But advocates are suing the state, saying it is rejecting those who should qualify.

Now, advocates for thousands of would-be applicants are suing the Bush administration to compel it to follow the law, signed on Oct. 28, 2000.

As the number of children in foster care rose, the city added caseworkers, sometimes after children's advocates sued.

Second, advocates for minority children have sued in state court to desegregate Hartford schools.

Ungratefully, these sometimes confrontational advocates occasionally sued welfare departments and other supposed benefactors.

Now the advocates have sued Amtrak in Federal Court, charging repeated violence and other violations.

The advocate could sue other state agencies and was responsible for challenging rate increases requested by the insurance industry, among other powers.

And in October, advocates for the retarded sued the state on behalf of seven residents, saying Southbury provided inadequate services.

The city agreed to the delay after advocates for the poor sued the city, claiming that the staffing cuts would deny thousands of people their benefits.

Dozens of lawmakers objected, advocates sued, and the E.P.A. rejected the rules.