MEETING - Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County

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health & wellbeing meeting the need: • Nearly 500 low-income individuals received legal advice and/or representation relating to health care and health coverage • Held 6 off-site Share of Cost Clinics staffed by Legal Aid attorneys and volunteer attorneys providing legal advice to over 80 individuals • Represented the low-income community at 115 meetings with community coalitions, government agencies and community based organizations aimed at increasing access to health care and health coverage for the low-income community Alicia is a severely disabled woman; she is deaf and unable to read or communicate. Since Alicia’s disabilities are so complex, her health care affairs are dealt with through an Independent Program Plan managed by the Golden Gate Regional Center. When the Regional Center tried to schedule a regular medical appointment for Alicia they were told Alicia’s Medi-Cal coverage had been discontinued. Apparently, the annual renewal form had not been completed. Upon further investigation, it was found that Medi-Cal had incorrectly mailed the renewal form to Alicia’s home instead of the Regional Center. As a result of Legal Aid’s Health Consumer Center’s (HCC) outreach into the community, the Regional Center knew to call Legal Aid. The HCC attorney immediately requested a Medi-Cal hearing concerning the discontinuance, and upon further research, discovered that Alicia qualified for a special Medi-Cal program called the Working Disabled Program. This program allowed Alicia to continue with Medi-Cal and only pay a small monthly premium rather than the large monthly share of cost she was previously paying. Once the attorney had Alicia enrolled in the Working Disabled Program, she provided the Regional Center with additional training and material on what to do in the future if Alicia’s Medi-Cal was cut off again. Alicia and her representatives at the Regional Center are grateful that Alicia can now afford to obtain the medical care she needs. 6
shelter meeting the need: • Legal Aid’s HomeSavers project serves approximately 1600 households per year • 20 to 30 families are seen every week at three off-site housing clinics staffed by Legal Aid and volunteers • The HomeSavers Project relies heavily on volunteers who provide approximately 35 hours of free legal services each week A few years ago, Tuan, his wife and their children lived in a twobedroom apartment, working hard every day to pursue their dreams. But all that changed very quickly when Tuan was in a serious car accident and suffered a traumatic brain injury. Tuan was no longer able to work, and although the family had a housing subsidy voucher that helped cover a portion of the monthly rent, it was not enough. The family fell behind on their rent, and Tuan’s wife and children left him, leaving Tuan alone, disabled and unable to pay the rent. Eventually, Tuan’s landlord threatened to evict him. Tuan was at risk of losing his housing subsidy voucher because, under the Housing Authority rules, a tenant cannot keep the voucher if back rent is owed. Fortunately, through Tuan’s Vietnamese community, Tuan learned about Legal Aid and the housing clinic held at Fair Oaks Community Center in Redwood City. With the help of a Legal Aid attorney who is fluent in Vietnamese, Tuan was able to communicate his needs and the attorney could explain clearly what was happening at every step of the way. The attorney negotiated with the landlord to forgive all the back rent in return for Tuan’s departure by a certain date. Even though Tuan had nowhere to live, his housing subsidy voucher was saved. However, because of Tuan’s inability to speak or read English fluently, and because of his mental disability and lack of income, he had tremendous difficulty finding a new home. Eventually the Housing Authority advised Tuan the time for him to use the voucher for new housing had expired and he would no longer receive the housing subsidy. Once again, Tuan contacted Legal Aid. The attorney intervened on his behalf and successfully argued that Tuan’s voucher should not be taken away because the delay in finding housing was caused by his disability; and therefore, he was entitled to accommodations under the fair housing laws that protect people with disabilities. The argument was successful and the Housing Authority extended the time for Tuan to find a home. On the last day of the extension, Tuan found an apartment to rent, only to face one more hurdle — Tuan did not have money for the $1200 deposit. Because of a partnership with another community agency in San Mateo County, Legal Aid was able to help Tuan with the deposit. Tuan finally received the keys to his new home and is no longer homeless. 7
Page 1 and 2: the MEETING need LEGAL AID SOCIETY
Page 3 and 4: from the president Dear Friends, A
Page 5 and 6: ehind every need...
Page 7: personal safety meeting the need:
Page 11 and 12: protecting seniors meeting the need
Page 13 and 14: Morgan Fong Derek Huoth Zachary Jon
Page 15 and 16: Weil, Gotshal & Manges Sarah Davis
Page 17 and 18: contributions Guardians $15,000 and
Page 19 and 20: Thomas Kellerman Kevin G. Kelly Hon
Page 21 and 22: financial highlights Individual Fir
Page 23 and 24: Legal Aid Staff Executive Director

MEETING - Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County

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