Vermont Legal Aid Inc

VERMONT LEGAL AID PROVIDES FREE CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES TO PEOPLE THROUGHOUT VERMONT WHO ARE POOR, ELDERLY, OR HAVE DISABILITIES AND WHO WOULD OTHERWISE BE DENIED JUSTICE OR THE NECESSITIES OF LIFE.

THE POVERTY LAW PROJECT PROVIDES THE FULL RANGE OF LEGAL SERVICES SUBJECT TO INCOME AND SUBSTANTIVE ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES IMPOSED BY THE RELEVANT GRANTS AND CONTRACTS OF THE VERMONT LEGAL AID, INC. (VLA) BOARD. SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITIES INCLUDE PROVIDING LEGAL REPRESENTATION TO VICTIMS OF FAMILY ABUSE, TENANTS FACING EVICTION, VERMONTERS DENIED GOVERNMENT BENEFITS, AND CONSUMERS SUBJECT TO FRAUD AND EXPLOITATION.

(1) THE DISABILITY LAW PROJECT PROVIDES LEGAL SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES. SERVICES RANGE FROM REPRESENTATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROTECTING CIVIL RIGHTS AND COMBATING DISCRIMINATION, TO ASSURING ACCESS TO NECESSARY SERVICES. TOTAL EXPENSES = 683,689. (2) THE MENTAL HEALTH LAW PROJECT REPRESENTS THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS OF VERMONTERS FACING LEGAL COMMITMENT TO VERMONT PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS OR COURT-ORDERED FORCED MEDICATION FOR PSYCHIATRIC PROBLEMS. TOTAL EXPENSES = 719,578. (3) THE LONG-TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN PROJECT ASSISTS RESIDENTS OF NURSING HOMES AND RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITIES WITH QUALITY OF LIFE OR QUALITY OF CARE PROBLEMS. THE OMBUDSMAN IS AN INDEPENDENT ADVOCATE WHO HELPS RESIDENTS RESOLVE COMPLAINTS AND CONCERNS. TOTAL EXPENSES = 674,284. (4) THE HOUSING DISCRIMINATION LAW PROJECT IS ESTABLISHED TO CONDUCT A FULL-SERVICE, COORDINATED AND COMPREHENSIVE FAIR HOUSING PROGRAM UNDER THE PRIVATE ENFORCEMENT INITIATIVE OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT. TOTAL EXPENSES = 348,405. (5) OTHER PROJECTS INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING: 1. THE HOUSING FOR EVERYONE PROJECT IS FUNDED ENTIRELY BY THE EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM WHICH WAS PART OF THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT. THE PROJECT HAS, SINCE JULY OF 2022, SOUGHT TO INCREASE HOUSING STABILITY AND PREVENT HOMELESSNESS BY CONDUCTING OUTREACH TO ALL TENANT/DEFENDANTS IN RESIDENTIAL EVICTION CASES FILED IN COURT, AND PROVIDE LEGAL HELP TO ALL ELIGIBLE TENANTS WHO RESPOND TO OUTREACH. LEGAL HELP GIVES TENANTS OPTIONS IN THE EVICTION PROCESS, AND SOMETIMES CAN RESOLVE DISPUTES AND ALLOW TENANTS TO KEEP THEIR HOMES PERMANENTLY. 2. THE HOMEOWNER LEGAL ASSISTANCE PROJECT PROVIDES LEGAL SERVICES TO LOW- TO-MODERATE INCOME VERMONT HOMEOWNERS AT RISK OF LOSING THEIR HOMES DUE TO MORTGAGE, PROPERTY TAX, HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION DUES, OR OTHER PROPERTY CHARGE DELINQUENCY. THE PROJECT ALSO ASSISTS HEIRS NEEDING PROOF OF LEGAL OWNERSHIP OF THEIR HOME TO AVOID MORTGAGE OR PROPERTY TAX ISSUES. 3. THE MEDICAL-LEGAL PARTNERSHIP PROJECT WORKS WITH MEDICAL AND SOCIAL WORK PROVIDERS TO ADDRESS THEIR PATIENTS' HEALTH-HARMING LEGAL NEEDS IN A VARIETY OF AREAS, INCLUDING SAFE HOUSING, ADEQUATE INCOME, AND PERSONAL AND FAMILY STABILITY. BY CONNECTING WITH PEOPLE THROUGH THEIR MEDICAL HOME WE ARE ABLE TO REACH INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WHO MIGHT NOT OTHERWISE SEEK OUR SERVICES. 4. THE VICTIMS' RIGHTS PROJECT PROVIDES LEGAL ADVICE AND REPRESENTATION TO CRIME VICTIMS THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF VERMONT FOCUSING ON SECURING VICTIMS' SAFETY, SECURITY, AND PRIVACY. OUR PRIORITIES INCLUDE ASSISTING SURVIVORS OF ELDER ABUSE, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, AND SEXUAL ASSAULT. TOTAL EXPENSES = 4,158,068.

THE HEALTH CARE ADVOCATE OFFICE ACTS AS AN INDEPENDENT ADVOCATE THAT INVESTIGATES REPORTED COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS OF HEALTH INSURANCE. IT HELPS PEOPLE WITH CLAIMS OF DENIAL OF CARE, ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE, BILLING PROBLEMS, COMPLAINTS, AND APPEALS. IT ALSO PARTICIPATES IN HEALTH INSURANCE RATE FILINGS WITH THE BOARD CHARGED BY THE VERMONT LEGISLATURE WITH OVERSEEING THE RATE OF HEALTH CARE COST GROWTH IN VERMONT AND THE QUALITY OF THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.

THE ELDER LAW PROJECT PROVIDES SERVICES TO ELIGIBLE CLIENTS WHO ARE OVER THE AGE OF 60. THESE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED THROUGH A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES INCLUDING REPRESENTING INDIVIDUALS WHO SEEK HELP THROUGH THE VARIOUS AREA AGENCIES ON AGING, DUAL-ELIGIBLE ELDERLY MEDICAID RECIPIENTS, AND STATEWIDE ADVOCACY ON BEHALF OF VERMONT ELDERS IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE AND WITH VARIOUS AGENCIES AND GOVERNMENT SUBDIVISIONS.