NEVADA, U.S.A - Jerry Doyle spent 11 years serving the military, has been a truck driver, cab driver, crane operator and worked for the railroad.
He also has been homeless five times.
Doyle's social phobia, diagnosed at 10-years-old, has made life and work difficult. An attention deficit disorder and other ailments, such as migraine headaches and the partial numbness he experiences in both hands, have taken a toll on his body through the years.
"I'd like to work, but with how I am - I can't," Doyle, 53, said. "I could feel everything (including my health) was running out, and I just couldn't do it anymore."
Instead of going homeless, Doyle learned he could qualify for Social Security Disability Income, a federal benefit program for mentally and physically disabled individuals. Doyle found Legal Aid Society of Story County in 2003 to help him sift through the tedious, complicated paperwork to apply.
The non-profit legal firm represents civil matters for about 340 Story County families who meet federal income guidelines every year. About 200 of those cases are new. While the firm primarily represents family law cases, Jay Kamath, executive director of the firm, said the number of SSDI cases are increasing.
The legal aid firm is one of the few, if not only, in Story County willing to represent mentally and physically disabled individuals who have no means to provide for themselves, Kamath said. The lengthy, complicated process is a special area of the law few lawyers specialize in, which also takes months or years to see results.
"These individuals have no job and no means to provide for themselves on a daily basis," Kamath said.
The criteria to receive benefits are difficult to meet since individuals must prove with documentation their medical condition and that there are no jobs available in the community.
"That is why it is important for us to be here for our clients," Kamath said.
Clients such as Doyle.
"It's tiring and frustrating (to live like this)," Doyle said. "But you have to go with the flow, and with Jay's positive attitude - saying it will be just a little longer - I was able to keep up with the process.
"Thankfully there are a lot of nice churches around." Doyle said.
He also received help from Veteran Affairs, Emergency Residence Project and Good Neighbor, which provided rent and utility assistance for him. Local churches helped with meals and gas vouchers.
After more than two years of paper work and appeals, Doyle was deemed eligible for benefits.
"Now, I'm not worried I will be underneath a bridge somewhere," he said.
The Legal Aid Society of Story County has no waiting list for situations like Doyle's because of the 60-day turn around for appeals paper work. Other than court costs, which can reach as high as $150, a $10 intake fee is the only cost to individuals.
Kamath said working hard for clients who need the benefits is rewarding and the county is paid back for services provided to individuals who successfully qualify for benefits.
"I think everyone in this office believes in improving the lives of people in our community and the people around us," Kamath said. "That is something I am very passionate about, helping those who wouldn't otherwise be served. ... Everyone should be entitled to this representation."
He also has been homeless five times.
Doyle's social phobia, diagnosed at 10-years-old, has made life and work difficult. An attention deficit disorder and other ailments, such as migraine headaches and the partial numbness he experiences in both hands, have taken a toll on his body through the years.
"I'd like to work, but with how I am - I can't," Doyle, 53, said. "I could feel everything (including my health) was running out, and I just couldn't do it anymore."
Instead of going homeless, Doyle learned he could qualify for Social Security Disability Income, a federal benefit program for mentally and physically disabled individuals. Doyle found Legal Aid Society of Story County in 2003 to help him sift through the tedious, complicated paperwork to apply.
The non-profit legal firm represents civil matters for about 340 Story County families who meet federal income guidelines every year. About 200 of those cases are new. While the firm primarily represents family law cases, Jay Kamath, executive director of the firm, said the number of SSDI cases are increasing.
The legal aid firm is one of the few, if not only, in Story County willing to represent mentally and physically disabled individuals who have no means to provide for themselves, Kamath said. The lengthy, complicated process is a special area of the law few lawyers specialize in, which also takes months or years to see results.
"These individuals have no job and no means to provide for themselves on a daily basis," Kamath said.
The criteria to receive benefits are difficult to meet since individuals must prove with documentation their medical condition and that there are no jobs available in the community.
"That is why it is important for us to be here for our clients," Kamath said.
Clients such as Doyle.
"It's tiring and frustrating (to live like this)," Doyle said. "But you have to go with the flow, and with Jay's positive attitude - saying it will be just a little longer - I was able to keep up with the process.
"Thankfully there are a lot of nice churches around." Doyle said.
He also received help from Veteran Affairs, Emergency Residence Project and Good Neighbor, which provided rent and utility assistance for him. Local churches helped with meals and gas vouchers.
After more than two years of paper work and appeals, Doyle was deemed eligible for benefits.
"Now, I'm not worried I will be underneath a bridge somewhere," he said.
The Legal Aid Society of Story County has no waiting list for situations like Doyle's because of the 60-day turn around for appeals paper work. Other than court costs, which can reach as high as $150, a $10 intake fee is the only cost to individuals.
Kamath said working hard for clients who need the benefits is rewarding and the county is paid back for services provided to individuals who successfully qualify for benefits.
"I think everyone in this office believes in improving the lives of people in our community and the people around us," Kamath said. "That is something I am very passionate about, helping those who wouldn't otherwise be served. ... Everyone should be entitled to this representation."
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