Private attorneys agree to take cases for clients who have been screened through the intake process and either need representation in a matter that is not an area of Legal Assistance of Olmsted County's expertise, or where there is a conflict of interest. Areas of available legal assistance may include: - Consumer/financial law - Elder law/wills - Employment law - Family law - Guardianship/conservatorship law - Immigration law - Landlord/tenant housing law - Property/real estate law

Deals only with civil law issues, does not cover criminal law: - Attorneys will only advise on wills and do not draw them up - High priority for seniors with "consumer questions" since so many seniors are victims of consumer fraud Topics include: - Housing - Medical assistance - Powers of attorney - Healthcare directives - Harassing creditor phone calls - Garnishments - Long-term care - Income and benefits issues

Provides legal assistance and educational opportunities and resources. Legal issues covered include: - Debt collection - Divorce, parenting time, custody, or other family law issues - Employment - Impounded car - Landlord/tenant or property - Probate - Purchase or service contracts - Simple wills and health care directives - Any other civil legal issues

- Financial and health care directives resources - Home safety assessment - Information and referrals - Paperwork assistance - Resource assistance and advocacy - Service planning - Veteran's benefits

Helps people develop skills and knowledge to improve their lives and communities. Offers a variety of programs for learners of all ages. Class offerings include adult basic education, arts and crafts, cooking classes, dancing lessons, driver's education, General Diploma Development diploma preparation, health and fitness, sports and recreational activities, writing courses, youth enrichment programs, and more.

Helps people develop skills and knowledge to improve their lives and communities. Offers a variety of programs for learners of all ages. Class offerings include adult basic education, CDL training, child and babysitting safety programs, driving classes, estate, will, and trust planning, homework help, recreational sports (pickleball, skating etc.), walking track, and more.

Deals only with civil law issues, does not cover criminal law: - Attorneys will only advise on wills and do not draw them up - High priority for seniors with "consumer questions" since so many seniors are victims of consumer fraud Topics include: - Housing - Medical assistance - Powers of attorney - Healthcare directives - Harassing creditor phone calls - Garnishments - Long-term care - Income and benefits issues

Provides free civil and criminal legal services to enrolled Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe members. services available: - Answer questions - Go to court - Notary services - Provide legal services - Resolve cases on behalf of clients Program does not accept all cases and may deny services based on criteria of the case and the client. Cases accepted: - Child Protection (CHIPS) - Consumer law and debt collection - Criminal law - Domestic abuse - Elder law (health care directives, powers of attorney, estate planning, probate, guardianships, grandchild adoption/guardianship/custody, Indian trust land/accounts) - Estate planning - Family law (divorce and custody/visitation) - Housing - Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) - Juvenile delinquency - Probate - Public benefits (denial or termination of benefits such as Social Security) - Truancy cases Cannot accept cases such as: - 1st or 2nd degree drug possession - Bankruptcy - Commitments - Criminal or civil cases outside of the service area - Drug sales - Employment discrimination - Federal court cases - Personal injury - Suing other band members for money damages - Worker's compensation - Wrongful termination

Legal services may include: legal advice, review court papers, assist in drafting paperwork, mediate, negotiate, litigate, and/or represent at an administrative law or district court hearing LSNM assists people with low incomes and issues critical to daily life. Cases including: - Consumer: threats or harassment by a creditor or debt collector, paycheck or bank account being garnished, and utilities shut off - Education: children with a disability and need an Individualized Education Program (IEP), wrongfully disciplined, suspended or expelled of a child - Employment: criminal history, denied unemployment benefits - Family: custody, divorce, parenting time rights, understanding court papers, etc. - Housing: contract for deed, denied of subsidized housing, evictions, foreclosures, housing discrimination and accommodation, locked out, and repair issues - Protective orders: from physically harming or threatening to harm an individual or child and harassment - Public assistance and disability benefits: food support, medical assistance or other public assistance, denied necessary medical care and unable to work because of a disability - Senior issues: health care directive, power of attorney, and simple will

Senior Advocates can provide assistance with advanced health care directives, health insurance claims, landlord/tenant issues, Medicare appeals, and Medicare fraud. In addition, PEARLS counslient offers emotional support for depression. These are dementia-friendly programs and support services.

Provides free civil and criminal legal services to enrolled Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe members. services available: - Answer questions - Go to court - Notary services - Provide legal services - Resolve cases on behalf of clients Program does not accept all cases and may deny services based on criteria of the case and the client. Cases accepted: - Child Protection (CHIPS) - Consumer law and debt collection - Criminal law - Domestic abuse - Elder law (health care directives, powers of attorney, estate planning, probate, guardianships, grandchild adoption/guardianship/custody, Indian trust land/accounts) - Estate planning - Family law (divorce and custody/visitation) - Housing - Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) - Juvenile delinquency - Probate - Public benefits (denial or termination of benefits such as Social Security) - Truancy cases Cannot accept cases such as: - 1st or 2nd degree drug possession - Bankruptcy - Commitments - Criminal or civil cases outside of the service area - Drug sales - Employment discrimination - Federal court cases - Personal injury - Suing other band members for money damages - Worker's compensation - Wrongful termination

Provides the following services: - Health care referrals - Advance Directives - Living wills - Nursing Home placement - Mental Health referrals - Patient advocacy - Discharge planning coordinator - Public education

Provides court-appointed guardians and conservators to support individuals who need help making decisions regarding their health care, living situation, and/or finances

Provide a variety of events and classes for education and support. Classes may include: - Advance Care Planning - Pre-Diabetes classes - Pregnancy and infant loss support group

Provides information, resources, and referrals for services to older adults and their caregivers. Assistance may include application assistance with financial programs, homecare and support group resources, healthcare directive completion, food programs, issues related to caring for someone living with dementia and more. Advocates can assist by telephone, home visit, or a family meeting.

Legal services may include: legal advice, review court papers, assist in drafting paperwork, mediate, negotiate, litigate, and/or represent at an administrative law or district court hearing LSNM assists people with low incomes and issues critical to daily life. Cases including: - Consumer: threats or harassment by a creditor or debt collector, paycheck or bank account being garnished, and utilities shut off - Education: children with a disability and need an Individualized Education Program (IEP), wrongfully disciplined, suspended or expelled of a child - Employment: criminal history, denied unemployment benefits - Family: custody, divorce, parenting time rights, understanding court papers, etc. - Housing: contract for deed, denied of subsidized housing, evictions, foreclosures, housing discrimination and accommodation, locked out, and repair issues - Protective orders: from physically harming or threatening to harm an individual or child and harassment - Public assistance and disability benefits: food support, medical assistance or other public assistance, denied necessary medical care and unable to work because of a disability - Senior issues: health care directive, power of attorney, and simple will

Deals only with civil law issues, does not cover criminal law: - Attorneys will only advise on wills and do not draw them up - High priority for seniors with "consumer questions" since so many seniors are victims of consumer fraud Topics include: - Housing - Medical assistance - Powers of attorney - Healthcare directives - Harassing creditor phone calls - Garnishments - Long-term care - Income and benefits issues

Patient Call Center: (612)467-1100 Applying for and determining eligibility for VA health care benefits: Apply online or complete an Application for Health Care Benefits (Form 10-10EZ) and mail to Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Patient Access Center (17A1), One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN 55417. (877)-222-VETS, 7 am - 7 pm Monday - Friday. Visit website for more information https://www.minneapolis.va.gov/patients/eligibility.asp or https://www.choose.va.gov/health/ Scheduling Appointments: Visit website for detailed information on how to make an appointment by phone or online https://www.minneapolis.va.gov/patients/appointments.asp. AudioCare provides the option to cancel, confirm, or reschedule an existing appointment 24 hours/7 days a week, (855)560-1721. Access to Care website provides information to help decide the best VA location to receive care, https://www.accesstocare.va.gov/ Lodging Options: There are several choices in overnight accommodation and transportation for patients or families of military service members being treated at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center. For assistance and complete information, call the Lodging Office (866)414-5058 ext. 4289 or (612)467-4289, 8 am - 4:30 pm Monday - Friday. Visit website for more information https://www.minneapolis.va.gov/visitors/visi_lodging.asp Veterans Health Identification Card (VHIC): The VHIC is issued only to veterans who are eligible for VA medical benefits and only for the purpose of identification and check-in for VA medical appointments. Veterans do not need a VA identification card to access VA health care. Visit the Eligibility & Enrollment Desk in the Flag Atrium near the main entrance, or call (877)222-8387. Advance Directives: A legal form that helps doctors and family members understand the patients wishes about medical and mental health care. Customer Service/Patient Advocates: Provides personal attention and works on behalf of veterans and their families and caregivers to address and resolve important issues related to individuals concerns and rights as a patient. Compliments, complaints or concerns about patient care quality and safety can be directed to Patient Advocates at (612)467-2106. Billing and Insurance: (866)347-2352 Release of Information: Processes requests for medical records and assists providers with completing forms for patients. The Release of Information Office is located in the basement between the center elevators and the outpatient elevators, room BR-105, across from the Blood Draw clinic, (612)467-1992, fax number is (612)467-2197. Caregiver Support Program: Caregiver Support Program (612)467-5405, Caregiver Support Line (855)260-3274, and Services For Family Caregivers of Veterans, Minneapolis (612)467-5405, Saint Cloud (320)252-1670 ext. 7283. Chaplain Service: Offers pastoral care and spiritual counseling to all patients, their families, and the hospital staff. Worships services are held every day of the week and Chaplains are available for individual visits, Chaplain Service Office, First Floor, Flag Atrium, (612)467-2027 ext. 31-2027, 8 am - 4:30 pm Monday - Friday. Community Care: Provides Veterans with local care in the community through approved non-VA medical providers for the Minneapolis VA Health Care System and VA Clinics. Veterans may be able to go to a non-VA provider using VA coverage for certain types of health services that are not provided by the VA, (612)467-6565 or (877)881-7618, 8:30 am - 3:30 pm Monday - Friday.

Trained advocates provide information and assistance services. Advocates assist individuals with: - Accessing services and programs - Advanced directives for health care - Caregiver support - Forms assistance - Health insurance counseling - Information and referral - Notary services Senior advocates make connections with other community services including: - Companionship - Home health and chore services - Housing - Legal services - Nutrition services - Transportation

Deals only with civil law issues, does not cover criminal law: - Attorneys will only advise on wills and do not draw them up - High priority for seniors with "consumer questions" since so many seniors are victims of consumer fraud Topics include: - Housing - Medical assistance - Powers of attorney - Healthcare directives - Harassing creditor phone calls - Garnishments - Long-term care - Income and benefits issues

Legal services may include: legal advice, review court papers, assist in drafting paperwork, mediate, negotiate, litigate, and/or represent at an administrative law or district court hearing LSNM assists people with low incomes and issues critical to daily life. Cases including: - Consumer: threats or harassment by a creditor or debt collector, paycheck or bank account being garnished, and utilities shut off - Education: children with a disability and need an Individualized Education Program (IEP), wrongfully disciplined, suspended or expelled of a child - Employment: criminal history, denied unemployment benefits - Family: custody, divorce, parenting time rights, understanding court papers, etc. - Housing: contract for deed, denied of subsidized housing, evictions, foreclosures, housing discrimination and accommodation, locked out, and repair issues - Protective orders: from physically harming or threatening to harm an individual or child and harassment - Public assistance and disability benefits: food support, medical assistance or other public assistance, denied necessary medical care and unable to work because of a disability - Senior issues: health care directive, power of attorney, and simple will

The Senior Law Project provides legal advice or representation for people age 60 or older for issues including: - Social Security - Family law Including marriage dissolution, orders for protection, and third party custody where domestic abuse or child endangerment is alleged, or spousal maintenance is needed - Power of attorney and health care directives - Public benefits programs including denial or termination of eligibility/lack of payment by: Medicare Social Security SSI, Medical Assistance, food support, Minnesota Supplemental Aid, General Assistance, Emergency Assistance, fuel assistance, Veterans benefits - Medicare - Housing including: eviction, foreclosure, poor conditions, requests for reasonable accomodation - Consumer law including debt collection and garnishment - Nursing home problems including involuntary discharge - Citizenship including medical waivers The Senior Law Project DOES NOT handle: - Living trusts - Wills - Estate Planning - Real estate transactions Disability law efforts include: - Reducing abuse and neglect - Decreasing discrimination and increasing integration - Increasing access to appropriate services - Individual and system advocacy concerns

Deals only with civil law issues, does not cover criminal law: - Attorneys will only advise on wills and do not draw them up - High priority for seniors with "consumer questions" since so many seniors are victims of consumer fraud Topics include: - Housing - Medical assistance - Powers of attorney - Healthcare directives - Harassing creditor phone calls - Garnishments - Long-term care - Income and benefits issues

LSS serves as a personal representative for estates. - Serves as court-appointed Guardian or Conservator providing surrogate decision making for individuals who are not able to make or communicate the decisions necessary to see that their needs are met. - Guardians work with a team of community professionals to represent each client's best interest and advocate for meeting needs in the least restrictive manner possible. - Also may provide assistance in managing finances by serving as Power of Attorney when appropriate. - Serves as Personal Representative of Estates, handling disposition of assets according to the individual's wishes. - Also offers a Special Needs Pooled Trust allowing beneficiaries to set aside money for expenses that may not be covered under government programs.

Provides information, resources, and referrals for services to older adults and their caregivers. Assistance may include application assistance with financial programs, homecare and support group resources, healthcare directive completion, food programs, issues related to caring for someone living with dementia and more. Advocates can assist by telephone, home visit, or a family meeting.