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From the Director: Neighbors helping
neighbors
Drug
interaction and over the-counter drugs
What to do when someone wants your Social
Security number
Free legal advice available
Older Americans most at risk for medication-related problems
Free legal advice available
The Elder Law Project of Western Massachusetts Legal Services, funded by Elder Services through federal funds from the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, provides free legal advice, referral and/or representation to Berkshire County residents age 60 and over. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. They provide free help in the following areas:
1. Income Maintenance, including Social Security, Social Security Disability, SSI, Emergency Aid for Elderly and Disabled Children, Food Stamps, Veterans’ Benefits, public pensions
2. Health, including Medicare, MassHealth (Medicaid), Veterans’ Benefits, free care issues, home care, health insurance, long term care insurance, Health Care Proxy, health care access, medical access, disability discrimination)
3. Problems of Institutionalization, including nursing home/hospital transfers and discharges, residents’ rights
4. Protective Services, including mental health, abuse, neglect, exploitation, self-neglect, defending against guardianship and/or conservatorship actions
5. Housing, including evictions, public and private housing rights, bad conditions, utilities, energy assistance, Homestead Act, taxes, mortgages, home equity conversions.
6. Other Issues Affecting Elders, including Durable Power of Attorney, consumer, collection, credit, loans, contracts, custody, visitation, immigration, taxes, insurance, and discrimination
Western Massachusetts Legal Services is also available to meet with senior groups in the Berkshires to present talks on topics such as those listed above. For more information or to make an appointment, call Deborah Marchand, Elder Law Project Staff Attorney, at 1-800-639-1509 or 499-1950.