KEEPING WARM IN DIFFICULT TIMES
With wind chills dipping below zero and snow on the way, many Long Islanders already struggling with the pandemic now face the added burden of extreme cold. The heating season for regular and emergency HEAP benefits and United Way of Long Island's Project Warmth Emergency Fuel Fund are now open.
In response to the pandemic, utilities cannot be disconnected for failure to pay until at least April 1, 2021. But, people facing financial hardship should not wait to seek assistance to avoid arrears that are too high to address at the end of the moratorium on utility disconnects. In addition, people who rely on fuel oil or alternate forms of heating are not protected by the moratorium and may face a cold winter if they cannot pay their bills.
Regular HEAP benefits are available for people with low-incomes even if they own their own home or if heat is included in their rent. The monthly income limit for a single person to be eligible for HEAP is $2,610. Economic Impact Payments (the COVID stimulus) or supplemental unemployment benefits (the extra $300 per week) do not count as income for purposes of determining eligibility for HEAP. HEAP can also help with cleaning and tuning or repairing and replacing heating equipment. Learn more about regular HEAP benefits and eligibility from OTDA.
Emergency HEAP benefits are typically available if utilities are scheduled to be shut off or if a family has less than a 10-day supply of fuel. However, people who would face a shut-off if not for the COVID moratorium should continue to apply for benefits.
United Way's Project Warmth is a safety net for people who are ineligible for Emergency HEAP or have exhausted Emergency HEAP benefits. To be eligible, applicants must demonstrate a financial hardship. Project Warmth provides a one-time grant for fuel or fuel-related electricity. Payments are made directly to the provider.
A list of Project Warmth intake sites is available here or call 888-774-7633. For more help staying staying warm and getting emergency assistance during bad weather visit Suffolk County's Cold Weather Information sheet or visit Nassau County's Extreme Weather page.
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ADULT CARE FACILITY PROJECT GETS A NEW NAME
Same unit. Same quality of legal service. New name! The unit formerly known as the Adult Home Project has received a makeover to better reflect the population it serves. The newly named Adult Care Facility Project is a bi-county unit representing Residents of Adult Care Facilities on matters relating to residents' rights as well as financial, personal, and housing issues. The unit handles resident's rights issues without regard to the resident's income. The unit prioritizes clients below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines for other services. The unit serves residents of Adult Care Facilities, including:
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Adult Homes that provide room board and long-term care to small groups of adults and often serve young adults with disabilities;
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Assisted Living Residences that generally serve adults over age 65 in units that resemble individual apartments; and
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Assisted Living Programs that serve residents medically eligible for nursing home care.
For example, Erika Verrill, the staff attorney for the Adult Care Facility Project, recently helped Mrs. M, a resident in an assisted living facility to restore her SSI benefits after an alleged overpayment. Eighteen months after Mrs. M closed out an annuity, her SSI benefits were completely discontinued, leaving her unable to pay her rent and putting her in danger of being evicted. Mrs. M. provided the Social Security Administration with documentation that she properly spent down the proceeds of the annuity in the first month. Nevertheless, the SSA insisted that Mrs. M had an overpayment of over $15,000. The Adult Care Facility Project helped Mrs. M dispute both the discontinuance and the overpayment assessment. After two hearings, Mrs. M’s benefits were reinstated, and her overpayment was reduced to less than $3,000.
The Adult Care Facility Project has been critical to residents during the COVID crisis. Aside from the serious direct health risks from COVID, residents also suffer from reduced social activities, lower meal quality, and in some cases, serious sanitation issues, which can lead to illness and pestilence in a Facility. Another common concern is understaffing of aids and attendants to assist with residents' basic health and personal needs.
In an effort to alleviate this feeling of alienation from the rest of society, the Adult Care Facility Project issued what we hope is the first of many Adult Care Facility Newsletters, targeted specifically towards the issues and concerns of Residents of Adult Care Facilities during this very trying time.
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PROGRAMS FOR GENERAL AUDIENCES
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PUBLIC LIBRARIES
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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE BRENTWOOD PUBLIC LIBRARY
HOMEOWNERS RIGHTS DURING THE PANDEMIC
Tuesday, February 2, 6:00 p.m.
Presented by Michael Wigutow, Esq.
NSLS Foreclosure Unit Senior Staff Attorney
Many homeowners are struggling to pay their housing expenses because of the pandemic. Come learn about homeowners' rights and options from Nassau Suffolk Law Services' Foreclosure Unit. Topics discussed will include options for working with your lender and the foreclosure process, including:
- NY COVID-19 Emergency Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention Act
- Forbearance;
- Repayment plans;
- Loan modifications;
- The foreclosure process; and
- Loss mitigation options for those who have suffered financial hardship during the pandemic.
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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE MASSAPEQUA PUBLIC LIBRARY
LIFE PLANNING BASICS
Thursday, April 22, 2:00 p.m.
Presented by Dan Okrent, Esq.,
NSLS Senior Citizen Law Project
Being prepared for a health crisis is critical at every stage of life, but many people aren't sure how to get started. Come learn about health care proxies, advance directives, powers of attorney, and basic Medicaid and estate planning considerations.
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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COPIAGUE MEMORIAL PUBLIC LIBRARY
UNDERSTANDING MEDICAID MANAGED
LONG-TERM CARE FOR FAMILIES
Thursday, April 22, 6:00 pm
Presented by Agnes Bonavoglia, Esq., NSLS ICAN Unit
ICAN, or Independent Consumer Advocacy Network, supports people in Medicaid long-term and managed care plans who need services in the community, like home attendants or adult daycare. This presentation for Medicaid recipients, families, and caregivers will describe Nassau Suffolk Law Services' ICAN Unit. Learn about the assistance, advocacy, and representation we provide for Long Island residents receiving long-term care in the community. The presentation will also discuss the benefits and services Medicaid long-term care programs provide. It will explain how to access those services and what rights a participant has. Finally, learn how to address quality issues or denials of services.
Bring your questions about the 2020 Medicaid amendments!
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Pro Bono Attorney of the Month:
Catherine Papandrew, Esq.
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Nassau Suffolk Law Services Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP), along with the Nassau County Bar Association, are privileged to recognize Catherine Papandrew as our most recent Attorney of the Month. Papandrew has demonstrated great passion and dedication by providing full pro bono legal representation to the community through the VLP, especially during the COVID crisis. Papandrew is an Associate with the law firm of Peknic, Peknic & Schaefer of Long Beach, and practices in the areas of insurance defense, personal injury, wills and estate planning, matrimonial law, and general litigation.
Papandrew first volunteered for Nassau Suffolk Law Services in 2013, while still a law student. She provided legal representation for people with low-income who were facing eviction. What is even more impressive is that she had embarked on her legal studies as a “second act” after raising two children and enjoying a fulfilling career in social work. Keenly aware of the “justice gap,” Papandrew has melded the skills she gained in the two professions to address this need.
A cum laude graduate of Pace University School of Law in 2016, Papandrew earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Social Work from Adelphi University, and a master’s in Public Administration from NYU. After graduation and admission to the Bar, Papandrew worked for the New York City Law Department, where she gained valuable litigation experience.
Throughout her years of practice, Papandrew has been committed to donating a significant amount of her time to assisting the underserved. She has represented clients in 17A Guardianship proceedings, matrimonial matters, and drafted advance directives. Of vital importance during the pandemic has been her pro bono assistance to low-income clients to execute wills, powers of attorney and health care proxies. These crucial services empower vulnerable people to choose who will make decisions for them and who will care for their children in the event of their death. Having advance directives in place can also avoid the necessity of a costly guardianship proceeding down the road. Most importantly, advance directives give clients the dignity of self-determination, peace of mind, and a sense of control.
The marriage of extensive social work skills to her legal degree has positioned Papandrew to be a better advocate for those having trouble navigating the legal system. But any attorney, regardless of experience, can use their skills to help a client access the legal system and change lives. Papandrew encourages other attorneys to join her in her effort:
"Everyone deserves the right to legal representation under any circumstances. There is nothing more gratifying than helping someone without means gain access to the legal system. My advocacy can give comfort, peace of mind and dignity to this population of clients, which is especially important during these uncertain times. Helping someone to direct their own affairs is a transformative experience for both of us and the heartfelt thanks received in return is immeasurable.”
In recognition of her dedication to Nassau County’s neediest citizens, The Volunteer Lawyers Project, along with the Nassau County Bar Association, is pleased to honor Catherine Papandrew as our latest Pro Bono Attorney of the Month.
There is no funding for the general provision of matrimonial, guardianship or bankruptcy representation to low income people. Therefore, the demand for pro bono assistance is the greatest in these areas. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Susan Biller, Esq. 516-292-8100, ext. 3136. in Nassau County or Carolyn McQuade, Esq. 631-232-2400, ext. 3325 in Suffolk County.
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The information contained in this material is not legal advice. Legal advice depends upon the specific facts of each situation. These materials cannot replace the advice of competent legal counsel. |
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