LEGAL RESOURCES

It is important that Iowans have effective access to legal information and to the programs intended to serve them. If you need legal advice and don't already have an attorney there areseveral avenues available to you.

Private Lawyers

If you need help finding a lawyer, check with the lawyer referral service of the Iowa State Bar Association. Since lawyers may advertise their services, you also may wish to comparison shop through directories or newspapers.  You may find general legal and law service information by contacting:

Iowa State Bar Association

Lawyer Referral Service

521 E. Locust St.

Des Moines, IA 50309

1-800-243-3179

Website: VIEW

Iowa Legal Aid

Iowa Legal Aid provides assistance to lower income families, older Iowans and persons with disabilities who can't afford to hire private lawyers. They also provide about 40 different pamphlets and booklets dealing with such law related subjects as nursing homes, health care, Social Security, age discrimination, funerals, small claims court and landlord/tenant law. These publications are free to low-income Iowans, and others can purchase them at a modest cost.  For more information, contact the central office of the Legal Services Corporation at:

Iowa Legal Aid

1111 9^thStreet, Suite 230

Des Moines, IA 50314-2527

1-800-532-1275

515-243-1193

515-244-4618 - fax

Website: VIEW

Iowa Judicial Branch

This website has useful information on a variety of legal topics, including child support, custody, attorney, court costs and how to complain about an attorney or judge.

Website: VIEW

Small Claims Court

If you have a complaint that you have not been able to resolve and the amount involved isless than $5,000, as a last resort, you can go to small claims court. Fees are minimal and you can often get your fee back if you win your case.  If you need to obtain information on the process ofsmall claims court contact the clerk of District Court in your area or write to:

The Iowa State Bar Association

Section on Trade Regulation

521 E. Locust Street, 3^rdFloor

Des Moines, IA 50309-1939

515-243-3179

Website: VIEW

Drake Legal Clinic

The Drake Legal Clinic handles a wide variety of legal issues.  Students help people who might not have access to other legal assistance.  Call 515-271-2848, 1-800-443-7253, ext 2824, or online at their web site for more information.

The National Senior Citizens Law Center (NSCLC)

The NSCLC was established in 1972 to help older individuals through legal work insupport of elderly poor clients, client groups, and Elder Law attorneys. The NSCLC responds to 4,000 requests for assistance annually.  Requests may be made by telephone, by mail or by e-mail. NSCLC is available to serve in a purely supportive or advisory capacity, as active co-counsel, or as lead counsel in litigation and administrative aging matters.

National Senior Citizens Law Center

1101 14th Street NW, Suite 400

Washington, DC 20005

202-289-6976

FAX: 202-289-7224

Website: VIEW

Crime Victim Compensation Program

If you are a victim of crime, the Iowa Attorney General's office's crime victim compensation program may be of assistance.  For information about the program contact:

Iowa Attorney General's Office

Crime Victim Compensation Program

Lucas Building, Ground Floor

Des Moines, IA 50319

1-800-373-5044

515-281-5044

FAX: 515-281-8199

Website: VIEW

email: awhall@ag.state.ia.us

Additional Legal Resources

The Iowa Senior Citizens' Handbook is a wonderful in-depth handbook that contains legal and resource information. It was produced by the Young Lawyers Section of the Iowa State Bar Association. It is available FREE by writing to:

Iowa State Bar Association

Office of the Secretary

521 E. Locust

Des Moines, IA 50309

515-243-3179

FINANCIAL RESOURCES

State Banking Authorities

If you have any questions concerning banking or suspect that a banking error has occurred, the Superintendent of Banking can assist you.

Iowa Division of Banking

200 East Grand Avenue, Suite 300

Des Moines, IA 50309

1-800-972-2018

515-281-4014

FAX: 515-281-4862

Website: VIEW

Credit Resources

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has a variety of pamphlets available on their web site concerning consumer and business credit.

How to contact the three major credit bureaus:

Equifax - Website:VIEW
To order your report, call: 800-685-1111 or write:
P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241

To report fraud, call: 800-525-6285 and write:
P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
Hearing impaired call 1-800-255-0056 and ask the operator to call the Auto Disclosure Line at 1-800-685-1111 to request a copy of your report.

Experian - Website: VIEW
To order your report, call: 888-EXPERIAN (397-3742) or write:
P.O. Box 2002, Allen TX 75013

To report fraud, call: 888-EXPERIAN (397-3742) and write:
P.O. Box 9530, Allen TX 75013
TDD: 1-800-972-0322

Trans Union - Website: VIEW
To order your report, call: 800-888-4213 or write:
P.O. Box 1000, Chester, PA 19022

To report fraud, call: 800-680-7289 and write:
Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92634
TDD: 1-877-553-7803

Business Investments

Many people looking for ways to supplement their income end up losing their savings infraudulent or misrepresented schemes. The FTC has acted to make wise investing easier by requiring companies to give potential buyers a prospectus containing critical financial information about the franchise and its earning potential. Consumers considering investing in a franchise business should ask for the prospectus before making a decision. Website: VIEW

Tax Resources

Numerous changes are made each year with the tax laws that affect the payment ofincome taxes. The IRS website can answer many of your questions, or you could call the tollfree number:

Internal Revenue Service

1-800-829-1040 pr 151-284-4240

Website: VIEW

If you are not satisfied with the way a local IRS office handles the resolution of the problem, report it to:

Problem Resolution Office

Internal Revenue Service

210 Walnut Street

Des Moines, IA 50305

515-284-4240

Iowa Department of Revenue

If you have questions concerning state taxes you can call the Department of Revenue. Additionally, if you meet necessary guidelines, the department can provide you information on your property tax credit or rent reimbursement.

Iowa Department of Revenue

1-800-367-3388or515-281-3114.

Website: VIEW

Property Taxes

If you have questions about property tax, your county assessor can help.  Visit this web site if you need help locating your county assessor.

Social Security

The Social Security Act and related laws established a number of programs which have the basic objectives of providing for the material needs of individuals and families, protecting aged and disabled persons against the expenses of illnesses that could otherwise exhaust their savings, keeping families together, and giving children the opportunity to grow up in health and security.

Social Security Hotline

1-800-772-1213

TTY: 1-800-325-0778

Website: VIEW

Depending upon your circumstances, you may be eligible for retirement benefits from the Veterans Administration or the Railroad Retirement Board.

Veterans Affairs Regional Office

Federal Building

210 Walnut Street

Des Moines, IA 50309-9825

1-800-827-1000

Fax: 515-323-7407

Website: VIEW

Railroad Retirement Board

Federal Building

210 Walnut Street, Room 921

Des Moines, IA 50309-9825

1-800-808-0772

515-284-4344

FAX: 515-284-4616

Website: VIEW

E-mail: desmoines@rrb.gov

Eligibility for Social Security Benefits depends on how long you have monetarily contributed as a worker. In order to qualify for retirement, disability or survivors' benefits for your family, you must have a certain number of years of coverage.  Because of longer life expectancies, full retirement age varies with your date of birth. Please see the chart below to determine the age at which you may retire with full benefits. You may retire as early as age 62, but the amount you receive will be less than at your full retirement age.

Age To Receive Full Social Security Benefits

What about disability benefits?

For a worker to qualify for disability benefits, he or she must be unable to engage in anysubstantial, gainful employment due to a physical or mental impairment that either: (1) isexpected to result in death; or (2) has lasted or is expected to last for at least 12 months.  To beeligible for disability payments, you must meet the following tests:

• You must have the same amount of work credit that would be required if you reached retirement age in the year you were disabled.
• You must have 20 quarters (5 years) of coverage out of the preceding 40 calendar quarters (10 years) before you qualify as disabled.

NOTE: For those disabled by blindness, point (1) above is required but not point (2).Also, different requirements exist for workers who become disabled before they reach age31.

How much should I expect?

Being covered or insured only means that you and your family can receive benefits. Theamount you receive in monthly paychecks depends on the average yearly earnings of your working career under Social Security. These basic benefits are now automatically adjusted upward every January to keep pace with the cost of living.

If you are nearing retirement, and would like an estimate of your retirement benefits youshould contact your local  Social Security Administration office and request a copy of the leaflet:Estimating Your Social Security Retirement Check.  You may also call the Social Security Hotline at 1-800-772-1213 to request a benefits estimate.

When should I contact my Social Security office?

Sometimes a person is uncertain whether he or she qualifies for Social Security. In many cases, that doubt causes a person to lose those benefits to which he is entitled. Therefore, it is important that you contact your Social Security Office if:

• You are unable to work because of an illness or injury that is expected to last a year or longer.
• You are 62 or older and plan to retire.
• You are within three months of 65 even if you do not plan to retire.
• Someone in your family dies.
• You, your wife or husband or your dependent children suffer permanent kidney failure.

What about Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?

The SSI program is also administered by the Social Security Administration. SSI's aim isto provide a basic monthly income to persons who are blind or disabled, or to senior citizens (age 65 or older) who are in special need of financial assistance and who meet the income requirements. Because income requirements change often, contact your local Social Security Office to determine your eligibility. Your home or personal property is not considered as a limitation.  Unlike Social Security, you can get SSI benefits even if you have never worked or for other reasons do not qualify for Social Security benefits.

SSI defines a person as disabled if he/she is unable to engage in any gainful employment due to a physical or mental impairment which has lasted or is expected to last for at least 12 months or is expected to result in death.

How can I appeal if I am denied benefits?

If your application for Social Security or SSI benefits is denied, or if any of your benefits are reduced or terminated, you certainly may appeal the decision.  Appeal forms are available from any Social Security Administration Office. You are allowed to have a friend or relative assist you in any appeal proceeding. You may also want to contact an attorney to help you with an appeal or any other matter concerning the Social Security and Supplemental Security Income programs. It is important to remember that before an attorney can charge you a fee, he or she must petition the Social Security Administration for approval of the fee.

Black Lung

Inquiries regarding Black Lung claims may be made at your local Social Security Office. Billing problems should be referred to the Department of Labor, Coal Mine Workers' Compensation Division.

Department of Labor

ESA/OWCP/DCMWC

1999 Broadway, Suite 690

P.O. Box 46550

Denver, Co. 80201

1-800-366-4612

720-264-3100

Website: VIEW

Other Federal Programs

The federal government offers a wide variety of assistance programs.  This website helps you find government benefits you may be eligible to receive: VIEW