Equip for Equality

Independent Monitoring Unit works to improve the safety of recipients receiving services and to demonstrate the contribution an independent, non-governmental Protection and Advocacy System can make to enhance existing state and federal systems charged with investigating serious incidents.

Legal Services provides free legal advice and representation in administrative proceedings and federal and state court. Also engages in systems and impact litigation.

Public Policy Advocacy achieves changes in state legislation, public policies and programs to safeguard individual rights and personal safety, enhance choice and self-determination, and promote independence, productivity, and community integration. Drafts and secures passage of state legislation and participates in state regulatory and policymaking processes.

The program helps both beneficiaries and representative payees. Beneficiaries are the recipients of Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. Rep payees are the individuals or organizations who manage Social Security benefits. SSA assesses a beneficiary's need for a rep payee on a case-by-case basis. Equip for Equality's role is meant to help keep beneficiaries safe and ensure their needs are met by conducting performance reviews to discover whether or not a representative payee is carrying out its duties.

Self-Advocacy Assistance offers free, one-on-one technical assistance to inform individuals about their rights, alternative options and strategies, and steps they may take to advocate on their own behalf or on behalf of a family member.