ELEVEN COUNTIES IN SOUTHEASTERN MINNESOTA
The Senior Citizens' Legal Services program in Winona and Albert Lea offers free legal advice, representation and community education to people age 60 and over living in the 11 counties served by the Southeastern Minnesota Area Agency on Aging. For the seniors program there are not the same income limits as there are for the representation of non-seniors. We serve the following counties: Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha and Winona.
PROBLEMS THAT SENIORS FACE
There are approximately 76,900 senior citizens living in our service area. Of these, nearly 9,000 live in poverty and almost 5,000 reside in nursing homes. Many of these senior citizens experience problems with regard to government benefits, Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, housing and consumer rights.
OUR REPRESENTATION
Our primary service goal is to provide high quality civil legal services through individual case representation and limited advice and referral. Our services are prioritized to try to ensure that those in greatest social and economic need receive them. We also conduct legal education events throughout our service area with the objective of increasing the awareness among senior citizens of their rights so that they can more effectively seek and obtain the assistance they may require. We provide legal education information, either in written form or oral presentations, to other agencies or programs working with the elderly. We do not charge a speaking fee for our presentations.
WHERE OUR FUNDING COMES FROM
Our program is funded under Title III-B of the Older Americans Act by way of a grant from Southeastern Minnesota Area Agency on Aging. We also receive funds from other sources including the state of Minnesota. Donations are also encouraged.
1-800-333-2433
Other Helpful links:
AARP - Public Benefits Updates
Aging Initiative (Minnesota Department of Human Services) builds networks that help meet senior needs and maintain independence.
Benefits CheckUp, from the National Council on Aging
A free, easy-to-use service that identifies federal and state assistance programs
for older Americans.
A Minnesota specific version is also available through the
Minnesota Board on Aging
Consumer Consortium on Assisted Living (CCAL), is a nonprofit consumer-based organization focused on the needs, rights and protection of assisted living consumers, their caregivers & loved ones. Get an Assisted Living Guide & Checklist from The Assisted Living Federation of America.
Elder Abuse Center, Provides elder abuse information to professionals and the public
Minnesota Health Care Directive,
links to Ag Extension Versions (.PDF format)
Simple
and Detailed forms
A Large Print Version (in .doc format),
Health Care Directive, from Fairview Health Services
Minnesota Kinship Caregivers Association, Look for their:
First Steps: Getting Started Raising Relatives' Children, a resource guide and
Legal Steps, the Kinship Caregiver Resource Manual
National Alliance for Caregiving
National Center on Elder Abuse
National Eldercare Locator, Administration on Aging 1-800-677-1116
National Family Caregivers Association
National Senior Citizens Law Center
Nursing Home Inspection Survey - Minnesota Dept. of Health
Nursing Home Report Card - Minnesota, Depts of Health & Human Services
Senior Citizen Property Tax Deferral, MN Dept of Revenue
There are more web sites relevant to Seniors on our General Links page