Legal Assistance

Community Legal Services - Elderly Law Project
215-227-2400  

• CLC's Elderly Law Project assists Philadelphia residents age 60 and over with civil legal matters concerning:  personal care home and nursing home admission agreements, residents' rights and quality of care; public benefits including Medical Assistance, Medicare, Medicare HMO's, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security, food stamps, General Assistance, railroad retirement benefits, VA benefits, property tax/rent rebate and PACE; and Medical Assistance estate recovery.
  
  "HOPE" - The Hispanic Outreach Project for the Elderly provides free legal representation by Spanish-speaking staff to Latino elders.  Intakes conducted weekly at the Norris Square Senior Center and periodically at other sites in the Latino community.  Also provides community education on legal matters affecting Latino elders.
  
  Elderly Law Project staff will make home visits to homebound clients.  Services are free of charge. Has Spanish-speaking staff and can arrange for interpreters for other languages.  Staff is also available to provide community education or training for professionals who work with seniors on legal issues facing the elderly.

Community Legal Services, Inc
215-981-3700

• (CLS) provides at no cost to consumers, legal services to low-income people who cannot afford to pay for a lawyer.  They assist the people with a broad range of civil matters such as Social Security, SSI, landlord/tenant rights, utilities, employment, bankruptcy, family advocacy (involving DHS), private and public housing.

Lawyer Referral & Information Service, Phila Bar Association 
215-238-6333

• Over the telephone, clients are helped to determine whether the services of an attorney are necessary in civil and criminal cases.  Most clients can be helped over the telephone.  Referrals can be made to a private attorney or to other agencies.  A $30.00 fee is charged for the first half hour consultation with the attorney to whom the client has been referred.  After this, the fee is negotiated directly between the attorney and the client. 

Small Claims Court
215-686-7987

• This office is responsible for filing small claims and landlord/tenant complaints.  Jurisdictional limit is up to $10,000.00 without an attorney.  Individuals or those corporations in matters of less than $2,500.00 need not be represented by a lawyer.  Only corporations and unincorporated associations must have an attorney.
  
  The minimum cost of filing is $48.00 for claims up to $500.00.
  The minimum cost for claims over $500.00 is $54.00.
  The minimum cost for claims over $2000.00 is $74.00.
  
  The fees are to be in the form of cash or money order.  These costs will be added to the judgment if one wins and collects a claim.  Additional costs will be incurred if a person is suing more than one defendant or serving a complaint out of the county.  Must bring three copies of bills, estimates, contracts or other documents pertaining to the case.  A court interviewer may assist in preparing Statement of Claim.  Be prepared to provide the full name, the nature of complaint, including dates, and places involved in claim.

TempleElderly Law Project
215-204-6887

• Provides free general legal assistance and referral to persons 60 and over. Clients must be residents of Philadelphia.  Offers legal assistance with benefits and entitlements which include; denials and appeals from Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), public assistance, Social Security Disability, Veteran's Administration benefits, Medicare, Medicaid, Healthy Horizons, railroad retirement benefits, nutrition and food stamps.