Legal Aid of Western Ohio, Inc. (LAWO) is a non-profit regional law firm that provide high quality legal assistance in civil matters to help eligible low-income individuals and groups in western Ohio achieve self reliance, and equal justice and economic opportunity.
Lester's Story
Lester Jones* is a 62-year-old legally blind senior who receives Social Security, Medicaid, and Food Stamps. He is on the Passport Waiver program. Under the Passport Waiver Program he is entitled to have a home healthcare aide come to his home to help him. However, because he had bed bugs in his home, no aide would come to his home.
The Area Agency on Aging (AAA) paid to have an exterminator treat the bed bugs. The exterminator used a heat-treating method to get rid of the bed bugs that warped the client's kitchen floor, causing the floor tiles to warp, loosen, and break. The loose tiles were a danger to Mr. Jones because of his visual impairment. The exterminator did not respond to his requests for help.
LAWO contacted the Passport Program and convinced them that Mr. Jones is eligible for a program under which the State pays for minor modifications to the homes of low-income seniors. Mr. Jones ended up with a new floor he can use without difficulty.
*Names have been changed to protect the client’s privacy.
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Legal Aid of Western Ohio, Inc.