Kate White,
Executive Director
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Can you believe it? 2009 is almost over!
With less than two weeks until the end of the year, it is time to decide what charitable gifts you are able to make before 12/31/09. At Elder Law of Michigan, we hope that you share our values of empowering people to solve problems, assiting people in applying for help to meet their basic needs for food, housing, medical assistance and utilities, and our commitment to justice, fairness and safety as we work to combat elder abuse and financial exploitation.
This year, we are counting on your to give first and generously to Elder Law of Michigan to ensure that our work to promote and protect the rights, health and economic well-being of older adults continues in 2010. Elder Law of Michigan participates in the Access to Justice Campaign to increase resources for civil legal aid to the poor in Michigan. The ATJ Campaign is a partnership of the State Bar of Michigan, the Michigan State Bar Foundation and Michigan's civil legal aid programs. Tax deductible contributions to the ATJ Fund are received and
administered by the Michigan State Bar Foundation according to the Access to Justice Fund Guidelines.
You can also donate directly to Elder Law of Michigan by visiting our website.
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ELM Holiday Hours
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Elder Law of Michigan will be closed from December 24, 2009 through January 3, 2010.
We will resume regular business hours at 9 am on Monday, January 4, 2010.
While our staff and volunteers are celebrating with family and friends, we hope you will enjoy your holiday season as well.
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Join Our List
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Keep Up to Date with ELM on Facebook!
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PROTECTING SOCIAL SECURITY AND OTHER PUBLIC BENEFITS FROM GARNISHMENT:
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Michigan's New Court Rule Encourages Separate Accounts
By Susan Peters,
Volunteer Attorney
Legal Hotline for Michigan Seniors
Increasing collection efforts by creditors has resulted
in growing concern over the illegal garnishment of social security and other
public benefits. Although these benefits
are exempt from the claims of judgment creditors, seniors and others regularly
drawing these benefits, by direct deposit, have unfortunately sometimes lost
them because of a garnishment. This
situation has prompted a subtle but significant change in Michigan law. Click here to read the article
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OVER 130 TRAINED AT MEDICAID BOOT CAMP
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Additional Training Planned for January
Elder Law of Michigan just concluded two successful fee for service training events. The topic--Medicaid! The Medicaid Boot Camps (one in Grand Rapids and one in Novi), were opportunities for lawyers, social workers and other human services organizations to learn the ins and outs of Medicaid for older adults. Particular emphasis was placed on how to work with the Department of Human Services and be successful for clients in the process of applying for long term care services. Over 130 people attended the events. Early comments and feedback have been excellent! "I am so glad I came!" "The training was excellent!" "I am going to recommend this to my colleagues."
Two additional sessions of Medicaid Boot Camp have been scheduled. The first will be in Lansing on January 27, 2010 at the Library of Michigan Auditorium. The second will be in Novi on January 28, 2009 at the Novi Police Department Training Center. Register today on line at Medicaid Bootcamp.
Medicaid expert David Shaltz will again lead this valuable training. The Medicaid Boot Camp supports the wor k of Elder Law of Michigan so that we can continue to serve low income older adults with legal advice, access to benefits and peace of mind to solve their legal and financial concerns.
We want to thank our trainers from the first events for donating their time and talent to us. We deeply appreciate the contributions of Amy Tripp, Tom Trainer, Laurie Murphy, Caroline Dellenbusch, and David Shaltz. We also want to acknowledge the complimentary use of facilities provided by Gordon Food Service and the Novi Police Department.
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A SPECIAL "THANK YOU"
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To the attorneys who donate their time to Elder Law of Michigan
As the year draws to a close, we would like to thank the attorneys who give generously of their time and talent to Elder Law of Michigan. We rely heavily on our volunteers to do critical work or provide key services that make the most of the public and private funds that are donated to us each year. Thank you so much for giving back to the legal profession and those in need in Michigan. Your participation and dedication are much appreciated. We also are deeply grateful to all of our donors who make financial contributions to our organization.
If you are interested in volunteering (both attorneys and non-attorneys are needed! ) please click here to get started.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Josh Ard, David Becker, Steve Bolerjack, Patrick Bond, Patrick Boog
Doug Chalgian, Roxanne Chang, Caroline Dellenbusch, George Foley
Miles Gerberding, Brett Howell, Sandford Mall, Alan May
Alfreda Menlove, Catherine Metzler, Laurie Murphy, Radhika Pasrisha
Frank Peraino, Brian Plachta, Sam Serra, David Shaltz, Kevin Stanko
Paul Sturgul, Adam Taub, Amy Tripp, Tom Trainer, Sara Zwickl and
Darrel Zolton
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THE NEW FACE OF GIVING!
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Elder Law of Michigan has just upgraded its website to give donors more options, ideas and opportunities to support our organization. In these tough economic times, people continue to want to be philanthropic and to support organizations like ours that are reaching out to those in need and helping them get the basics--food, medicine, housing, medical care, and peace of mind. Now, our website can empower donors to make a gift of any size, of any type and at any time in a way that maximizes the value of that gift.
We regularly work with older adults, helping them plan for their  future and pointing out ways they can save money, maximize their benefits and leave a legacy. We have taken that service one step further to assist our donors with planning their estates, maximize tax breaks and inform them about opportunities to leave a legacy to the people and the causes that they care most about. Even people who can't make a donation right now can plan this year for a future gift. Elder Law is entering its 20th year and we will be around for at least 20 more!
Visit our new website today and try it out! Give first and generously Elder Law of Michigan this holiday season.
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CONSUMER FRAUD PREVENTION STAFF ATTEND TRAINING
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Two ELM staff updated in Washington, D.C.
A reporting, evaluation and planning meeting was held the first week of December in Washington, D.C. Leadership from each  of the seven Call Centers met with Project Director Bridget Small of the AARP Foundation. Ron Tatro, Project Director for ELM's Consumer Fraud Prevention Project, and Pat Ocheltree, Assistant Director, attended the session.
Efforts continue to try and reduce the $4-5 Billion lost annually in the United States from scams and fraud. Current scams include the "Grandparent Scam", "You have won the lottery", Census scams, identity theft and the "jury duty" scam. More continue to circulate and re-emerge. For these reasons, efforts continue to provide educational information to help people avoid these crimes.
Learn more here about preventing frauds and scams. To become a Fraud Fighter volunteer, click here for an application.
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