LGBT Elder Legal Rights Project
Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS) and Cambridge/Somerville Legal Services (CASLS) are reaching out to LGBT elders (age 60 and older) in Greater Boston. The LGBT Elder Project does not have any income or asset restrictions; all LGBT Elders living in the GBLS service area are eligible to receive advice from the Project.
The LGBT Elder Project provides clients with civil legal advice in the following areas: housing (tenancy rights); benefits; home care services; nursing home rights; health care issues; mental health rights; protective service and elder-at-risk issues; and guardianship/conservatorship defense issues. The Project also provides advice on marriage rights and how marriage affects a couple’s eligibility for certain program and benefits.
Regarding marriage, the Project is available to assist LGBT elders who:
- have been denied full marriage rights under any state or federal government benefit program;
- need advice about how marriage may affect their ability to continue to receive such benefits as MassHealth or SSI;
- are worried about what will happen to their home and other joint assets if their spouse enters a nursing home;
- need simple estate planning advice
Interested individuals should call the GBLS Elder Intake Line at 617-603-1776 and ask to speak to attorneys Betsey Crimmins or Deborah Filler. Or visit GBLS, located at 197 Friend St. in Boston, or CASLS, located at 60 Gore St., Suite 203 in Cambridge, between 9am and 5pm Monday through Friday to do an intake with an advocate in person.
Staff will also visit homebound elders at their home, nursing home, or hospital; call the Elder Intake line - 617-603-1776 and ask to speak to attorneys Betsey Crimmins or Deborah Filler .
-Thanks to Ambika Panday, Attorney, Greenberg Traurig, LLP Equal Justice Works Fellow, Welfare Law Unit, Greater Boston Legal Services, (our “SEALS” fellow) for sharing this important information.
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