Disabled Four-Year-Old Girl Denied Access by Social Security Administration Office

Tampa, FL (Law Firm Newswire) January 2, 2018 – After a four-year-old girl was denied access to accommodations that were necessary to treat her disability at a Social Security Administration (SSA) office, her mother spoke out for disabilities awareness. The girl suffers from a metabolic disorder that prevents her body from correctly regulating blood sugar; therefore, she experiences a loss of energy rapidly and requires recurrent feedings via a tube in her stomach.

As reported by KWTX, the girl’s mother, Terrin Barker-Thomas, said she and her daughter went to the Social Security Administration office in November 2017. Upon attempting to bring in a small bottle of apple juice for her daughter, a security guard informed her that it was against the food and drink policy of the agency, and that any feedings would have to be performed outside. Even after the mother tried to provide an explanation to the security guard as to why her daughter needed the apple juice, he was adamant in his refusal to allow her to give her daughter the juice.

Tampa, Florida social security disability lawyer David W. Magann says that, “The denial by the SSA office was highly improper, and hopefully will not recur.” “Evidently, the child needed the juice for medical reasons, and should have been accommodated.”

When the office manager sided with the guard, Barker-Thomas telephoned police, who recognized that the office was required by law to permit them to bring the juice inside. However, police also said it was a civil matter, and they lacked the authority to take any action at the time. The mother described the situation as one that was very disheartening for her and her daughter.

The SSA subsequently issued an apology. SSA Deputy Regional Communications Director stated that while the office policy of the agency does not permit food or drink in the office, they are recommending that their offices use their judgment to permit small quantities of food or drink for medical reasons or to take medication.

While such a denial can have an adverse impact on the disabled individual, a denial of benefits by the SSA can also have negative consequences for the disability applicant. If a person is denied such benefits, they are advised to consult a social security disability lawyer to file an appeal.

Learn more at http://www.floridasocialsecurity.com/

David W. Magann, P.A.
Main Office:
156 W. Robertson St.
Brandon, FL 33511
Call: (813) 657-9175

Tampa Office:
4012 Gunn Highway #165
Tampa, Florida 33618

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