Florida Civil Legal UPDATE

We learned last week that the First DCA did not agree with the Advocacy Center that every person facing a reduction in services from the Agency for Persons with Disabilities is entitled to a fair hearing on the mertis.  We covered the challenge here.

Now there’s reporting on the status of denial letters.

Of the 5,400 people who have appealed, the agency has judged that about 800 are “legally sufficient” for review by the Department of Administrative Hearings. The agency is still mailing out response letters. About 2,000 denial letters went out last week, and more people will get letters in the next several weeks. Those turned down have 10 days to amend their complaint and try again.

That’s obviously not a lot of turn-around time.  For legal services advocates concerned about this issue, please visit and join the Health & Senior Law Section of FLAdvocate.org.  There we have training, practice materials, and a community of advocates working to bring justice to some of our most at-risk neighbors.  A pro bono program also has been launched through the Administrative Law Section of the Bar.  Check out floridaprobono.org for more information.