There is a CLEAR choice for legal advice
July 13, 2016
By: Doug Sheaffer
Email: sheafdf@dshs.wa.gov
Aside from various lawyer jokes, many of us have limited contact with legal-types—until we run into some issue that screams help. Then we scurry about trying to figure out where to go and what to do.
Those who may not a family lawyer on retainer—or an attorney in the family—also may not be able to run out and hire the help and guidance needed. People who are barely getting through the day on a fixed income; people who are trying to decide if they’ll get groceries or pay for their meds; people who are in the category of “low income”—are not immune to legal entanglements.
Fortunately, there are legal services available to help folks who otherwise couldn’t afford it, and in this space, we’re talking about non-criminal issues.
The Northwest Justice Project (NJP) is one such resource and offers assistance for folks over 60, and for non-“senior” folks who fit the above mentioned “low income” guidelines. Both programs are under the acronym CLEAR, the only difference being one is noted as CLEAR Sr. And if you really care about what the acronym stands for, let us know. More importantly than the definition is the fact that these are lawyers who can help for free.
If you’re 60+, CLEAR Sr is your resource and can be contacted at 1 888 387 7111, Monday through Friday from 9:10 to 12:25.
If under 60, the contact number is 1 888 201 1014, Monday through Friday from 9:15 to 12:15.
A third category is the CLEAR Native Hotline, which is free legal services for Native Americans. It’s the same number as the non-senior line (1 888 201 1014), but press 5 to speak to a representative.
I can’t answer the reason for the times, but there it is. You will have to leave your name, number, and the area of legal assistance needed, and you will be contacted.
If you’re more likely to do some footwork yourself first, go to www.washingtonlawhelp.org another NJP effort to get information out to us. The site offers a lot of categories, information and even documents you can download.
Face to face time with an attorney is also available for folks 60+, through our offices. SLAC (Sr Legal Advice Clinics) are scheduled once a month with a local attorney—again for civil (non-criminal) issues. Contact either of the numbers at the end of this column to get an appointment scheduled. They fill-up fast, and we need to know your name, contact number and a general idea regarding the area of concern.
Our staff doesn’t need to know the confidential ins and outs of the problem—that’s between you and the lawyer; but we do need to know enough to give said lawyer a heads-up.
Between NJP, CLEAR and SLAC, that’s probably enough acronyms for today—and by the way: CLEAR? Coordinated Legal Education Advice and Referral.
Information & Assistance
Long Beach: 642 3634/888 571 6558 Raymond: 942 2177/888 571 6557