Legal Counsel for the Elderly

08/27/2026

Two years after contacting the LCE Legal Hotline, a client recently reached out with an update and a heartfelt thank you. ⤵️

The client initially called us after being subjected to inadequate and faulty dental bridge replacement. LCE helped the caller submit a complaint to the Board of Licensure about the dentist’s actions, and that assistance resulted in the dentist and his hygienist being found guilty of defrauding DC Medicaid of more than $4 million.

The client recently wrote to say: “I wanted to thank Legal Counsel for the Elderly for the support…’ ‘Here is what happened…my dentist...was indicted for Medicaid fraud and the complaint that you help(ed) me write was used as evidence against him and I was interviewed as part of the investigation and testified against him in court.”

Since 1975, LCE has provided free legal and social work services to DC older adults most in need. If you or someone you know needs help, call the LCE Legal Hotline at 202-434-2120.

08/18/2026

A 76-year-old client received a threatening letter from the U.S. Department of Treasury saying they would garnish our client’s government pension to settle a decades-old Social Security debt of $1,230. Fortunately, we secured a waiver from Social Security for the debt, and the client retained her full pension of $973 a month.

Since 1975, LCE has provided free legal and social work services to DC older adults most in need. If you or someone you know needs help, call the LCE Legal Hotline at 202-434-2120.

08/12/2026

A 96-year-old DC resident spent six years fighting for justice after a nearby demolition caused extensive damage to their home, including the porch, roof, fencing, and garden.

Today, we're celebrating a major victory: a $430,000 settlement that helps bring accountability and restores stability after years of uncertainty. Stories like this highlight why access to legal help matters.

This victory was made possible through the dedication of LCE Pro Bono Attorney Matt Gatewood of Gatewood PLLC and reflects the impact pro bono service can have on the lives of older adults in our community.

Since 1975, LCE has provided free legal and social work services to DC older adults most in need. If you or someone you know needs help, call the LCE Legal Hotline at 202-434-2120.

08/04/2026

There are times when staff across LCE work together to help a client through a particularly rough time, which is the case of 73-year-old Ms. W and her family. ❤️‍🩹

After suffering two strokes, Ms. W remained hospitalized while her family figured out whether to move their mom to a nursing home or obtain in-home care. At the same time, she was also facing eviction. While an LCE attorney worked on the eviction case, an LCE social worker provided resources to help the family explore care options. Another LCE staff member helped the family apply for Schedule H tax credits to assist with rental arrears, and an another LCE attorney helped prepare a will and other life-planning documents.

Tragically, Ms. W later passed away after suffering another stroke. The eviction case was then dismissed. While we had hoped for a better outcome for the family, we were honored to have given them support during a difficult time.

Since 1975, LCE has provided free legal and social work services to DC older adults most in need. If you or someone you know needs help, call the LCE Legal Hotline at 202-434-2120.

07/28/2026

To help our clients live with some economic security, LCE makes sure older adults and veterans receive the public benefits they have earned. For example, we were able to increase a 65-year-old veteran’s benefits by $17,909 dollars a year, and get her $43,716 in retroactive benefits, based on her service-connected disability – PTSD.

Since 1975, LCE has provided free legal and social work services to DC older adults most in need. If you or someone you know needs help, call the LCE Legal Hotline at 202-434-2120.

07/23/2026

After months of trouble paying utility bills, an 82-year-old client can now keep the lights on and AC running.

This past winter, the client had no heat and remained at risk of future service disruptions due to outstanding utility balances he could not afford to pay on his fixed income. LCE helped him gather the proper documentation and prepared his application for assistance through a new, short-term fund available in DC. As a result, the fund approved payment of his outstanding PEPCO and DC Water balances totaling $1,224. This award provides relief from the debt, and more security going forward.

Since 1975, LCE has provided free legal and social work services to DC older adults most in need. If you or someone you know needs help, call the LCE Legal Hotline at 202-434-2120.

07/15/2026

An 84-year-old woman, Ms. P, had rented her home for 28 years. When it was sold, LCE did everything we could to help her remain in place. Over the course of nearly three years, we advised Ms. P, her daughter, and her grandson, on how to handle the possible transition, and about her rights under the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (T**A).

T**A gives tenants an opportunity to purchase the rental property they are living in when it is put on the market. The property was withdrawn from sale until a new person bought it. The new owner wanted to keep Ms. P and her family in the home, so LCE negotiated an agreement which required the owner to make repairs and ensures our client’s rights are protected.

Since 1975, LCE has provided free legal and social work services to DC older adults most in need. If you or someone you know needs help, call the LCE Legal Hotline at 202-434-2120.

07/07/2026

Have you ever used a payday loan? Our 74-year-old client took out a payday loan promptly paid it back. Five years later, she was surprised when she received an email and voicemails notifying her that the lender had filed a lawsuit over an unspecified balance. The client was scared and planned to call them to pay.

Luckily, she called LCE instead at the instance of her daughter. We did a little digging, found the lender’s actual customer service phone number, and when our client called them, she learned she owed nothing. The client was incredibly relieved she sidestepped a scam and said she will make sure to pause and seek help the next time she gets a strange debt collection notice.

Since 1975, LCE has provided free legal and social work services to DC older adults most in need. If you or someone you know needs help, call the LCE Legal Hotline at 202-434-2120.

07/03/2026