NCJ Number
53896
Date Published
1977
Length
110 pages
Annotation
TESTIMONY ON SENATE BILL 1282, AMENDING THE OLDER AMERICANS ACT OF 1965 TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR LEGAL SERVICES PROJECTS FOR THE ELDERLY, EXAMINES THE UNMET NEEDS OF THIS GROUP AND ATTEMPTS TO MEET THEM.
Abstract
THE ORAL TESTIMONY, PREPARED STATEMENTS, AND EXHIBITS FALL INTO THREE CATEGORIES: A LISTING OF THE SPECIAL LEGAL NEEDS OF THE ELDERLY, DESCRIPTIONS OF THE EFFORTS OF THE LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION AND OTHER LEGAL AID SERVICES TO MEET THESE NEEDS, AND A DISCUSSION OF THE BEST WAY TO ADMINISTER THE ADDITIONAL FUNDS NECESSARY TO EXTEND LEGAL SERVICES TO THE ELDERLY. MOST OF THE SPEAKERS AGREE THAT THE ELDERLY HAVE SPECIAL LEGAL NEEDS BECAUSE THEY UTILIZE SO MANY GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS; THEY OFTEN MUST COPE WITH SOCIAL SECURITY PROBLEMS, PROBATE PROBLEMS, AND MEDICAID PROBLEMS REQUIRING SPECIAL LEGAL KNOWLEDGE. THEIR INCOME OFTEN FALLS JUST ABOVE THE POVERTY LINE, WHICH MAKES THEM INELIGIBLE FOR MANY EXISTING LEGAL AID SERVICES. TESTIMONY FROM THE LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION GIVES AN OVERVIEW OF ITS SPECIAL EFFORTS TO REACH THE ELDERLY IN SOME CITIES AND STATES. IT IS POINTED OUT THAT THESE EFFORTS ARE NOT COMPREHENSIVE DUE TO LACK OF FUNDS. THE QUESTION IS RAISED CONCERNING WHETHER SPECIAL LEGAL SERVICES SHOULD BE PROVIDED FOR THE ELDERLY AS OPPOSED TO EXPANDING LEGAL AID FOR THE POOR IN GENERAL. THE RAISING OF THE INCOME LIMITS FOR LEGAL AID SERVICES IS ALSO SUGGESTED. THE ADMINISTRATION ON AGING HAS SUPPORTED A NUMBER OF LEGAL SERVICES PROJECTS FOR OLDER PERSONS WITH TITLE III FUNDS. THESE ARE DESCRIBED IN THE TESTIMONY, AND A LISTING IS INCLUDED IN THE APPENDED MATERIALS. THIS LISTING ALSO INCLUDES A BIBLIOGRAPHY. LETTERS SUPPORTING THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION AND A SERIES OF QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE BILL ARE ALSO INCLUDED. (GLR)