use your voice for change

2024-2025 Executive Budget Topic: Economic Development
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.