The Area Agency on Aging provides direct and supportive legal services through its Legal Services for the Elderly Program.  Legal services are provided to individuals 60 years of age or older who reside in Fayette, Greene, and Washington Counties.

Types of Legal Services Provided

In addition to public and consumer education services in the nature of informative discussions on various legal subjects, other assistance offered by Legal Services includes:

• Consultation and advice
• Attorney representation before courts and administrative agencies such as the Social Security Administration
• Litigation including appeals to higher courts
• Information, legal research, and advocacy in conjunction with other services in such areas including domiciliary and nursing home care, patient’s rights, and pending State and Federal legislation

Types of Legal Problems Addressed

Legal Services provides assistance for civil legal problems encountered by older persons including:

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Social Security and Benefits
• Medicare, Medicaid, and Related Health Insurance
• Sales Contracts
• Credit Purchases
• Home Improvement Contracts
• Debtor Problems
• Bankruptcy
• Landlord and Tenant Actions
• Property Rights
• Support
• Custody and Adoption
• Non-contested Divorce
• Guardianship Defense
• Powers of Attorney
• Wills
• Healthcare Directives

Legal Problems Not Represented

The Area Agency on Aging Legal Services for the Elderly Program does not provide representation in the following types of cases:

1. Any criminal or quasi-criminal matter
2. Fee generating cases, such as those where attorney’s fees are ordinarily taken from the sum of money which the lawyer collects in a lawsuit on behalf of the client (these would include personal injury claims, property damage, etc.)
3. Out-of-state actions
4. Other types of legal problems involving a special degree of expertise such as tax or complex trusts
5. Actions in which the potential recovery to the client does not justify the use of Agency resources

Need More Information?

Southwestern PA Area Agency on Aging, Inc.
Legal Services for Older Adults
305 Chamber Plaza
Charleroi, PA 15022-1607

724-489-8085
Toll Free 1-888-300-2704, ext. 4619

Contact the Legal Services for the Elderly Office Nearest You