Helping Seniors Navigate fromSocial Services to Legal Services

Debt and Federal Benefits

Presented by: Megan L Yip, Esq

Today’s Focus

● How can my skills as a social worker help my clients navigate the Debtor/Creditor Relationship?

o Interviewingo Connecting with Experts

Hypo 1: A Pile of Notices

Mary lives alone, but her family is not too happy about it. She has been coming to you for a few months, after a discharge from the hospital. She brings you mail today, notices of money owed. She seems embarrassed and worried about the notices she shows to you. What can you do to help her?

A Pile Of Notices - Now What?

● Interviewing: What Should we ask?

understanding / comprehension general financial situation the specific notices / company

A Pile of Notices - Now What?

● Connecting with Experts: o What Questions Should we ask related to helping

them receive legal services?

o What Next Steps do we take to help them connect to legal services?

Hypo 2: Phone Won’t Stop

Henry comes into your office. Usually cool and calm, maybe even a bit aloof, today he is frazzled and tense. He complains about the calls he’s been receiving at all hours from some debt collectors.

Phone Won’t Stop - Now What?

● Interviewing: What Should we ask?

understanding / comprehension general financial situation the specific notices / company

Phone Won’t Stop - Now What?

● Connecting with Experts: o What Questions Should we ask related to helping

them receive legal services?

o What Next Steps do we take to help them connect to legal services?

Connecting with Experts

● Bay Area Legal Aido www.baylegal.org

● East Bay Community Law Centero www.ebclc.org

Thank Youfor attending and collaborating

*To BACS for hosting

*To Borchard Foundation for funding