The Elderly Law Project
Free legal assistance for older adults with the greatest economic and social need.
A special project of Neighborhood Legal Services Association
The Elderly Law Project is funded in part through a subcontract with the Allegheny County Department of Aging.
What is NLSA?
Neighborhood Legal Services Association (NLSA) is a private, non-profit corporation founded in 1966 to serve Allegheny, Beaver, Butler and Lawrence County residents who need legal help but cannot afford a lawyer. NLSA's staff of 65 attorneys, paralegals and support personnel are experienced in the law, especially law that affects low-income and elderly people. Similar NLSA programs operate throughout the United States, as well as in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
Am I Eligible for Free ELP Services?
NLSA instituted the Elderly Law Project (ELP) in 1976 to serve poor and vulnerable older adults. If you are age sixty (60) or over, live in Allegheny County and are experiencing great economic or social need, you may be eligible for free legal assistance through this special program. ELP determines eligibility on a case by case basis during the first appointment. While eligible adults do not pay a fee to ELP, you may be required to pay court costs in some types of cases.
What Types if Cases Does ELP Handle?
The Elderly Law Project handles cases involving civil law only. These include:
Housing and
Landlord/Tenant Disputes
ELP represents tenants in evictions, housing code violations and other
problems with landlords.
Public Benefits
Crises
ELP represents clients threatened with terminations, reductions and denials
of TANF, general assistance, food stamps, Medicaid, SSI and other public
benefits.
Family Law
Matters
ELP represents vicitms of physical abuse from spouses or other household
members in actions brought under the Protection from Abuse Act. ELP represents
residents in contention with utility conpanies over bills and shutoffs.
Unemployment
Compensation Issues
ELP represents people seeking unemployment compensation benefits and those
whose benefits have been terminated.
Sheriff Sales
ELP assists people whose assets are subject to sheriff sales by helping
them to claim exemptions, to negotiate with creditors and, if necessary,
to file bankruptcy to stop the sale.
Mortgage Foreclosure
and Tax Sales
ELP represents and counsels property owners who face the loss of their
homes through foreclosure or tax sales.
Guardianship
Alternatives
ELP assists older adults seeking alternatives to guardianship, such as
a designated representative payee, durable, springing and health care
powers of attorney, and living wills.
Lawsuit Defense
Resources permitting, ELP may represent individuals who are defendants
in civil lawsuits.
What Types of Cases Does ELP Exclude?
ELP does not handle criminal cases or fee-producing cases such as medical malpractice, accident, disability and workers' compensation. Low-income people involved in criminal matters may obtain legal representation through the Public Defender's Office. For fee-producing cases you may consult members of the private bar.
What Legal HELP Does ELP Provide?
If you are eligible, ELP will provide you with an attorney or paralegal to offer advice and counseling, prepare and review legal documents and represent you in court or before government agencies such as the Social Security Administration or the Department of Public Welfare. ELP also represents and provides training in legal rights to eligible client groups such as tenant, community and welfare recipient organizations.
How Can I Get HELP From ELP?
ELP sees people only by appointment at various senior centers throughout Allegheny County. Before you can arrange an interview with ELP, you must be registered in the Adult Services/Area Agency on Aging system. You then may schedule an appointment by calling the senior center in your area. If you do not know the telephone number or location of the senior center nearest to you, please call the Area Agency on Aging at (412) 350-5460.
How Can I HELP ELP HELP Others?
Quality legal services are expensive and costs continue to rise. To meet these obligations, ELP seeks support from a variety of private foundations and corporations, as well as the Area Agency on Aging and individual donors. Your contribution in any amount would be most welcome. You may send your tax-deductible contribution to the Elderly Law Project office located at:
Neighborhood
Legal Services Association
928 Penn Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3799
NLSA is a charitable organization registered in Pennsylvania. A copy of the official registration and financial information of Neighborhood Legal Services Association may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free within Pennsylvania 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement. Federal regulations applying to NLSA require that we notify all donors that no funds can be expended by NLSA for any activity prohibited under P.L. 104-134 or otherwise prohibited by 45 C.F.R. §1600 et seq.
Main Office: 928 Penn Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3799
Telephone: (412) 255-6700
Toll-Free: 1-866-761-6572
Fax: (412) 355-0168
