CCSLS is the only non-profit legal service organization in Contra Costa devoted exclusively to seniors. Our staff is available to advise, and where appropriate, to represent seniors in the following matters:

     Housing

We assist seniors with problems relating to housing including those who face eviction or loss of their home through foreclosure. Among the problems we have addressed are:

            Issues with public subsidized housing, including Section 8

            Eviction defense

            Housing conditions

            Lockouts and utility shut offs

            Predatory lending

            Home Owner’s Association issues

     Elder abuse

The Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act protects seniors in California from many forms of abuse including physical, psychological, emotional, financial and negligent. Unfortunately, many seniors experience this abuse at the hands of family, caretakers, or others with whom they have a close relationship. CCSLS has assisted victims of abuse to enforce their rights against their abusers. Some of the ways we have helped include:

            Representing seniors in court to assert their rights against abusers

            Assisting seniors in obtaining Elder Abuse Temporary Restraining Orders

            Advising and assisting clients victimized by identity theft or fraud

     Individual Rights

Seniors occasionally need help with legal matters that affect the population as a whole, such as with contracts for goods and services or with credit issues. But because many seniors live on fixed incomes, or suffer from poor health, these matters can have a serious impact on their well-being. Some of the ways we have assisted our clients include:

            Providing advice and information on debtors’ rights

            Assisting the client to negotiate a resolution to contract disputes

            Providing information on powers of attorney, conservatorship issues, and individual rights in a senior facility, nursing home or other care facility.

     Public Benefits

            We provide seniors with important and not widely available information about specific areas of public benefits, such as:

            Waivers and reconsiderations in Social Security and SSI overpayment appeals

            Appealing In Home Supportive Service denials and reduction in hours

            Eligibility for Medi-Cal benefits for long term care.

     Outreach

In addition to assisting individual clients, CCSLS participates in senior fairs and provides speakers to community and senior groups throughout the county. Some of the topics we have covered include:

            General information regarding CCSLS

            Powers of Attorney

            Advanced Health Care Directives

            Medi-Cal eligibility for long term care.

If you are interested in CCSLS participating at your event or providing a speaker for your group, call (510) 374-3712 or email Laine Lawrence.

Please note: We do not provide assistance in Criminal Law, Family Law (with the exception of elder abuse), Immigration Law, Personal Injury, Probate or Tax matters. Other cases we do not handle include Medicare, Medi-Cal appeals and Social Security Disability claims.