Major Victory for API Legal Outreach Client in SSA Overpayment Case

For many individuals living with mental health disabilities, financial security is fragile. The complexity of government benefit programs, coupled with limited access to legal and financial guidance, can create devastating consequences. Today, we are proud to share a success story of API Legal Outreach’s Elder Care and Disability Rights Project.

A 51-year-old client of Chinese descent, who has lived with schizophrenia and paranoia since his diagnosis in 2001, was burdened with an overwhelming SSA overpayment debt of $25,805—a staggering sum for someone surviving on limited disability benefits. The debt, which accrued due to SSA overpayment dating back to 2005, remained unresolved for nearly two decades, adding immense financial and emotional distress to an already challenging reality.

Like many individuals with severe mental health disabilities, our client faced significant barriers in navigating the SSA system. Complex regulations, ever-changing eligibility criteria, and bureaucratic red tape often leave individuals like him vulnerable to errors, miscommunications, and unexpected debt accumulation—without the resources or legal knowledge to challenge them.

For years, this looming debt not only jeopardized his access to essential benefits but also compounded his anxiety and paranoia, making daily life even more difficult. The thought of repaying this amount—while struggling to meet basic needs—was an impossible burden.

That’s where API Legal Outreach post-bar fellow ZM stepped in. Through meticulous casework and dedicated representation, ZM successfully secured a full waiver of the debt. This victory means more than financial relief—it restores dignity, stability, and peace of mind for someone who has faced systemic obstacles for much of his life.

Our client expressed profound gratitude, describing how ZM’s unwavering support helped him navigate an otherwise insurmountable legal battle. This case underscores the critical role of API Legal Outreach in advocating for people with disabilities and the need for more robust protections against unjust benefit overpayment claims.

Please join us in celebrating this milestone and recognizing the tireless work of API Legal Outreach’s ZM in ensuring that vulnerable community members receive the justice they deserve.

About the APILO’s Elder and Disability Rights Project:

APILO’s Elder and Disability Rights Project provides legal services in a variety of areas to assist elders and individuals with disabilities to receive public benefits and live a life free from abuse. The Elder Team works to both to prevent abuse towards elders and people with disabilities and to assist survivors of abuse. We work closely with senior centers, churches, and senior meal sites to keep our services accessible. With a team of exemplary attorneys and dedicated staff, the team provides a wide range of legal services, including naturalization assistance, other immigration cases, elder abuse, estate planning, eviction defense, conservatorship, guardianship, and restraining orders to name a few.

If you want to learn more about what our team does or are in need of assistance, please feel free to reach out to us.