This summer, I am completing my Laidlaw Leadership in Action project with the HIV Medical-Legal Partnership at the East Bay Community Law Center (EBCLC). The Medical-Legal Partnership works alongside healthcare providers at Highland Hospital to serve people living with HIV, helping address legal issues that directly affect health, including access to public benefits, housing, and healthcare. During my first week, I have been getting my footing by learning how the clinic operates, meeting the people on the team, and beginning to understand how disability law fits into the broader work of medical-legal advocacy.
My first project has been developing a plain-language guide to the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) application process for clients and advocates. After researching Social Security disability eligibility and reviewing SSA forms, I began annotating the SSI application and Adult Disability Report with practical guidance, explanations of legal terminology, and answers to common questions that are often left unclear in official materials. Working on this guide has given me a deeper appreciation for how complex public benefits systems can be and how important clear, accessible information is for clients navigating disability benefits. I look forward to continuing to refine the guide while becoming more involved in client-facing work over the coming weeks.