Kendra S. Kleber & Associates is closing.

Kendra Kleber is closing the firm, effective July 2009. We regret that we are unable to accept new cases.

We've posted information and materials which might be useful. In Training Materials you'll find exhibits which have been used in Kendra's legal trainings and workshops.

Click on Disability help for information about the Social Security disability process, how to apply, and how to appeal.

Social Security appeals news update: If your Social Security disability application has been denied, and you've appealed that decision, you are waiting for a hearing and you are part of "the backlog." The backlog is the stash of cases that Social Security  is working through, and there are roughly 745,000 cases pending. 

The Social Security Administration is focusing on hearing requests, that are over 900 days old. That means that if you filed your appeal  before 4/1/2007 (about 800 days back from 6/1/2009) then your hearing is going to be scheduled soon. Get your appeal in order, see your doctors, and contact your lawyer.

Are you an advocate, case manager, attorney - some one who helps people living with HIV and people living with AIDS qualify for Social Security disability benefits? If so, Kendra has posted a loving parting gift for you - go to Staff Resources and Practitioner's Library to peruse the (growing) library of advocacy tools from our practice.

When you are ready to find a lawyer, check here. This is a list of attorneys from around the country who handle Social Security cases, and who have experience with HIV and AIDS. Please understand: we aren't endorsing these people. But we are recommending you hire an attorney to handle your disability appeal. And these folks have expressed interest and experience in explaining HIV-related disability claims.

Social Security Secrets (the book) is back!

Do you need to know the Social Security Secrets?

"Social Security Secrets" is a guidebook by attorney Kendra S. Kleber that describes the process of applying for and getting SS disability benefits, specifically for people living with HIV/AIDS. Head here to GET THE BOOK FOR FREE. (that's a new development as of 6/20/09.)

We've posted the December 2004 SSA 4814

 with instructions

Go to "Social Security claims forms" for the current version of the 4814, and for a Social Security Secrets workshop handout that includes a marked up copy of the form, a clean copy, and notes from Kendra on completing the form.   

Do you need to know about HIV/AIDS and the law?

Check the HIV law articles where you'll find information about HIV/AIDS-related legal rights and responsibilities. Much of the information here focuses on Michigan state law, like the HIV confidentiality law information. But a good bit of it is about federal law, which applies to every state in the US, and general strategies for creative problem-solving, which can be useful everywhere. The article on filing an EEOC complaint is here, too.

Do you need help getting someone to stop talking about your HIV status?

Check the Shut Up! Project from the HIV law articles page, and you'll find an article that explains your legal rights and responsibilities as a person living in Michigan with HIV, and another that you can pass along to the person who is talking out of turn about you. These articles are only appropriate under Michigan law.

Check out the Back Room!

Want News about the firm, or recent changes in Social Security laws and rules?  Are you worried about discrimination at work because you are gay or lesbian? (See The Closet Door is Glass article.)  Do you need a bumper sticker or some other way to express your opinions, or to show your solidarity with people living with HIV/AIDS? Have you been looking for your old Michigan Advocates Exchange sweatshirt or coffee mug and you can't find it? (See the MAX store.)  See "Back Room" for all of this and more.

Here's a great new resource: Sarah Patterson is an attorney in the western US, and she focuses her practice exclusively on Social Security disability cases, now specializing in claims involving HIV and AIDS. Sarah has launched a new blog where she will post news about HIV law, HIV medical issues, Medicaid and Medicare issues for people living with HIV, and about Social Security disability law. Check it out here.

Yes, it is kind of unusual for a law firm to sell t-shirts, or to offer bumper stickers free for the downloading, but we're not an ordinary law firm. Learn more about the firm and Kendra's philosophy and how we got here on the About Us page.

Contact us

For more information, or to talk about a specific problem, call or email. Ask for help. Call for ideas on how to get past the legal questions in your way. Within Michigan, the call is toll-free: 888-629-3660. From the rest of the world, call 248-591-0301 (EST 9-7; but there is 24-hour voice mail). For mail and email alternatives, see the Contact Us page. It all gets to the same place.

Positive Outlook

Everybody needs a positive outlook, that's our view. Click the link or the button below to zip off to the Positive Outlook store, where you'll find unique, intelligent designs you won't see on everybody else on the street. These are uppity and affirming messages for the gay, HIV-positive and Constitutionally-concerned community. See the new section of Mackinac Island things, too. Show your Positive Outlook!

MI-Voice

The Michigan Voice is an email list-serv that connects people who are interested in issues involving HIV and AIDS in Michigan and beyond. The list offers some discussion, the occasional but polite temper tantrum, a lot of news and frequent updates on HIV-specific funding sources, new programs, job opportunities and political changes that can and will and do impact people living with HIV/AIDS all over the country. Click the link for more information, and join.