RESPONSE TO COVID-19

An attorney may be contacted directly for legal advice through the Free Senior Legal Advice Helpline. Call 1-844-481-0973 or e-mail helpline@elderjusticeny.org at any time.

Center for Elder Law & Justice serves Chautauqua County seniors through the satellite office located in Dunkirk, New York. Provides free legal assistance in a variety of areas, such as housing, elder abuse prevention, consumer protection, health insurance issues, Social Security. Substituted Decision Making, Power of Attorney & Health Care Proxy, Health Care Advocacy, Medicaid, Medicare, Private Insurance, Long-Term Care, EPIC, Elder Abuse , prevention, Income Maintenance, Social Security, Pensions, VA Benefits, Consumer Protection, Debt Matters, Creditor Harassment, Identity Theft, Scam, Prevention, Foreclosure Prevention, Mortgage Foreclosure & Property Tax Foreclosure, Housing, Security Deposit Negotiation & Non-Eviction Landlord Tenant Disputes, Assisted Living, Evictions, Western New York Coalition Pooled Trust. Seniors are encouraged to call the office at (716) 261-3275 to see if they qualify for assistance or to make an appointment. Dunkirk office is staffed by Attorney Nicole Parshall, Paralegal Brenda Symans, Social Worker Amanda Chase, and Legal Assistant Kelsie Abbt.

The New York City Commission on Human Rights is charged with the enforcement of the Human Rights Law, Title 8 of the Administrative Code of the City of New York, and with educating the public and encouraging positive community relations. The Commission is divided into two major bureaus -- Law Enforcement and Community Relations.

The Legal HelpLine is a toll free service operated by The Legal Aid Society and Legal Services of Central New York for low-income people of all ages who need help with civil legal problems, including: consumer housing, special education and other school issues, access to health care, divorce and other family matters, domestic violence, employment, disability discrimination and other disability issues, unemployment benefits, Temporary Assistance, Medicaid, SNAP benefits, and other civil matters.

Offers a program that allows family members of people with cognitive disabilities to register their loved one with the police department and provide a detailed physical description and some medical history . Participants receive a free bracelet with a police phone number and their registration number. Once alerted that a person is missing, police can access a database and transmit detailed information to patrol cars, precincts, highway information signs, and other agencies. (631)852-6000; 911 Emergency

Ontario County Youth Court is a voluntary alternative to the traditional criminal justice system for young people who have committed certain violations, misdemeanors or have breached a student code of conduct. The goal of the Youth Court is to intervene in early anti-social or delinquent activities, reduce the incidence and teach new behaviors and coping skills.

This peer-based program is designed to promote education about the judicial process, promote accountability for actions and reinforce responsibility to society through community service and educational sentencing.

The Seneca Nation of Indians Office for the Aging offers information, referral and assistance to senior citizens and their caregivers.

Provides legal advice and referral on consumer debt matters. Legal representation provided on priority cases especially those involving frozen bank accounts. Call for information. Wheelchair accessible Call for volunteer opportunities. (631)232-2400

Provides support for individuals with disabilities as they improve their ability to speak up for themselves and obtain the respect, access, and services they deserve in their daily lives and communities. SILO also assists with voter registration, facilitates action groups designed to make community change, and coordinates disability-related political action alerts. For the community at large, SILO provides technical assistance and resources to businesses and agencies to help them improve their accessiblility for people with disabilities and their compliance with civil rights laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act. When people come to SILO, they become active in the community as part of the solution. Wheelchair Accessible Call for volunteer opportunities. (631)880-7929 (631)654-8076 TTY

The VLP is the only agency in Nassau County that provides pro bono legal representation in matrimonial matters, custody cases in Supreme Court, individual bankruptcy, personal injury and negligence defense, estate matters for non senior citizens, release of accounts blocked by judgement creditors, and various other civil matters.

Provides the courts that handle criminal, civil, small claims, and traffic issues in the local community. Designated parking, elevator, ground level