by Eric Olsen, attorney and Executive Director HELPS Nonprofit Law Firm I recently read a question on a website that helped persons with credit card debt. The answer given is typical of the deceptive, incomplete, and false answers many websites and their experts provide to seniors with financial problems. Here is the question posed from …
Question: Dear Steve, I need to ask for some advice. When the Economic Impact Payment was approved it included those who receive SSI, SSDI, and Veteran benefits. When the IRS was sending out the $1,200 and $2,000 I think for family’s they deposited in bank accounts that was used to file taxes, bank accounts if …
“Dear Mr. Knickman and the Board of Directors of the NCOA: My Name is Eric Olsen, Executive Director of HELPS, a national 501 (c) nonprofit law firm that assists lower-income and poor seniors. I am writing concerning a topic of grave concern where the NCOA may be providing harmful information to seniors. Your website makes …
By Eric Olsen, Executive Director, attorney, HELPS Nonprofit Law Firm In 1996 a federal law was passed governing the collection of debts owed to federal agencies. It is called the “Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996.” This law authorized a 15% garnishment of social security for various debts owed to federal agencies. Each agency is …
By Eric Olsen HELPS Nonprofit Law Firm Whether you’re relaxing in front of the TV set or working in front of the computer screen, it’s hard to miss advertisements for so-called “debt settlement” and “debt management” companies. Both claim to offer relief from debt. Both like assuring they can, “get you back on your feet …
By Eric Olsen Executive Director HELPS Nonprofit Law Firm A senior couple recently contacted me. They were served with legal papers for around $5000 for an old credit card they owed. They had never been sued before. They had heard that a judgment would become a “lien” on their home and worried about what that …
This guest post by Eric Olsen is a great example that not all debt experts need to agree all the time. Eric presents a very valid point of view and mine is slightly different. Eric describes a situation where seniors may consider it unnecessary to file bankruptcy. In my experience, bankruptcy in similar situations can …
By Eric Olsen Executive Director HELPS Nonprofit law firm, www.helpsishere.org You may have received a notice about a defaulted student loan and do not know what to do. There are many articles on the internet with incomplete information that scare seniors into thinking that they are going to lose their social security. This article will …
By Eric Olsen, Executive Director HELPS Nonprofit Law Firm, www.helpsishere.org Some people mistakenly think that the only way to buy a car is from a dealer and it must be financed. For many seniors even if they are able to finance a car, a payment might be simply too much on an already tight budget. …