The term “elders` law” is used by the legal profession to focus on the rights and special legal issues of seniors. Lawyers working in this area must master an ever-changing set of rules, laws and regulations that address financial planning, health care and housing, as well as discrimination, abuse and consumer fraud. Such a challenge usually requires training and experience in that particular area of law. The Department is actively engaged in establishing partnerships with entities that can provide legal assistance in accordance with the principles of law and regulation set forth in the Older Americans Act, the Legal Services Corporation Act and regulations made pursuant to those Acts. If you are a service provider seeking training or legal services, please contact us at 1-800-868-9095. A long-term care insurance policy denied coverage to a person, alleging that the person had exhausted their benefits. Legal Assistance concluded that the wording of the policy was inconsistent and included a provision that total benefits were 2190 days (six years), while other articles indicated three years. After receiving a letter of claim and various legal actions, the company negotiated a settlement and the client agreed to another year of coverage. The South Carolina Department of Aging has long-standing partnerships with the SC Bar and SC Bar Pro Bono Program, the Access to Justice Commission, SC Legal Services, and other agencies (governmental or otherwise) that can provide legal representation to the target audience.
Legal services are available to assist seniors and adults with disabilities with a variety of legal issues related to housing, consumer fraud, elder abuse, Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medi-Cal, ageism, pensions, nursing homes, protection services, conservatories and other matters. This guide, developed by the PBA`s Senior Counsel Committee, provides information on legal issues facing Pennsylvania elderly residents and their caregivers. The information provided helps seniors make appropriate decisions so they can maximize personal independence, minimize costs, navigate the maze of government services, and protect themselves from predators who want to deceive, exploit or cheat. The SC Bar is instrumental in providing volunteer advocates in various parts of the state for education, voluntary clinics, and “Ask A Lawyer” programs that target the elderly population or are suitable for caregivers. Please contact them at (803) 799-6653 to find out how you can get involved in ensuring seniors get the legal services they need free of charge. Looking for advice on seniors` law and other legal issues? We`ve put together these helpful guides and articles to answer many of the most common questions our customers have for us. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to help you answer your legal questions. Click on a topic to find free legal information, frequently asked questions, links to websites, court forms and more! An older person who was the victim of domestic violence by her husband obtained a 90-day injunction from the family court and was ordered by the family court to file a divorce or separation action for additional protection. Using the Title III-B legal program, the legal provider filed a complaint with the family court for the older person before the protection order expired within 90 days. With this assistance, the client was protected from further violence and was given full use and ownership of the marital home and a transportation vehicle. Last year, regional organizations on aging spent approximately $330,000 to fund legal services for HC`s most vulnerable population. Our service provider handled 1,160 legal files in eleven (11) priority areas.
The success of the program is not measured in dollars, but by the impact we have on people`s lives every day. Examples of the positive impact of this program can be found below. This helpful resource, created by the South Carolina Bar`s Division of Public Services and the Elders Law Committee, is a guide to laws and programs that affect older adults. See the full printable manual (updated 2019). Under Title III-B of the Seniors Act, the South Carolina Department of Aging funds the provision of legal aid through the various regional aging agencies throughout the state. Legal assistance means legal advice and representation. In South Carolina, this assistance must be provided by an attorney. A client was facing the loss of his home due to a mortgage foreclosure caused by a tax error at the county assessor`s office. Thanks to legal assistance, the error has been corrected, the mortgage has been updated and the monthly payments are now at the right amount so that the client can maintain his own home.