Leontine Merrow

I read the file first, and I read all of it.

I work alone, in a small office on Hammond Street, and I take only Social Security disability, SSI and VA disability claims. That’s a short list on purpose. The programs change every year, and the only way I know to stay current is to do nothing else.

My clients are people who worked until they couldn’t, veterans who were told their condition wasn’t service-connected, and families holding a letter they don’t understand. Many have been denied once already.

Outside the office I read, walk along the river, and keep a notebook of the sentences in denial letters that I think are wrong.