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Legal Services

Legal Services provides pro bono (free) civil legal services and advocacy for mental health consumers and their families, including representation in Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income, Medicaid, Medicare, housing, family and consumer matters.

Individuals and families living with the challenges of mental illness:

Often sustain economic and social hardships. Legal Services of Mental Health Advocates of WNY offers pro bono (free) civil legal services to help those get the representation they need.

We have enabled thousands of people impacted by mental illness to live independently by advocating for their basic rights and linking them to appropriate community agencies for support, including access to healthcare and education.

Residents who live in Erie, Niagara, Chautauqua, Genesee, Wyoming, Orleans or Cattaraugus counties and have a psychiatric diagnosis are eligible for services.

Our legal services team may be reached at: p (716) 886-1242 | f (716) 881-6428.

Our Services

SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY/SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME (SSI)

  • Appeal of benefit denial
  • Initial SSD/SSI applications
  • Continuing Disability Review (CDR/Cessations)
  • Overpayments

PUBLIC BENEFITS

  • Appeal of benefit denial, termination or suspension of:
    • Temporary Assistance
    • Food Stamps (SNAP)
    • Medicaid (MA)

HOUSING LAW

  • Landlord/Tenant Disputes and Tenant’s Rights
  • Evictions (Advice & Counsel)
  • Section 8 Informal Hearings

FAMILY LAW

  • Uncontested Divorces
  • Contested Divorces (disputes other than custody or child support) on a case by case basis 
  • Child Support
  • Custody/Visitation

CONSUMER LAW

  • Bankruptcy advisement (Chapter 7)
  • Formal complaints to Attorney General
  • Creditor Harassment
  • Student Loan Discharge advisement (TPD-based on disability) 

ADVANCE DIRECTIVES

  • Power of Attorney
  • Other/related advanced directives (limited basis)

 

Frequently Asked Questions

“Thank you for all that the MHA has done for me (and others). I was helped by your team to obtain disability benefits… I am now living far more comfortably in my ‘own skin’ not having to try to work. I am much healthier. A huge thank you to all of you.”
–A.A.