NEW YORK LEGAL ASSISTANCE GROUP. Evelyn Frank Legal Resources Program. Annual Benefit

Transcription

1 NEW YORK LEGAL ASSISTANCE GROUP Evelyn Frank Legal Resources Program th Annual Benefit

2 The Evelyn Frank Legal Resource Program (EFLRP) officially joined NYLAG on April 1, 2013, after operating for 12 years at Selfhelp Community Services.

3 Since its launch in 2002, the Evelyn Frank Legal Resources Program has provided legal assistance on over 12,000 cases.

4 You are a caregiver s angel.your incredible knowledge of this impossible Medicaid system, your compassion, your understanding of my utter confusion, and just that you are always, always there to answer my questions and calm my fears has been such a great help and comfort. Edgar EFLRP client

5 EFLRP assists clients with a range of issues, including: Managed Long-Term Care (MLTC) Social Security & SSI Medicaid eligibility & procedures Medicare & Medicare Savings Program SCRIE The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Section 8 subsidies End-of-life decisionmaking

6 You demonstrated extraordinary professionalism, attention, effort and time to helping my mother get a refund for the financial costs she paid for her aids. Charles son of EFLRP client

7 EFLRP employs 4 attorneys and 2 paralegals, assisted by 5 volunteer attorneys and law students, all of whom are dedicated to protecting the legal rights of low-income elderly and disabled individuals.

8 Most of the arguments and strategies which were utilized by our law office at the hearings we have won this year were based upon information that I have obtained from your various trainings.therefore, you deserve much of the credit for our success. Harvey Sperling, Esq. Daniel Fish LLC

9 The Evelyn Frank Legal Resources Program provides direct legal assistance to more than 1,500 clients annually.

10 I am extremely grateful not only for your professionalism, but also for the caring and considerate manner in which you took the time to patiently explain in layman s terms the complexities of Medicare Advantage options. Joanna EFLRP client

11 Did you know? Medicaid, the nation s main public health insurance program for low-income people, covers over 62 million Americans, or 1 in every 5. Medicaid is the main source of coverage and financing for long-term care, including both nursing home and community-based long-term services and supports.

12 You were always there for my sister and I when we had questions or needed clarification or assistance with forms, letters, or deadlines.you are a kind and helpful person with an abundant amount of knowledge and patience. Robert son of an EFLRP client

13 Nearly 50% of EFLRP s clients receive direct representation before administrative agencies or other intensive services to protect their access to health care.

14 Thank you very much for helping me get back my home care services! I really don t know what I would have done without your help! I am so grateful to you, especially for your fast action on my behalf! Sarah EFLRP client

15 Did you know? Consumers have a right to appeal a decision to reduce their home care hours, but the managed care plans are allowed to cut services even before the appeal is decided. EFLRP is leading the fight to preserve Aid Continuing in appeals.

16 EFLRP helps older NewYorkers and people with disabilities access home health aides who help them with basic daily activities so they can continue living in their own homes and avoid nursing home placement.

17 Evelyn Frank Legal Resources Program 5 th Annual Benefit GUARDIANS

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19 Evelyn Frank Legal Resources Program 5 th Annual Benefit SPONSORS

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21 CONGRATULATIONS TO VALERIE BOGART & DAVID SILVA from

22 THE NEW YORK LEGAL ASSISTANCE GROUP thanks Jeanette Grabie for her ongoing generosity and commitment to helping us serve more vulnerable New Yorkers in need.

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24 Happy to be at NYLAG. Grateful for seven great years with Selfhelp. And, once again, in honor of Selfhelp s Boston counterpart, the Immigrants Mutual Aid Society, IMAS. Ron Mayer Linda Lipitz-Mayer

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33 Your assistance is very essential and valuable. It is always a pleasure to work with such a professional team. Julia Pilosov SocialWorker, Selfhelp Community Services

34 My dad had been denied help, but you went in with past cases with the same circumstances and not only overturned the denial, but managed to get him help 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. I will never forget your dedication in helping my dad. David son of EFLRP client

35 EFLRP s resource-rich website nyhealthaccess.org has received 2.5 million views, and its overview of the Medicaid Spend-Down program has been downloaded 90,000 times.

36 Since its founding in 2002: EFLRP s staff has trained more than 15,000 social workers, health care providers, elder law attorneys, and other professionals. EFLRP has fulfilled over 2,500 requests for technical assistance from social workers, health care workers, attorneys, and others seeking guidance on how to advocate for their clients.

37 Since its launch in 2002, nearly 5,000 clients have benefited from EFLRP s consumer education sessions.

38 You virtually adopted me and my case as your own, worked on it with compassion, diligence and devotion. If not for your personal involvement, my case would never have been settled successfully. Tina EFLRP client

39 Did you know? Since September 2012, enrollment in Managed Long-Term Care plans in NewYork City has grown by a staggering 80 percent.

40 Approximately two-thirds of EFLRP s recent cases have dealt with issues connected to Managed Long- Term-Care plans.

41 Thank you so much for representing my mother in her Medicaid Fair Hearing. I felt that you guided me well and made sure that all the i s were dotted and the t s crossed. I couldn t have done it without you. Cheryl daughter of EFLRP client

42 Every time there is some legal question involving seniors and health insurance that stumps my office I end up saying: FindValerie Bogart, she will know the answer. And you do. Liz Krueger NewYork State Senator

43 Did you know? Consumers are overwhelmed by trying to understand the difference between the five different types of Medicaid managed care plans and deciding which type is best for them and then choosing from among over 50 plans in NYC alone.

44 I am forever grateful for not only your professional efforts, but for your compassion, understanding and kindness as well. Harold EFLRP client

45 EFLRP has led efforts to advocate for vital consumer protections before NewYork State, NewYork City, and Federal agencies that run the Medicaid program.

46 I just wanted to thank you for your time and the information you provided to Office for the Aging. It will be invaluable as we help our clients and the seniors who call the office. Kathy Platt Suffolk County Office of the Aging

47 We are grateful to the Evelyn Frank Legal Resources Program for its advocacy of lowincome disabled and elderly clients. Because of EFLRP, my mother will continue to receive appropriate personal assistant service. Susanna daughter of EFLRP client

48 Evelyn Frank Legal Resources Program 5 th Annual Benefit PATRONS

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51 Best wishes to Valerie Bogart and David Silva! Esther Feigenbaum, LCSW, ASWCM Geriatric Care Manager th Street Forest Hills, NY

52 Valerie and David have always served as enormous resources for our law firm with regards to complex Medicaid, Home Care, and Managed Care Issues. We greatly appreciate their tireless devotion to keeping abreast with all developments in each of these areas of law and to educating fellow advocates with regards to these developments.

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59 Know that we couldn t have gotten through those care taking times without all of you. Alan son of EFLRP client

60 EFLRP staff participate in weekly stakeholder calls convened by the NewYork State Department of Health to advocate on behalf of vulnerable consumers.

61 Thank you for doing the work you have excelled at for so many years. Far more people have been helped by you than you will ever know, and some of us greatly appreciate your continuing efforts. Liz Krueger NewYork State Senator

62 Founded in 1990, NYLAG provides high quality, free civil legal services to low-income New Yorkers who cannot afford attorneys.

63 Did you know? Only 20% of low-income NewYorkers have a lawyer to assist them in responding to matters involving life s most basic necessities.

64 NYLAG will serve more than 70,000 vulnerable New Yorkers in 2014.

65 Did you know? Approximately 2.3 million litigants in civil matters in NewYork s courts are unrepresented.

66 NYLAG SERVES: Children with disabilities Domestic violence victims Holocaust survivors Homebound elderly Homeowners facing foreclosure Immigrants Low-wage workers LGBT individuals Patients with chronic illnesses and disabilities Renters facing eviction Seniors Victims of Superstorm Sandy

67 Did you know? Civil legal services funding returns more than six dollars to the NewYork State economy for every dollar invested.

68 NYLAG has 76 Intake Sites located in courts, hospitals, and community based organizations throughout the five boroughs, Long Island and Westchester County.

69 NYLAG S ADVOCATES: A paid staff of over pro bono attorneys and other volunteers

70 In addition to paid staff, NYLAG leverages the services of over 1,000 pro bono attorneys and other volunteers that donated over 100,000 hours in pro bono services, valued at over $15,000,000, last year.

71 Did you know? When NewYorkers appear in civil matters in court without representation, litigation and other costs are higher and the opportunity to resolve disputes without litigation or to settle cases expeditiously is lost.

72 NYLAG partners with over 600 health and human services agencies across the region to provide crossreferrals and ensure holistic care for New Yorkers in need.

73 NYLAG s multilingual staff speaks a combined 23 languages.

74 Did you know? Judges have observed that the overall quality of justice for all litigants suffers when one party is unrepresented because resources must be diverted to try to assist unrepresented parties.