RCIL's Benefits Advisement team is here to provide you with information, referrals and advocacy to people with disabilities who are navigating the Human (Social) Services and Social Security systems. We understand trying to comprehend what is entailed with NYS disability and social security disability can be difficult and confusing. We are here to ensure you are knowledgeable about the systems and recognize the benefits you have the right to receive under the American Disabilities Act.

We can assist you with any questions you may have about disability eligibility requirements, how to apply for disability, and other procedures and benefits. We can help you with the initial application and ongoing support in the following areas:

1.Department of Human Services - Public Assistance, Food Stamps, Medicaid and representation at Fair Hearing

2.Social Security Administration - Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicare, requesting hearings and representation and benefits planning programs/work incentive

3.Peer Counseling - Peer counseling at RCIL is provided between two or more individuals with disabilities, to share idea and experiences about living with a disability, in order to gain greater awareness and control over one's own life.

For more information, please contact the Coordinator of Benefits Services at (585) 442-6470.

CDRC works closely with Ithaca and Elmira City Courts to help claimants and defendants sit down and talk about their particular case whether it be a mediation in the office before their court date or an in-court mediator at the courthouse on the day of their appearance. Small Claims court mediation has helped resolve problems including:•Loan or debt disputes

•Neighbor disputes (noise, animal, etc.)

•Landlord/tenant disputes

•Property disputes

•Breach of contracts

The Legal Aid Society provides free civil legal services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. Assistance with orders of protection, divorces, separations, child custody, child support, finances, housing, public benefits, access to health care, immigration and more.

The Ombudsman works to protect the health, safety, welfare, human and civil rights of people living in nursing homes and adult care facilities. They are are committed to advocating for senior citizens and are a vital link between residents of long term care facilities and the government resources able to investigate and resolve their problems.

The NYS Department of Labor's Bureau of Public Works administers labor laws which provide: payment of prevailing wages and supplements to workers on public construction projects and information regarding the requirements when undergoing building/construction.

Our office offers information and assistance on a variety of aging-related topics. The NY Connects program in particular is a one-stop-shop for information and assistance regarding long term services and supports for elderly or disabled individuals. The NY Connects program also partners with the local hospitals and nursing homes to provide care transitions to individuals needing extra support to safely transition home after a hospital or nursing home stay.

Benefits planning include assisting individuals with applications for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Medicare, Medicaid, Public Assistance, and Consumer Directed Plan to Achieve Self Support (CDPASS).

Provides information needed to make informed decisions about employment options

Assists in finding solutions that work best while keeping benefits intact

Notes: Lawyer referral service for Cattaraugus County residents. Will address complaints against attorney hired in the county.

Provides the courts to handle criminal, civil, small claims and traffic issues. Designated parking, Elevator

Established in 1992, Albany Law School's Health Law Clinic provides legal services to families, and as resources permit, to individuals who have legal issues stemming from HIV/AIDS or Cancer. The Health Law Clinic is staffed by experienced advocates and by skilled second and third-year student interns. It also offers community education and outreach programs to increase access to legal services.

The Health Law Clinic is designed to teach student interns to identify and address the legal issues which poor individuals living with chronic health conditions often face. Through faculty supervised representation of clients living with, or affected by, HIV or cancer, participating students acquire a broad range of practical lawyering skills in the areas of client interviewing, factual investigation, case planning, client counseling, and litigation advocacy. Student interns are admitted to practice under the Student Practice Rule. Participating interns typically take from this experience both a heightened confidence in their lawyering abilities and a broader perspective of their role in ensuring access to justice for the needy. Clinic clients typically report that the legal services provided relieve stress and allow them to focus their limited energy on their underlying health problems.

Our legal team can help families:

•Arrange future care for children

•Create wills

•Obtain disabilities benefits

•Address disability discrimination

•Secure public assistance benefits

•Address breaches of confidentiality

•Make emergency health care plans

•Access health care

•Maintain housing arrangements