COMMUNITY MEDIATION CENTER

Clients may be able to utilize the Community Mediation Center (CMC) for disputes regarding divorce, custody, visitation, landlord/tenant, and contract issues.

The fees are based on a sliding scale or free if court referred. For more information or a free consultation call the Community Mediation Center at (757) 480-2777 or email info@conflictcrushers.org. The website address is www.ConflictCrushers.org.

CONSUMER CREDIT COUNSELING SERVICE

Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) provides credit counseling to LASEVA clients at no charge.

New bankruptcy laws require the completion of a credit counseling seminar prior to filing a bankruptcy case. CCCS provides our clients, who complete the seminar, a certificate of completion, to be filed with the court. This seminar normally costs $50, but is free to our clients.

The seminar can be completed on the internet or over the phone. Once completed, a certificate will be mailed to the client and to the client's attorney. Call us to find out how to access this service.

HOSPITAL DEBT

Many of our clients have hospital debt. In our application process, we try to gather information from the applicants, so that we can offer advice on the Charity Care and Financial Assistance Programs, where appropriate.

Charity Care and Financial Assistance is available by application at all the hospitals in LASEVA's service area. The guidelines vary, but in general, anyone under 200% of the Federal Poverty Guideline (FPL) should qualify for some kind of financial assistance. All of our clients at or below 100% of the FPL qualify for Charity Care, which forgives the ENTIRE hospital bill. 

Regardless of what legal issue our clients contact us about, those who have hospital debt are advised regarding the hospital programs and are given contact numbers to the Patient Accounts Departments of each hospital. It may even be possible to obtain relief from hospital debt that is currently being handled at the lawsuit level.

MEDICAL-LEGAL PARTNERSHIP

This program is currently in development. A Medical-Legal Partnership (MLP) is a collaboration between legal aid programs and health service providers which seeks to streamline access to legal services for families in need. In order to address some of the social determinants that can negatively impact health and in an effort to improve long term health and developmental outcomes for families and their children, MLP clients are referred by medical staff to legal aid attorneys who then assist families with legal issues, such as housing matters, special education, public benefits (WIC, Medicaid, FAMIS, food stamps, and denial of unemployment benefits), as well  as Social Security Disability, domestic violence, family law and consumer issues.

OASIS

The Oasis Opportunity Center is a program located in Portsmouth, Virginia. They provide life skills training, employment, and housing assistance to homeless persons in an effort to improve their lives.

 LASEVA has partnered with Oasis to assist homeless persons in obtaining a copy of their birth certificate. Many homeless persons do not have proper identification because they cannot obtain a birth certificate. Once a homeless person has proper identification, they can apply for social services, jobs, bank accounts, and generally the essentials needed in everyday life.

PARTNERSHIP FOR PRESCRIPTION ASSISTANCE

LASEVA is committed to providing as much of a holistic approach to helping people as possible. As part of the intake process, applicants who do not have prescription drug coverage are offered the contact number to the Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA), which is 1-888-477-2669. The PPA covers more than 2,500 brand name and generic medications at low cost or no cost to those who do not have prescription coverage and can't afford their medications.

PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION PROJECT

We assist clients, who do not have all the required identification or documents, in obtaining a birth certificate, a delayed birth certificate, a court ordered record of birth, a DMV license or an identification card.

SECOND SATURDAY SEMINARS

The Second Saturday seminars sponsored by Hofheimer/Ferrebee P.C., are for women only, and explore the legal, financial, and psychological issues of divorce. They are held on Saturday mornings from 8:30 a.m. to noon in Chesapeake, Newport News and Virginia Beach, and on the third Tuesday of every month from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in Virginia Beach.

In support of LASEVA, these seminars are offered to our clients free of charge. Please contact us to find out how to access these seminars for free. For the general public, the fee is $30. For more information on speakers and events, call (757) 456-1574.

UNION MISSION OUTREACH 

LASEVA provides legal services to clients at the Union Mission Homeless Shelter on the 2nd Thursday of every month.