API Legal Outreach

Are you a senior over 60 or adult with disabilities who lives in San Francisco? You might be eligible for a free Ring camera doorbell. Our friends at Self Help for the Elderly and The SF Dept. of Disability and Aging Services have teamed up for this program to protect our elders. Apply for the program here: https://bit.ly/3YhGqnw

Congrats to our summer law clerk Shae (pictured R), who just received the Salle Yoo and Jeff Gray Charitable Foundation Summer Public Interest fellowship grant from AABA Law Foundation! A big round of 👏 for this recognition, as well as the dedication you've shown APILO and our Anti-Asian Hate program this summer.

For seven years, Astier worked tirelessly to become a U.S. citizen, navigating a complex legal system with APILO's help. She faced her past with courage, gathering evidence of her transformation and demonstrating her good moral character. Today, we celebrate her incredible achievement and the unwavering support that made it possible. Read about Astier's journey on our blog: https://lnkd.in/gc7D3zqW #feelgoodfriday #pathwaystocitizenship

🍾 A huge congrats to APILO legend Esther Leong on her retirement after 49 years in support of accessible, culturally and linguistically appropriate legal services. She's been on the frontlines of our struggle for equality from the start, is ready to use her free time to amp up her activism, and leaves a fashion void impossible to fill. You will be missed Esther, but never forgotten. 🙏🏽 Thank you for all your dedication and service! 🖼️ from Esther's retirement party (from left - former APILO attorney Theresa, Managing Attorney Akiko, Esther, and Executive Director Dean)

📣 Calling all Bay Area high school students passionate about social justice! Want to make a difference in your community? ✊ Join API Legal Outreach's Youth Advisory Council (YAC) and be a part of the change. We're looking for 14-18 year olds from the Bay Area who are committed to uplifting peer youth communities through education, events, and training around API issues. Plus, council members receive stipends! Deadline to apply is August 2nd. Learn more & apply through the link below. It's never too early to make a difference! #YAC #YouthLeadership #SocialJustice #AAPI https://bit.ly/apply2yac

A reverse mortgage is a type of loan that allows older homeowners (62 years or older) to access a portion of their home equity as cash. Unlike a traditional mortgage, borrowers don't make monthly payments. Instead, the loan balance grows over time as the borrower receives payments from the lender, with interest and fees getting added to the principal amount owed. The loan becomes due, with interest, when the last surviving borrower passes away, sells the home, or permanently moves out. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has made significant improvements to the options available for reverse mortgage borrowers at risk of foreclosure due to defaulting on property charges like taxes, insurance, and homeowner association fees. Key Updates: 1. Eliminating Ban on Successive Repayment Plans Previously, borrowers could only get one repayment plan to catch up on delinquent property charges. Now, there is no limit on the number of repayment plans a borrower can get, allowing for more flexibility. 2. Including HOA/Condo Fees in Repayment Plans Mortgage servicers now have discretion to include delinquent homeowner association and condominium fees in repayment plans, in addition to taxes and insurance. 3. Improving the "At-Risk Extension" The "At-Risk Extension," which allows servicers to delay foreclosure for borrowers over 80 with critical health issues, has been enhanced. It now stays in place as long as the borrower remains in the home, eliminating the need for annual renewals. 4. More Flexibility for Smaller Arrears For borrowers less than $5,000 behind on property charges, servicers no longer have to call the loan due and payable immediately. Instead, they can work with borrowers to create a plan to catch up on arrears. 5. Expanded Cash-for-Keys Incentives As of March 25, 2024, servicers can offer enhanced "Cash-for-Keys" incentives of up to $7,500 (plus $5,000 for probate costs) to borrowers or heirs who pursue alternatives to foreclosure like deed-in-lieu or short sales. Higher incentives are available for quicker vacating of the property post-foreclosure. Advocates should make reverse mortgage borrower clients aware of these new protections and options. Refer clients to HUD-approved housing counselors (1-800-569-4287) for assistance understanding their rights and working with servicers. Additional resources are also available from the National Consumer Law Center and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. (Resource: New Protections for Older Homeowners with HECM Reverse Mortgages) To learn more, visit our blog post on this topic: https://lnkd.in/gUzD_7jr

Join us tomorrow for the last webinar in our Protecting Our Seniors series. Nancy Tung, Chief of the Vulnerable Victims Unit and Community Partnerships in the SF District Attorney's office, will share insights on "What to Do When an Elder's Been Abused." Register now and join us Tuesday at 1pm. bit.ly/api-june25

As we continue to raise awareness of Elder Abuse, learn more about the most common scams targeting seniors, as well as forms of elder abuse and what you can do to protect seniors in your life. Get informed in our latest blog post from our Elder Care team and spread the word. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gNSsXVYe #stopelderabuse #WWEAAD

Today is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Worldwide, nearly 1 in 6 elders have suffered abuse. And only 4% of elder cases are reported. If you know a senior in need of support, we're here to help today and every day. Get started by attending our free webinar this Thursday: "What to do when an elder's been abused." 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gCkaRySc #WEAAD #makeadifference #protectourseniors

Practice Advisory: Recent regulatory changes to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) have been finalized and are set to take place Sept. 30. Learn more in our latest blog post about the new rules aiming to reduce barriers and expand access to benefits. https://lnkd.in/ggNJiZ_6 #socialsecurity #ssi #ssa