One missing detail can mean the difference between having medical coverage and living without insurance

Sometimes it's just one detail that can be the determinant for whether or not a person can access public benefits.  Mr. D  had applied for Medical Assistance coverage for himself, his wife, his two young children, and his mother who lived with them. When the County Assistance Office informed him that everyone in the household except his wife, who speaks no English, was found eligible for coverage, Mr. D. knew something was amiss. 

Mr. D. contacted LASP to help him appeal the decision. His LASP attorney discovered that the County Assistance Office was missing one very important piece of the story -- Mr.D.'s wife was a naturalized U.S. citizen. Without this information, the County Assistance Office had deemed her ineligible for medical coverage. But with this information, the family could now feel secure that the medical needs of everyone in their household would be covered.

Helping Seniors Access Legal Resources

Every year, Susan Strong, Esq., Staff Attorney in LASP's Norristown, Montgomery County office, reaches out to all of the senior centers in the county. She offers them the opportunity to have a LASP advocate speak about the particular legal issues often faced by seniors.

Ms. Strong recently gave a presentation at Encore Experiences in Harleysville on wills, powers of Attorney, and health care advance directives, a few of the issues that most frequently concern older citizens.

"Senior centers offer an excellent way to let seniors know about legal resources," says Ms. Strong. "Working with the senior centers in our area means LASP can increase its reach into the community and help more seniors who may be in need," she adds.

Other senior centers where LASP has presented include the Senior Adult Activities Centers in Norristown and Ambler, Generations of Indian Valley in Souderton, the Advanced Living Community in Hatfield, Kleinlife in Elkins Park and the PEAK Center in Lansdale.