Surviving Credit Card Debt free workshop in Charleston

The State Law Library will hold a free informational workshop on "Surviving Credit Card Debt" at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 25.

Education Librarian Sara Thompson will explain how to order, review, and understand a credit report, correct misinformation contained in the report, deal with debt collection calls, and write effective letters to creditors. The first 10 people to register will receive a free 88-page workbook with CD-ROM published by the National Consumer Law Center.

The State Law Library is located in the East Wing of the Capitol, Room E-404. Metered parking is available on California Avenue and is free on Saturdays.

The session is free and open to the public, but seating is limited and registration is required. Call the State Law Library at 304-558-2607.

Today is World Elderabuse Awareness Day

There will be a public rally on the north side of state capitol today from 1p to 3p. US Attorney for the Southern District of WV Booth Goodwin will be the keynote speaker.

There will be events held all over the country and all over the world today recognizing that no senior deserves to be abused, neglected, or exploited.

SSA Announces Policy Change on Probation/Parole Warrants

Following decisions in a Second Circuit appeal and to certify a class in a New York district court suit the Social Security Administration (SSA) has issued instructions stating effective immediately it will no longer stop or deny SS/SSI benefits based solely on probation or parole violation warrants.

SSA issued this Emergency Message EM-11032 on 5/9/2011 to field offices and ALJ's explaining the new policy https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/public/reference.nsf/links/05092011035242PM

According to Gerald McIntyre at the National Senior Citizens Law Center (NSCLC) "all cases at any stage of the administrative appeals process must be decided based on these new instructions." The court has not yet determined what relief it will order for the class members in Clark v. Astrue.

Aged and Disabled Medicaid Waiver manual public comment period ends June 30, 2011

The Aged and Disabled Waiver (ADW) draft policy manual is now available for public comment. The manual may be found at http://www.dhhr.wv.gov/bms/news/Documents/110518Chapter_501_ADW_30.pdf . (It's 42 pages, scroll down through the first page to get to the Table of Contents.) All comments are to be sent to DHHR.BMS.Comments@wv.gov. Comments must be submitted by midnight June 30, 2011.

Elder Court in California

In Contra Costa County California cases involving harm to a senior get heard in a specialized Elder Court. The project brings together a wide variety of partners to help seniors get access to justice in ways that respond directly to their unique needs. The partners include senior peer counselors (who provide help and reassurance before and after court), legal self-help support, geriatricians from the local university, pro bono project, senior legal services, elder mediation, and follow up.

Elder Court handles a variety of casetypes, too. Criminal cases, conservatorships, financial abuse, physical abuse, civil cases, restraining orders, small claims, and more. Some types of cases are automatically docketed in Elder Court, others are referred by other judges or other lawyers.

The Court is in session every Tuesday. "The judges are specially trained, too, in cognitive functioning, aging, and elder abuse. It sharpens their insight."

Read an interview with an Elder Court judge at http://cclawyer.cccba.org/2011/03/the-elder-court-interview-with-judge-joyce-cram/.