He Served His Country. We Served Him Back 

After years of service to his country as a Marine, John, a disabled 75-year-old veteran, was facing eviction from his assisted living facility.  

He had done nothing wrong. But someone he trusted had. 

John had given a family member power of attorney over his government benefits, but that individual failed to use those funds to pay for his care. By the time he turned to Catholic Charities DC’s Legal Network for help, he owed $12,000 to his living facility. Unfortunately, he also lacked access to his own benefits alongside the eviction notice. 

Catholic Charities DC Staff Attorney Alberto Ruisanchez acted quickly. He first revoked the power of attorney, restoring John’s control over his finances. He then worked with the Social Security Administration and the Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure that the veteran’s benefits were redirected to him. 

Attorney Ruisanchez next negotiated with the assisted living facility to halt the eviction and establish a payment plan that would enable John to remain in his home. The facility also agreed to forgive a portion of his debt and waive all late fees and penalties. 

Through another program at Catholic Charities DC that assists low-income individuals facing financial hardship, John gained additional support. The program’s emergency fund contributed $3,500 to his assisted living facility to help prevent the eviction. 

“Catholic Charities Legal Network was honored to help [John],” said James Bishop, Director of the Legal Network. “This is a man who served his country, lost a limb, and suffered partial blindness. He should never have had to fight to keep a roof over his head, but Catholic Charities DC’s Legal Network was proud to stand with him and protect his rights.” 

Serving residents of the District of Columbia and the surrounding Maryland counties of Montgomery, Prince George’s, Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s, Catholic Charities DC’s Legal Network provides legal assistance to low-income families and individuals whose earnings are at or below 250 percent of the U.S. federal poverty guidelines. Through the generosity and time of more than 500 volunteer attorneys, the program helps families in need navigate their civil legal matters such as employment, landlord-tenant and housing issues, estate planning, family law, and consumer debt and bankruptcy.