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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 15, 2008

A Capitol Perspective
A column by State Senator Pat Browne
16th Senatorial District

Free Legal Advice Available for Seniors

There may come a time in the life of a senior citizen when they need some legal advice or assistance, but are unable to afford the cost. Fortunately, there is free help and support available to senior citizens (60 years and older).  

The Pennsylvania SeniorLAW Helpline is a toll-free, statewide, legal information, advice and referral service for Pennsylvania senior citizens. It’s a free and confidential telephone service, voluntarily staffed by attorneys. The number is 1-877-PA SR LAW (1-877-727-7529).

The helpline provides free legal information, advice and referrals on a variety of topics, including:

• Consumer problems (credit, debt, bankruptcy)
• Health care, including Medicare Part D
• Estate planning (wills, powers of attorney)
• Pensions – government and private
• Family law (divorce, custody, domestic violence)
• Housing (landlord-tenant, deeds, utilities)
• And, many other areas of the law

The helpline provides interpretation services in 150 languages.

This wonderful service is offered by the SeniorLAW Center (formerly Senior Citizen Judicare Project), a nonprofit agency founded in 1978 by members of the Philadelphia Bar Association.

The project is made possible with the support of federal funds and the Interest on Lawyers Trust Account (IOLTA), which was established in 1988 as a means to raise money to provide civil legal services to the poor and disadvantaged of Pennsylvania.

The helpline is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It’s not a 24-hour “hotline.” If you or someone you know are at risk of abuse or neglect, call your county Area Agency on Aging. The local numbers are: Lehigh County, (610) 782-3034; Monroe County, (570) 420-3735; and, Northampton County, (610) 559-3270.

For more information on the helpline and the SeniorLaw Center, visit www.seniorlawcenter.org. 

Contact:           Matt Moyer     (610-821-8468)

State Senator Pat Browne represents the 16th Senatorial District and serves as Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.