By Denise Etheridge
White County News
People living below the poverty line generally can’t afford an attorney, even if they are about to be evicted or are having issues receiving their benefits. That’s where the lawyers at Georgia Legal Services Program can step in.
Wendy Glasbrenner, the managing attorney for the Georgia Legal Services based in Gainesville, told educators and local community advocates last week that she and her team of 12 attorneys and one paralegal provide legal services to low-income residents in 27 counties across north Georgia. Glasbrenner was the guest speaker during a May 16 Family Connections collaborative meeting at the Board of Education office.
“We are not part of the federal or state government,” Glasbrenner said. However, over 60% of the funding that supports her organization’s operations comes from the federal government, she said. Glabrenner acknowledged that funding for many programs, like hers, are being cut by the current administration.
“So far we’re here,” she said with a shrug.
Glasbrenner said to be eligible for GLSP services, clients must be below 125% of the poverty guidelines set by the federal government.
The group also provides services through the Elderly Legal Assistance Program to seniors who are at least 60 years old and have no income limits and no asset limits. The elder program is open to residents in Banks, Cherokee, Dawson, Forsyth, Fannin, Habersham, Hall, Hart, Lumpkin, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union and White counties.
Glasbrenner said that because the GLSP receives funds from the federal government, they cannot assist undocumented individuals. Clients must be U.S. citizens or be documented in some way, or be battered spouses or children or victims of trafficking to receive services. She said her organization can also represent children who are American citizens even if their parents are not.
InTake Procedures If someone needs services, Glasbrenner advises them to call the GLSP office and speak with an intake worker. She said the intake worker will determine if the potential client is eligible financially for services, and if their issue is one that the organization can help with. Intake hours are between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The client intake line is 1-833-457-7529.
Cases GLSP
Considers
Family Connections executive director Nanette Baughman asked Glasbrenner about the timeline GLSP has for handling cases.
She responded that once an individual is determined to be eligible, an appointment is set up within two weeks. However, if a case is urgent and the caller makes that emergency clear to the intake worker, then an emergency intake interview can be immediately scheduled.
“We can go to people’s homes to meet with them if we need to,” Glasbrenner said.
Some of the emergency cases they often deal with are procuring protective orders for victims of domestic violence, she said.
Other types of cases GLSP considers include cessations or overpayments of food stamps, Medicaid, Medicare and unemployment compensation.
The group may be able to facilitate corrections on some birth certificates or assist with name changes. GLSP also helps with foreclosures, lease terminations in private housing and advance directives and wills for people 60 years old and older.
Glasbrenner said they can also appeal involuntary nursing home discharges and assist in elder abuse cases.
For more information, call 1-800-745-5717 or visit glsp.org.