severe disabilities. Read More

Empire Justice Testimony at the 2013 NYS Joint Legislative Hearing on the Executive Budget: Human Services
Our testimony before the joint committees on child care assistance, funding for the Disability Advocacy Program and disabled individuals interacting with our state’s public assistance programs. Read More


Disability Advocacy Program: Policy Advocacy



NEWSLETTERS

Disabiltiy Law News - September 2012
The Disability Law News is a quarterly newsletter published for DAP advocates. In this issue we will discuss the Second Circuit's Ruling on DAA (drug adiction or alcohol) issues and take a closer look at a recent GAO report on Kids' SSI. Additional articles discuss new regulations, recent Court Decisions and Administrative Decisions. In this issue look for several new and helpful websites in Web News. Read More

Disability Law News - June 2012
The Disability Law News is a quarterly newsletter published for DAP advocates. This issue will look at Social Security Ruling (SSR) 11-1p, which prohibits, with certain exceptions the filing of subsequent applications for disability benefits while an appeal is pending. Additional articles discuss new regulations, recent Court Decisions and Administrative Decisions highlighting the Appeals Council Reversal in a 12.05C case. Read More