If you, a loved one or a client needed help with social security, Medicare or Medicaid, would you know what to do? Long term disability benefits are offered by some employers and provide a monthly cash benefit to those employees who become unable to work due to serious medical condition. Disability benefits may also be available through Social Security. It is important to have a strong application if you hope to obtain benefits. A denial of benefits can be appealed, but often takes many months or even years. You will not want to miss this opportunity to learn how to file a strong application and learn what the legal standards are for review on appeal. Attorney Jim Passamano will also talk about Social Security benefits, rules related to part time work while on benefits and Social Security benefit reviews. Attorney Amy Sopchak will also talk about how special needs trusts can help obtain and protect Medicaid coverage.

James Passamano received his JD in 1990 from South Texas College of Law and an LL.M. degree from the University of Cambridge in England with honors in 1999. He is a former Senior Trial Attorney for the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and served as a Judicial Clerk for the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas. Jim has served as an adjunct professor at South Texas College of Law, Rice University and the University of Houston School of Law. He is the author of several articles and books andconcentrates his practice in health law representing doctors, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, manufacturers of medical equipment and other health care providers. He represents health care providers in regulatory compliance matters and licensing matters. His practice also includes Social Security disability claims, employee benefits and insurance law. He is rated AV (the highest rating) in Martindale-Hubble Peer Review Rating.

Amy Sopchak received her Bachelor's degree Suma Cum Laude from the University of Houston where she studied Psychology and her law degree from South Texas College of Law in 2008 Cum Laude. She is the 2008 recipient of the Lyndon B. Johnson Civil Rights Award for outstanding work advancing the civil rights of individuals. She concentrates her practice in Health Law and in Estate Planning, including special needs trusts. She also represents claimants in Social Security matters, employee benefit matters and other matters related to access to health care.