The Iowa Department on Aging’s Legal Assistance Program serves individuals aged 60 and older by providing legal advice and representation; information and education; and referrals in civil legal matters throughout the state. The program’s role is to identify legal problems and legal service needs of older Iowans and adults with disabilities, with priority given to those who are most vulnerable due to social and/or economic circumstances.
To meet this goal, the Department works with the six Area Agencies on Aging to contract with legal service providers across the state and increase the quantity and quality of legal assistance available to older Iowans and adults with disabilities. Common legal problems concern housing, consumer fraud, debt collection, elder abuse/exploitation, Social Security/SSI, Medicare, Medicaid, discrimination, guardianships/conservatorships, advanced directives, and wills/estates.
The Iowa Legal Assistance Program also provides individual and group technical assistance to legal service projects conducted by the Area Agencies on Aging, legal assistance providers, and others. It also provides community outreach to help older Iowans and adults with disabilities understand their rights, exercise choice, and benefit from services and opportunities.