Community Health Law Project

The "Nearby Lawyers" platform is dedicated to connecting individuals with legal resources that cater to their specific needs. Today, we focus on a vital organization in the legal landscape of New Jersey: the Community Health Law Project (CHLP). Located at 900 Haddon Ave #400, Collingswood, NJ 08108, USA, CHLP is not a traditional private law firm, but rather a non-profit advocacy and legal services organization established in 1976. Its core mission is to provide comprehensive legal and advocacy services, training, education, and related activities to persons with disabilities and chronic health conditions, with a particular emphasis on those who are most vulnerable and needy. In certain issues, they also assist organizations representing the interests of persons with disabilities.

The Collingswood office, situated in the Station House Office Building on Haddon Avenue, offers an accessible and professional environment designed to serve its clientele. As a non-profit dedicated to vulnerable populations, the physical and operational environment of CHLP offices across the state is typically focused on being welcoming, understanding, and supportive. While specific architectural details of the Collingswood suite are not broadly publicized, the organization's overarching commitment to accessibility, as evidenced by its work on "barrier-free accessibility," suggests an environment where clients with various disabilities can feel comfortable and receive services with dignity. The office is reachable via phone at (856) 858-9500, a number also listed for mobile contact, ensuring direct communication with their dedicated team.

The Community Health Law Project's services are extensive and cover a wide array of civil legal matters, all geared towards empowering individuals with disabilities and chronic health conditions to live independently and with dignity. Their primary service areas include:

• Public Entitlements: This is a significant area of focus, assisting clients with securing vital benefits such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability benefits (SSDI), county and municipal welfare, emergency assistance, and food stamps. Their expertise ensures that eligible individuals receive the financial support they are entitled to.

• Housing Advocacy: CHLP provides crucial legal support for housing-related issues, including habitability concerns, landlord-tenant disputes, and preventing homelessness. They advocate for fair housing practices and work to remove architectural barriers, promoting barrier-free accessibility in housing.

• Health Insurance Benefits: They assist clients with issues related to Medicaid, Medicare, and other health insurance benefits, as well as navigating fee-for-service and managed healthcare disputes. Their work aims to ensure access to necessary healthcare services.

• Consumer Law: This includes assistance with issues such as debt collection, bankruptcy, contracts, and other consumer-related legal challenges.

• Family Law: CHLP addresses sensitive family matters including child support, visitation, and domestic violence. They provide legal representation and advocacy for survivors of domestic violence, though the scope of this support in civil court for suing abusers may vary based on specific program parameters and funding, as reflected in one of the provided reviews.

• Discrimination Matters: They work to combat discrimination in various areas, including housing, employment, education, and public accommodations, ensuring that individuals with disabilities are afforded equal rights and opportunities.

• Advance Directives and Living Wills: Assisting clients in planning for their future healthcare and legal decisions.

• Outreach and Support for Persons with Disabilities: Beyond direct legal representation, CHLP engages in broader advocacy, training, and education to support the disability community.

A key feature of the Community Health Law Project is its dedication to serving low-income individuals who might otherwise be unable to afford legal representation. Eligibility for their services often depends on income, residency, and the nature of the disability or chronic health condition. They operate on a sliding scale fee system for some services, and many services are provided free of charge to those who qualify, making legal aid accessible to a wide range of individuals in need.

CHLP's impact is not just in individual cases; they also engage in "systems advocacy," working to influence public policy and legal precedents to improve the lives of all persons with disabilities in New Jersey. They have a history of successful litigation that has advanced the rights of individuals with disabilities in areas such as housing, employment, and healthcare access. They also partner with healthcare providers through "medical-legal partnerships," proactively addressing legal issues that impact health outcomes, thereby improving clients' overall well-being.

Promotional information, though not in the form of traditional advertising, comes through their mission statement, their long history of service (founded in 1976), and the numerous success stories they share. While one review expresses a limitation regarding representation in civil lawsuits against abusers, it's important to understand that legal aid organizations often have specific mandates and resource limitations that dictate the types of cases they can take. The positive aspiration from Scott Kasperowicz's review, where he hopes for their help in securing assisted living after a stroke, vividly illustrates the profound need for and trust placed in CHLP's services by vulnerable individuals facing complex health and life challenges. This review, though a plea, serves to highlight the specific life-altering situations CHLP aims to address: "I hope and pray to God that this crew of lawyers and experience, lawyers disability patient like myself can you help me get into Assistant living God bless me." This underscores the direct and impactful assistance they strive to provide to those in critical need.

The Community Health Law Project's extensive network of regional and satellite offices throughout New Jersey, including the Collingswood location, demonstrates their commitment to providing localized, personalized assistance. They work closely with local communities to tailor their legal support to the unique needs of residents, from housing issues to public entitlements and access to healthcare. Their long-standing presence and consistent efforts have made them a cornerstone of legal support for the disability community in New Jersey.

For low-income individuals with disabilities or chronic health conditions in Collingswood and the surrounding South Jersey area, the Community Health Law Project stands as a crucial resource. They offer a lifeline of legal and advocacy services designed to protect rights, preserve independence, and improve quality of life. Anyone seeking assistance in their specialized areas of law, particularly those facing challenges related to health, housing, or public benefits due to a disability, is encouraged to reach out to the Collingswood office at (856) 858-9500.