Georgia’s Elderly legal Assistance Program
Closson Bass & Tomberlin
114 W Central Ave,
Valdosta, GA 31601-5509.
(229) 244-7171
ELAP provides persons age 60+ with legal representation, information and education in civil legal matters throughout the state of Georgia. It is required by federal law and funded primarily by the federal Older Americans Act.
Program services include:
- Legal information
- Legal counseling
- Case representation
- Legal education sessions to help older Georgians prevent more costly, time-consuming legal problems
The program does not base eligibility on a person’s income or resources; however, federal law requires that the program direct services to those persons 60 years of age and older who are in the greatest social and/or economic need, limited English speaking persons, rural or low income minorities.
For low income persons younger than age 60 meeting certain income and resource requirements, Georgia Legal Services Program, Inc. and Atlanta Legal Aid Society, Inc. provide free and reduced fee legal assistance.
The Division of Aging Services (DAS) administers the ELAP program through the Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs). Contact your local AAA for more information.
PUBLICATIONS
- Georgia Advance Directive for Health Care (pdf)
- Temporary Health Care Placement Decision Maker for an Adult Act (pdf)
- Details of My Final Arrangements (pdf)
- Guardianship Law in Georgia (pdf)
- A Guide to Funeral Homes, Crematories, and Cemeteries (pdf)
- Benefits Guide for Older Georgians (2013) (pdf)
- Distance Caregiving (pdf)
- Medicaid Information for Long-Term Care (2013) (pdf)
- Alternatives to Guardianship with Advance Directives (pdf)
- Georgia’s Law on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (pdf)
- Do I Need a Will? (pdf)
- Apply for services
Atlanta Legal Aid has services for seniors all over the state. Go to this website for a kit for grandparents who need help when caring for relative children. http://www.atlantalegalaid.org
Georgia Senior Legal Hotline
Toll-free: 888-257-9519
Begun in 1998, the hotline is a cooperative project among Atlanta Legal Aid Society, the Georgia Division of Aging Services, the State Bar Pro Bono Project and the Atlanta Bar Association. It offers legal advice, brief services, self-help materials and referrals to seniors throughout the state, handling more than 4200 calls a year. This project serves seniors living anywhere in Georgia.