Making a difference for the people of New Hampshire.

The Consumer Law Project for Seniors (CLPS) provides free legal assistance to individuals 60 years of age and older who have legal problems relating to consumer issues including bankruptcy, debt harassment, debt collection, student loans, bankruptcy, home ownership issues, and unfair sales. Our attorneys provide legal representation, advice, and brief services to seniors statewide. You can reach the Consumer Law Project for Seniors by calling 1-888-353-9944, TTY 1-800-634-8989. In Manchester, you can also reach us by dialing 624-6000.

Debt harassment:

A bill collector keeps calling me about a bill I can’t afford to pay. Do I have to talk to him?

A bill collector called my neighbors and told them that I was in a lot of trouble. Can they do that?

Debt collection:

A credit card company just filed a lawsuit against me to collect on an unpaid bill. What should I do?

My only income is social security. I just went to court and I was ordered to make monthly payments on a judgment for a credit card debt. Do I have to pay?

Bankruptcy:

Since my husband died, I have been using credit cards to make ends meet. I can no longer afford the monthly payments. Should I file for bankruptcy?

If I file for bankruptcy, will I lose my home?

Home ownership:

I recently decided to take out a home equity loan to pay off my credit card bills. Now I am not sure it was a good idea. Can I cancel the loan?

Unfair sales:

A salesman came to my house yesterday with an offer that sounded too good to pass up. Now I’m having second thoughts. Can I get my money back?

I recently bought a used car that the salesman told me was in perfect condition. It turns out that the car needs a lot of repairs. Do I have a right to return it?

     The Consumer Law Project for Seniors

Other pamphlets published by NHLA

      Medicaid Income and Asset Rules for Nursing Home Residents

    Having trouble paying for property taxes?

     Fair Housing Project

    Your Rights As a Tenant in Manufactured Housing Park

 

Credit and consumer loans

Cosigning a Loan 

Credit and Your Consumer Rights 

Getting Credit When You’re Over 62 

Scammers Impersonate Legitimate Lenders, Promote A Loan for a Fee; Then Take the Money and Flee


Credit and Divorce 

Building a Better Credit Record

Fair Credit Reporting

How to Dispute Credit Report Errors 

Your Access to Free Credit Reports

For additional information and pamphlets:

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/credit/coninfo_loans.htm

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/credit/coninfo_reports.htm

 

Debt issues

Knee Deep in Debt 

Fair Debt Collection

Credit Repair: Self-Help May Be Best

For additional information and pamphlets:

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/credit/coninfo_debt.htm

 

Mortgages and your home

Home Equity Loans: Borrowers Beware!

Need a Loan? Think Twice About Using Your Home As Collateral

Putting Your Home on the Loan Line Can Be Risky Business

Reverse Mortgages

For additional information:

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/credit/coninfo_mortgage.htm

Telemarketing

Are You Getting Telemarketing Calls You Don't Want? Here's How to Stop Them

For more information:

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/menu-tmark.htm

Telephone services

Unauthorized Charges Crammed onto Your Telephone Bill?

For more information:

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/menu-call.htm

 

Scams in the mail

Catch the Bandit In Your Mailbox

Prize Offers: You Don't Have to Pay to Play

Telemarketing Travel Fraud

Unsolicited Mail, Telemarketing and Email: Where to Go to "Just Say No"

For more information:

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/menu-travel.htm

 

Identity theft

http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/

 

Links to other helpful organizations:

The Legal Advice and Referral Center

The Federal Trade Commission

The New Hampshire Bar Association

The Office of the NH Attorney General

What type of Cases does (NHLA) handle?

Housing Cases

• Private landlord/tenant matters

• Mortgage foreclosure

• Property taxes

• Section 8 or public housing

• Mobile home park issues
  

Public Benefits Cases

• Food Stamps

• Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) formerly AFDC, including problems with welfare to work, child care, medical care, and sanctions

• Unemployment Compensation

• Medicaid, Medicare

• Local Welfare

Disability Advocacy Project

We also represent persons applying for federal and state disability benefits such as

• Social Security

• SSDI

• SSI

• APTD*

*(Aid to the Permanently and Totally Disabled)

Other Types of Cases

• Consumer

• Health

• Bankruptcy to preserve your home

Domestic Violence Advocacy Project

• For victims of domestic violence

Fair Housing Project

• Housing discrimination issues
  (603) 669-4960 or 1-800-921-1115

 

Senior Citizen Law Project/Advice Line

• Issues affecting seniors (60+ yrs)

• Medicaid/Medicare

• Property taxes

• Home health care

• Nursing home

• Other medical issues
  (603) 624-6000 or 1-888-353-9944
  

Consumer Law Project for Seniors

• Consumer issues affecting seniors

• Debt issues

• Debt collection and harassment

• Bankruptcy

• Home ownership issues
  (603) 624-6000 or 1-888-353-9944

What does New Hampshire Legal Assistance do?

NHLA attorneys and paralegals provide information to eligible clients and to community groups about legal rights. We interview clients to find out about their legal problems. All client information is discussed in complete confidence. We represent clients at administrative hearings and in court cases. Many of our cases are resolved through settlements approved by our clients. We also represent clients before the New Hampshire Legislature, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Social Security Administration, the Department of Employment Security, and the Public Utilities Commission. We assist senior citizens with individual legal problems and also focus attention on issues that affect all senior citizens. We ensure that low-income people can have a voice on some of the laws and regulations that are passed by drafting legislation and testifying at legislative committee hearings.

How to contact us

New Hampshire Legal Assistance has five Branch Law Offices located in different areas of the state.  Contact the one nearest you.

MANCHESTER 1361 Elm Street, Suite 307 Manchester, NH 03101  668-2900 or 1-800-562-3174 Directions	LITTLETON  271 Main Street Littleton, NH 03561  444-8000 or 1-800-548-1886  Directions
CLAREMONT 206 Moody Bldg., 24 Opera House Sq.  Claremont, NH 03743  542-8795 or 1-800-562-3994 Directions	PORTSMOUTH 154 High St., PO Box 778 Portsmouth, NH 03802  431-7411 or 1-800-334-3135 Directions
NASHUA 21 East Pearl St. Suite 2  Nashua, NH 03060  598-3800 or 1-800-517-0577 Directions	SALEM 200 Main St. Salem, NH 03079

Where else can I go for legal help?