Seniors Law Center
The Seniors Law Center offers free legal services to residents of Kern County age 60 years and older.
The Seniors Law Center strives to serve and protect the health, independence, social and economic well-being of the senior residents of Kern County.
Eligibility
To be eligible for services, you must:
- Be a resident of Kern County.
- Be 60 years of age or older.
- Have a legal issue that falls in an area of service we offer.
- Income: While there are no income restrictions, highest priority is given to individuals considered low-income.
Areas of Practice
CONSUMER LAW
Advocates assist with transactions and unfair business practices such as:
- Collections
- Billing Errors
- Contracts
Each consumer matter is unique and is assessed case by case.
ELDER ABUSE and FRAUD
Preventing and remedying mistreatment of seniors in regards to:
- Financial Exploitation
- Physical Abuse and Neglect
Most elder abuse cases come not from strangers but from family members and caretakers.
HEALTH CARE
Advocates assist with access to health services such as:
- Medicare and Medi-Cal Advocacy
- Advanced Health Care Directive
- Ombudsman Advocacy
HOUSING
Advocates assist individuals in maintaining affordable and habitable housing and provide services such as:
- Renters Rights to Habitable housing
- Tenant evictions
- Long-Term Care evictions
PUBLIC BENEFITS
Advocates assist individuals with access to public benefits including:
- Social Security Disability
- Social Security Retirement
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Signs of Elder Abuse
Physical Signs
- Uncombed or matted hair, unkempt appearance, or patches of missing hair or bleeding scalp
- Poor skin condition or hygiene
- Untreated medical conditions
- Malnutrition or dehydration
- Torn or bloody clothing
- Scratches, blisters, lacerations, or pinch marks
- Unexplained bruises, welts, burns, or injuries.
Financial Signs
- Unusual bank activity
- Signatures on checks and other documents that do not resemble the senior’s signature
- Lack of personal amenities, like appropriate clothing and grooming items
- Numerous unpaid bills
- Unusual or different spending habits, such as purchasing things the elder doesn’t need or can’t use
- The appearance of a stranger who is now handling the senior’s finances
Isolation Signs
- The caretaker has isolated the senior from contact with others including family, visitors, medical care providers, spiritual advisors and clergy, or friends
- The senior is not allowed to speak freely or have contact with others without the caretaker being present
Scams Directed at Seniors
Scam artists target individuals for a variety of reasons. Beware of these scams and never provide your personal information such as:
- Your Social Security Number,
- Birthdate,
- Banking information, or
- Names of loved ones.
The types of scams are always changing, so it is important to always investigate fully before giving your money to a stranger or even someone on the other side of the phone claiming to be a relative or bill collector.
For more information on common scams, visit the Department of Consumer Affairs at
Additional Resources:
Aging and Adult Services
(661) 868-1000
www.kerncounty.com/government/aging-adult-services
Independent Living Center of Kern County
(661) 325-1063
Kern County Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
(661) 323-7884
State of California Department of Justice -Office of the Attorney General