The Legal Services for the Elderly Program is funded by the Office for Aging and services are provided by Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York. To be eligible for free legal services, you must be:

• 60 years of age and older
• A resident of Broome County
• Have an economic or social need for legal services

The program can assist seniors in the areas of:

• Simple wills – A will ensures that your estate goes to who you want and will be executed by whom you choose.
• Powers of Attorney – This document authorizes another person to act on your behalf and allows him/her to handle your daily affairs if you are absent or infirm. There are 15 different powers covering such diverse areas as insurance, taxes and pensions.
• Health Care Proxies – This document allows you to designate another person to make the health care decisions you would make if you are rendered incapable of making your own wishes known.
• Consumer debt – An attorney can explain what your rights are as a debtor, help you cope with creditors and discuss bankruptcy.
• Income maintenance issues – An attorney can assist with problems concerning Social Security, Food Stamps, Medicaid, and other public benefits, such as overpayments.

Legal services are provided at the Legal Aid Society office located at 30 Fayette Street, Binghamton. Call 607.231.5900 to schedule an appointment. Home visits are possible if you are completely homebound and no other alternative is available. Outreach is conducted at some senior centers. Please call the Senior Center directly to schedule an appointment.

There are no fees for this service. Voluntary contributions are accepted and used to provide legal services to other seniors in the community.

Legal Aid does not advise anyone other than the actual client concerning any matters.