Evelyn Frank Legal Resources Program (EFLRP)

The Evelyn Frank Legal Resources Program (EFLRP) serves as a legal resource for older persons and people with disabilities, and for the advocates who assist them. EFLRP helps them as they navigate the complex systems that provide access to health care and long-term care.  EFLRP focuses on the needs of low-income individuals and access to Medicaid, Medicare, Medicare Part D, EPIC, and Medicare Savings Programs.

For clients of Selfhelp’s community-based programs, a Selfhelp social worker consults and collaborates with our EFLRP lawyer or paralegal to find solutions to the legal problem. In some cases, the EFLRP legal staff represents the client at a hearing or provides other direct legal representation.  Examples include contesting a denial of Medicaid, home care, or prescription coverage through Part D.

For seniors and people with disabilities who are not Selfhelp clients, EFLRP maintains a Legal Resources hotline at 866.811.5243 that provides advice and information about Medicaid, Medicare, Medicare Part D, and home care. EFLRP does not provide direct legal representation to the general public except in certain cases involving Medicare Part D and related issues.

For advocates, the EFLRP hotline provides technical assistance on Medicaid, Medicare Part D, long-term care issues, and Supplemental Needs Trusts. They also conduct trainings and Continuing Legal Educational programs for social services, health care and legal organizations and advocates. 

EFLRP recently launched a new website that provides extensive information on access to Medicaid, Medicare and other public health insurance programs for New York State residents.   The website is hosted by the Western New York Law Center and is a joint project between Selfhelp, the Empire Justice Center and the Legal Aid Society Health Law Unit. Click the button below to visit the site.

Continuing Legal Educational - Learn more and register today!

Effect of Holocaust Reparations on Medicaid, SSI and Other Benefits: The Victims of Nazi Persecution Act of 1994 creates a special right for survivors of the Holocaust. When they apply for federally funded benefits or services that are based on financial need, the payments they have received based on their status as a victim of Nazi persecution are not counted in determining their financial eligibility for these federally funded benefits.

Email News Updates — If you would like to receive email updates about Medicaid, Medicare Part D and related issues in New York, sign up here.

New York Daily News columnist Denis Hamill asks the public to consider what will happen to The Greatest Generation if non-profit organizations that focus on the plight of the elderly poor, such as Selfhelp Community Services, continue to suffer from governmental cutbacks and reduced grants from foundations.

August 11, 2011  Hamill: Our Greatest shame

In an interview on WFAN Radio, citing examples, Valerie expands further on the legal issues facing low-income seniors. Valerie Bogart , Director of E Frank Legal Resources Program on WFAN  - August 6, 2011 Click Here for Podcast

On August 12, 2011, Selfhelp Community Services led 41 organizations in filing an amicus or "friend of the court" brief supporting the New York City Medicaid Program, run by the Human Resources Administration ("HRA") which the U.S. Department of Justice has charged with filing "false claims" for its approval of 24-hour personal care services.  For more information see http://wnylc.com/health/news/12/
CRAIN'S Health Newsletter August 17th

Evelyn Frank Legal Resources Program is a proud recipient of funding from:

IN THE NEWS

Just the Basics, from the New York State Bar Association Journal

The Neediest Elderly Need Legal Services to Protect
Housing and Subsistence Income, Not Retirement Planning
By Valerie J. Bogart