Senior Law: Recent Campaigns and Cases

Ana Hernandez: A Spanish-speaking senior who suffers from various mental disabilities, came to La Raza Senior Law Clinic seeking assistance with a potential civil liability suit on behalf of GAP, Inc. While shopping at an Old Navy department store, the senior suffered from an anxiety attack and became disoriented; the senior was then accused of shoplifting and coerced into signing a letter which she did not understand nor was given the time to read. She was told that after signing the letter the matter would be resolved and no further action would be instated, but since the alleged incident, the senior has been receiving letters from Gap, Inc. and their attorneys requesting she pay $400 in damages to settle all potential civil claims against her. After various correspondences with the Gap, Inc. attorney, including a final one addressed to the General Counsel, the company has decided to drop any further pursuit of payment and close the file on the matter.

Rosa Quijada: A Spanish-speaking and low income senior came to La Raza Senior Law Clinic requesting assistance for her disability. The senior had applied for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and had been denied despite working in the U.S. for over 16 years and her ailing problems with arthritis. She was denied disability because she did not meet the 40 credits requirement instituted by the Social Security Administration. After meeting with her and the Social Security administration, it was decided that all she needed to qualify was find the missing tax information needed to acquire the 3 credits that she fell short. We located the missing tax information and had her reapply for SSI with our guidance; with her credits recalculated she was be able to qualify for disability benefits starting in March 2011.