In this issue: "Happy Thanksgiving!" from NNJLS; November is Long-Term Care Awareness Month; November is National Caregivers Month; NJ Landlord-Tenant Mediation Program; Food Insecurity During the Holiday Season; NNJLS Staff Member Receives the Paterson Alliance Extra Mile Award, NNJLS's 2019 Annual Report is Now Available; NNJLS Staff Spotlight; and more.  

While Thanksgiving may look a little different this year, NNJLS's gratitude to and for our staff, volunteers, and supporters is beyond measure this season.

Everyone at NNJLS wishes you and yours a happy, safe, and healthy Thanksgiving!

November is Long-Term Care Awareness Month

Authored by Elisa Tustian, Esq. - Staff Attorney, NNJLS Senior Law Project

November is long-term care awareness month. Despite the fact that there are both Adult and Pediatric Long-Term Care facilities throughout New Jersey, the world of long-term care is little known to those who have not had direct interaction with it. It is important for residents and their families to be fully aware of the rights they have while residents of a long-term care facility. The NJ legislature codified a Bill of Rights of nursing home residents in N.J.S.A. 30:13-5. It includes rights of privacy and unrestrictive communication. 

In addition, there are federal notice requirement for the transfer or discharge of a long-term care resident protected under federal law, 42 CFR § 483.15. Residents have the right to receive written notice at least 30 days in advance when the facility requests their transfer or discharge and that notice shall include the name and contact information for the New Jersey Long-Term Care Ombudsman.

Please note that the NJ Long-Term Care Ombudsman has a Volunteer Advocate Program and you too can help! Furthermore, if you have a long-term care facility in your neighborhood reach out and see if they have community engagement programs so you can get to know your long-term care resident neighbors and be inclusive of them in your life. 

In addition, should you or a relative of yours wish to transition out of your nursing home and are eligible for NJ FamilyCare and have been living in an institutional setting for more than 90 days the “I choose home New Jersey” program might be able to assist you to return to your community with necessary supports and services. The New Jersey Long-Term Care Ombudsman and the Division of Disability Services work in collaboration on the “I choose home New Jersey” program and can be reached at 1-855-HOME-005. 

NNJLS provides free civil legal help to seniors 60 and over residing in Bergen, Hudson, and Passaic Counties, NJ. To contact NNJLS, please call (201) 792-6363 or email NNJLS@LSNJ.org.

November is National

Caregivers Month

Authored by Elisa Tustian, Esq. - Staff Attorney, NNJLS Senior Law Project

November is also National Caregivers month. AARP released their report on Caregiving in the U.S. in May of 2020. In addition, Mental Health America emphasizes the AARP’s report data that compared to those who care for someone with a physical condition with those who care for someone with a mental condition; caregivers of people with mental illness are 7 percent more likely to feel they have been discriminated against at work because of their role. They are also 14 percent more likely to report high difficulty finding affordable services.

The State of New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Aging Services runs a statewide respite care program. This program gives a short-term or periodic break to caregivers from the demands of daily care for functionally impaired persons, including the frail elderly. This program is not available for those who participate in certain programs such as Medicaid or the Alzheimer’s Adult Day Services Program and does have income and asset limits (the current income limit for a single individual is $2,313 monthly). 

NNJLS provides free civil legal help to seniors 60 and over residing in Bergen, Hudson, and Passaic Counties, NJ. To contact NNJLS, please call (201) 792-6363 or email NNJLS@LSNJ.org.

Landlord-Tenant

Mediation Program

Authored by Lawrence (“Larry”) Sindoni, Esq. – Managing Attorney, NNJLS Housing Law Unit

On July 28, 2020, the New Jersey Courts published Directive 20-20 that established a virtual mediation program for landlord/tenant eviction cases. Landlord/tenant mediations will be conducted by either video or telephone; no in-person mediation sessions will occur. The Court also made changes to the eviction papers tenants will receive and will include new notices regarding the mediation program and available resources.

What Tenants Will Receive If Their Landlord Files

an Eviction Case During COVID-19

Tenants receiving eviction papers should receive the following documents:

• Summons and Complaint - These are the papers notifying you that the landlord has filed an eviction case. The Summons will NOT list a court date because eviction trials are suspended due to COVID-19. The complaint will list the reasons for the eviction (most likely nonpayment of rent).
• Tenant Notice - explains that a remote pre-trial settlement conference (mediation) will be scheduled and asks the tenant to contact the court.
• Landlord-Tenant Information Sheet - provides landlords and tenants with information on where they can seek help, including financial assistance, provides information on the suspension of cases, and the use of security deposits during COVID-19. It also provides information on legal and other assistance.
• Initial Contact Notice - informs the tenant to contact the court by email or telephone. It notes that a trial has NOT been scheduled and it requests the tenant participate in mediation.
• Pretrial/Settlement Conference Scheduling Notice - this document informs the tenant that a virtual mediation session has been scheduled, it provides the date and also indicates how it will occur (via Video or Telephone). Mediation will NOT be conducted in-person.
• Pretrial Settlement/Conference Information Sheet - notifies the tenant that mediation is voluntary. It explains that “you do not have to settle your case” but if you do settle you understand the terms, especially if you have agreed to a judgment of possession (an eviction).

What Tenants Should Do

Tenants who receive eviction papers or mediation papers should immediately contact an attorney to determine their best options. Tenants experiencing poverty and residing in Bergen, Hudson, and Passaic Counties may contact Northeast New Jersey Legal Services at (201) 792-6363 or NNJLS@LSNJ.org.  

Remember, mediation is voluntary and you do not have to settle the case. Cases that do not settle will eventually be scheduled for trial in the future. Even if you do settle the case and agree to vacate, lockouts for residential tenants remain suspended until at least the end of December 2020 (although this date may change).

Programa de Mediación entre Propietarios-Inquilinos

Escrito por Lawrence ("Larry") Sindoni, Esq. - Abogado Gerente, Unidad de Derecho de Vivienda de NNJLS

El 28 de julio de 2020, los Tribunales de Nueva Jersey publicaron la Directiva 20-20 que estableció un programa de mediación virtual para casos de desalojo de propietarios /inquilinos.  Las mediaciones entre propietarios/inquilinos se llevarán a cabo por video o por teléfono; no habrá sesiones de mediación en persona.  El Tribunal también hizo cambios en los documentos de desalojo que recibirán los inquilinos y incluirá nuevos avisos sobre el programa de mediación y los recursos disponibles.

Qué Recibirán los Inquilinos si su Propietario Presenta un Caso de Desalojo Durante el COVID-19

Los inquilinos que reciban documentos de desalojo deben recibir los siguientes documentos:

• Citación y Demanda - Estos son los documentos que le notifican que el propietario ha presentado un caso de desalojo. La citación NO incluirá una fecha de corte porque los juicios de desalojo están suspendidos debido a COVID-19. La demanda enumerará las razones del desalojo (lo más probable por no pago de renta).
• Aviso al Inquilino - explica que se programará un juicio para una reunión de conciliación previa (mediación) remota y le pedira al inquilino que se comunique con el tribunal.
• Hoja de Información del Propietario y Inquilino proporciona a los propietarios y inquilinos información sobre dónde pueden buscar ayuda, incluyendo asistencia financiera, proporciona información sobre la suspensión de casos y el uso de depósitos de seguridad durante el COVID-19. También proporciona información sobre asistencia jurídica y de otro tipo.
• Aviso de Contacto Inicial - informa al inquilino que se comunique con el tribunal por correo electrónico o por teléfono. Señala que NO se ha programado un juicio y solicita que el inquilino participe en la mediación.
• Aviso de Programación de la Conferencia Previa al Juicio/conciliación - este documento informa al inquilino que se ha programado una sesión de mediación virtual, proporciona la fecha y también indica cómo ocurrirá (por video o teléfono). La mediación NO se llevará a cabo en persona.
• Hoja de Información sobre la Conferencia Previa al Juicio/Conciliación - notifica al inquilino que la mediación es voluntaria. Explica que “no tiene que llegar a un acuerdo en su caso”, pero si lo hace, comprende los términos, especialmente si ha aceptado una sentencia de posesión (un desalojo).

Lo Que los Inquilinos Deben Hacer

Los inquilinos que reciban documentos de desalojo o de mediación deben comunicarse de inmediato con un abogado para determinar sus mejores opciones. Los inquilinos en situación de pobreza y que residen en los condados de Bergen, Hudson y Passaic pueden comunicarse con los Servicios Legales del Noreste de Nueva Jersey (Northeast New Jersey Legal Services) al (201) 792-6363 o NNJLS@LSNJ.org.

Recuerde, la mediación es voluntaria y no tiene que resolver el caso. Los casos que no se resuelvan finalmente se programarán para juicio en el futuro. Incluso si resuelve el caso y acepta desalojar, los desalojos para inquilinos residenciales permanecerán suspendidos hasta al menos fines de diciembre de 2020 (aunque esta fecha puede cambiar).

Food Insecurity During the Holiday Season

Authored by Melissa P. Cappello, Esq., Staff Attorney - NNJLS Public Benefits Unit

One major change is the amount of SNAP benefits (formerly called "Food Stamps") families receive. Previously, the SNAP amount was calculated for each family according to their supposed need, and considering their income and expenses. Now, on a month to month basis, the New Jersey Department of Human Services has approved every family to receive the maximum amount of SNAP benefits allowed for their family size. Currently, the maximum benefits have been approved through November of this year. This means every family will be getting the most SNAP benefits that they can for November for their household size. We are hopeful that the maximum benefits will be approved going forward as well.

Another helpful change is the waiver of certain SNAP application requirements. SNAP applicants can now apply online, with the requirement for an interview and hard-copy signature waived. New Jersey has created an easy-to-use online portal (NJOneAPP) for processing and tracking SNAP applications. This means that applicants can fill out their application and submit the necessary paperwork from the safety of their home. Interested applicants can visit www.njhelps.org to get more information and access the OneApp portal (Note: this link also provides access to applications for cash assistance for single persons and families).

With the above changes to the SNAP program more people will be able to get food on the table this holiday season.

The NNJLS Public Benefits Unit represents clients who have been denied SNAP benefits, had SNAP benefits terminated, or had their benefit amount lowered. We assist individuals who reside in Bergen, Hudson, and Passaic Counties and are experiencing poverty. To contact the NNJLS Public Benefits Unit, please call (201) 792-6363 or email NNJLS@LSNJ.org. 

NNJLS Staff Member Receives the Paterson Alliance

Extra Mile Award

exude commitment and passion for their work, their organization and the community we serve." For those who know and work with Christine, this award and recognition comes as no surprise. Many congratulations, Christine! 

Learn more about the Paterson Alliance Extra Mile Award by clicking here. 

NNJLS's 2019 Annual Report is available now! To read the entire annual report, please click here. To download the annual report in PDF, please click on the button below.

NNJLS Staff Spotlight:

Mervin Evertz

Mervin's first real memory at NNJLS was his attendance at U.S. Bankruptcy Court with Neil Fogarty, Managing Attorney - NNJLS Consumer Law Unit. Mr. Fogarty had just filed several bankruptcy cases and invited Mervin to attend the Bankruptcy Trustee meeting at the US Bankruptcy Court in Newark, NJ. As it was Mervin's first time in Bankruptcy Court, he had no expectations. Mervin recalls how they entered the courtroom and sat among other clients and their attorneys. Mervin observed how the Trustee would summon the attorneys and their clients to the front desk and question them about the content of their petitions.

The typical questions posed included “Are you working?” or “How long have you been on Social Security?”. In bankruptcy, the Trustee looks to discover valuable assets (e.g., a home, Worker’s Compensation benefits, personal injury monetary award) so that the Trustee can seize it, use the asset(s) to pay creditors, and take a percentage for court administration fees. If the Trustee does not find anything, the session goes rather seamlessly. As NNJLS clients possessed no assets, their session was brief and smoother than Mervin had ever imagined!

The most memorable moment Mervin has comes from NNJLS's 50th Anniversary Celebration in November 2017 at The Bethwood (Totowa, NJ). NNJLS celebrated this occasion in fine style by paying tribute to the organization and its many world-class attorneys who provided high-quality service to NNJLS clients. Mervin was honored and blessed to have been in attendance at this event; to Mervin, it certainly felt like a NNJLS "Hall of Fame."

The best advice Mervin can give to new attorneys is simply this: learn and absorb as much knowledge as you possibly can from your senior attorneys. Mervin believes that NNJLS is blessed to have some of the sharpest legal minds in the country and new lawyers should take advantage of their expertise at all costs. It is not lost on Mervin that NNJLS is the voice of the unrepresented. Indeed, Mervin feels that the current health and economic crisis will bring more attention and hopefully, resources to NNJLS as the need for free legal services exponentially increases.

When not at NNJLS, Mervin enjoys ethnic dance (African), golfing, watching cricket, playing Steel Drums, and reading.

Mervin received a Bachelor of Arts in Theater from Hunter College (class of 1996) and a Paralegal Certificate from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 2013. During Mervin's theater studies, he learned the core values of communication, application, discipline, and teamwork. It is these values Mervin brings to his job as a paralegal and the values that make him stand out at NNJLS.

While there is no doubt that Mervin could have made a career in the arts, NNJLS is incredibly grateful to have Mervin in his starring role at NNJLS providing clients and community members with compassionate, caring legal assistance. 

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