Bergen County Community Health Law Project:
One Bergen County Plaza, 4th Floor
Hackensack, NJ 07601
(201) 634-2762 or
(201) 634-2763
Please click to their website:
https://www.co.bergen.nj.us/mental-health-law-project
The Law Project Goals:
The Law Project offers to its unique client population legal services which are designated to help them live more comfortably in the community. Some of our specific goals are to:
*help people obtain the most advantageous available public financial benefits.
*help people obtain the most advantageous and appropriate educational and vocational benefits.
*help clients obtain employment commensurate with their current and potential abilities.
*inform patients of their civil rights when in the hospital and in the community and to protect them in treatment-related issues.
*help people secure and maintain maximally independent decent living conditions.
*help clients acquire maximum control over their own persons, property, and affairs, consistent with their own individuals capabilities.
*help people obtain resolution of domestic relations problems.
Description of Services:
The Law Project provides SUPPORTIVE ADVOCACY for its legal clients.
We also provide OUTREACH services to hospitals and transitional programs.
The Law Project is frequently involved in PATIENTS RIGHTS ISSUES. We represent clients in issues pertaining to: medication, confidentiality of records, right to legal counsel and treatment in the least restrictive setting.
We represent clients in cases of MATRIMONIAL AND FAMILY DISPUTES, such as divorce, child custody, visitation, domestic relations problems, child placement and adoption.
The Law Project help clients who require FINANCIAL AID obtain the most advantageous benefits possible. We file appeals for clients whose Supplemental Security Income or Social Security Disability Income has been discontinued and when necessary, represent them at judicial hearings.
Clients are assisted in retaining current HOUSING or improved living conditions.
Law Project Clients have also been assisted in Small Claims Court, in matters of tenancy, consumer issues and creditor’s issues.
Who is eligible?
Services of the Law Project are available to people with legal problems who meet the following conditions:
Age: Clients must be 18 years older.
Financial Status: Pursuant to HUD guidelines.
Diagnosis: Clients must be mentally disabled, with a primary emotional disability. People are not eligible if their primary diagnosis is developmental disability, retardation, organic brain syndrome or chronic substance abuse.
History: Client has been engaged in mental health treatment for many years.
Function Level: Client must require substantial assistance in social skills, vocational or educational guidance and community living.
Residence: Clients may be living either in the community or in a hospital and must be residents of Bergen County.
What is the LAW Project?
The Bergen County Mental Health Law Project is one the community resources designed to help previously hospitalized people make a successful transition to independent living. We are the only agency in the county which addresses the legal needs the chronically mentally ill.
We provide free legal services to eligible clients who are involved in civil clients who are involved in civil matters. As a service funded by the County and the State of New Jersey, we accept only people who are unable to pay for private counsel.
Since 1977, we have represented thousands of clients in such matters as matrimonial or child custody disputes and at Social Security hearings. Our staff of attorneys and a psychiatric social worker provides specialized legal services and supportive advocacy as well as counseling and outreach.
The Law Project accepts referrals from the public and private mental health network, from Legal Services and from private attorneys.
The pamphlet is from the Bergen County Department of Health Services.
https://www.co.bergen.nj.us/mental-health-law-project
This information is from the Bergen County Community Mental Health Law Project pamphlet.
Disclaimer: This comes from the Bergen County Mental Health Law Project and I give them full credit for the information. I have not used this service so I have no opinion good or bad toward this program. Please call the service for more information.
bergencountycaregiver 