Stinson Helps Secure Major Victory in Federal Lawsuit Against State's Department of Social Services

06.06.2024

Stinson LLP, in partnership with the National Center for Law and Economic Justice and Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, helped secure a victory in federal court on behalf of low-income Missourians who were illegally denied access to food assistance benefits.

In May, a U.S. district court judge ruled that Missouri Department of Social Services' practices violated the Americans with Disabilities Act and denied eligible residents access to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. The lawsuit, filed in February 2022, alleged long call center wait times, wrongful denials of benefits and lack of disability accommodations.

"We're thrilled with this result, and we look forward to making this system more accessible to the hundreds of thousands who rely on SNAP benefits," Stinson Partner Andrew Scavotto said in a recent National Center for Law and Economic Justice press release.

In addition to Scavotto, Stinson Partner Nicci Warr, attorneys Zachary Buchheit and Maya Cherayil, and eDiscovery and practice support consultant Robin Ferrell were involved in this matter.

Read the Missouri Independent's article to learn more.