FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 1, 2018

Department of Social Services Reaches Agreement on Blind Pension Lawsuit

Jefferson City, MO— The Department of Social Services, along with the Missouri Attorney General’s office, has reached an agreement to resolve all outstanding issues in the blind pension lawsuit. As part of this agreement, the state will establish a fund from which eligible blind pensioners will receive compensation according to an agreed upon claims process.

On Oct. 6, 2017 the Cole County Circuit Court entered a judgment finding that individuals who received a blind pension between Feb. 1, 2001 and June 30, 2010 did not receive the full amount of the pension that they were entitled to receive. The Court’s judgment awarded $26,312,279 to compensate these individuals for the underpayment. The parties were able to reach an agreement to establish a fund to compensate those affected.

“The Department of Social Services thinks that the settlement agreement represents a reasonable resolution to this long-standing, complex case,” said Patrick Luebbering, Director, Family Support Division. “The Department will be asking the Court to approve the agreement.”

The proposed settlement agreement is available on the Department of Social Service’s website at https://dss.mo.gov Division 4 of the Cole County Circuit Court will hold a hearing at 1:30 P.M. on March 30, 2018 to allow any class member the opportunity to object to the settlement or opt out of the settlement.

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