The Center for Elder Law and Justice (CELJ) greatly appreciates the opportunity to provide our

comments to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee on Economic Development. CELJ has been

serving the Western New York region for over 40 years, providing free civil legal services to older

adults, persons with disabilities, and low- income families. CELJ’s primary goal is to use the legal

system to assure that individuals may live independently and with dignity. CELJ also advocates

for policy and systems change, particularly in the areas of housing, elder abuse prevention, nursing

home reform, and consumer protection. Currently CELJ provides full legal representation in ten

counties of Western New York. CELJ’s Free Senior Legal Advice Helpline is open to all of New

York State. CELJ operates a central office in downtown Buffalo, with three additional offices in

Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, and Niagara counties.