Your input on our priorities is welcome throughout the year. Our priorities specify the services we provide. The following services do not fall within the priorities of GAO because they are commonly accepted by legal services, the private bar, and court-appointed counsel, or because the primary issue is often not based on discrimination due to disability or the person has already retained legal counsel:
- Social Security applications
- Food Stamp applications / claims
- Criminal proceedings
- Divorce, custody, and child support
- Ad litem representation of children in parental rights terminations
- Drafting of wills, trusts, and estate planning
- Malpractice cases
- Workers Compensation, issues related to collective bargaining agreements, unemployment compensation
- Product liability
- Bankruptcy matters
- Personal injury
- Consumer protection issues
- Tax issues
- Pension, ERISA issues
- Property disputes
- Guardianship proceedings (GAO does not support petitions for removal of individual rights)
- Commitment proceedings
- Landlord / tenant issues
- Case management
- Provide direct services
GAO does not represent the interests of care providers, families, or guardians unless that interest is consistent with the interest of the individual with a disability and GAO is also representing the individual with a disability (the individual with a disability may be “Jane Doe”).