Veterans Received Complimentary Consultations at Program by Cona Elder Law on Government Aid and Attendance Benefit

Cona Elder Law Collects Food for LI Cares at Event

When Lisa Gordek, Levittown, heard about the complimentary “Aid and Attendance” benefits program that Cona Elder Law, Melville based elder law firm, recently held for veterans over age 65, she immediately signed up and brought her father Tony, an amputee who served in the Army for three years active duty.   Tony had just moved to Long Island from Florida and was about to go into an assisted living facility in Lake Ronkonkoma but his limited income would not have covered all of his rent, medical and other needs.

“I’m so relieved because I really didn’t know where to begin to apply for these benefits, and there is no time for any mistakes,” says Lisa.  After interviewing Lisa and her dad with regard to benefit eligibility, Cona Elder Law will now complete the lengthy and complex application pro bono as they have done for more than 200 other veterans or their spouses.  According to Lisa, this monthly stipend of $1,704 will change her father’s life and help pay for his living expenses and medical expenses.

Over 50 people attended the Cona Elder Law event and many will now receive this valuable and often unknown benefit for veterans or their spouses who need help with daily living activities (bathing, feeding, toileting) at home or in an assisted living facility.   As part of Cona Elder Law’s mission to educate veterans on Aid and Attendance, the law firm will continue to offer pro bono application services and help them qualify if they’re not immediately eligible.  

“Educating veterans and their families about this important benefit is Cona Elder Law’s way of giving back to the military community,” says Melissa Negrin-Wiener, Esq., Cona Elder Law partner.  “Hearing the attendees talk about how this benefit will change their lives and allow them the freedom to remain in the community for longer than they ever expected is truly gratifying.”

During the event, Michael Haynes, Coordinator of Government Affairs and Public Policy at Long Island Cares, The Harry Chapin Food Bank, spoke about their Military Appreciation Tuesdays program, which gives groceries to Long Island Veterans and their families at their Hauppauge and Freeport locations.  Cona Elder Law presented Michael with over 60 pounds of non-perishable food for LI Cares that they collected at the event.  

“It is a privilege to partner with Genser Dubow Genser and Cona to help Long Island’s veterans,” says Michael.  “We’ve hosted Cona Elder Law at our facilities several times on Military Appreciation Tuesdays where we were able to help veterans with much needed food, and the law firm advised them on government benefits.  The veterans who left Long Island Cares commented on Genser Dubow Genser and Cona’s professionalism and left with hope and follow up appointments scheduled.   The law firm does great work and is committed to fighting for veterans and their families.  They are true friends of Long Island Cares.” 

Cona Elder Law is recognized as a leading elder law and estate planning firm on Long Island.  The firm was ranked the #1 Elder Law firm by Long Island Business News in 2012.  The firm provides creative advocacy and cutting edge planning strategies and has been featured in many publications including: The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Newsday, L.I. Business News, Kiplinger’s, Reader's Digest and many others.   Cona Elder Law attorneys are frequent contributors to Newsday’s Act II “Ask the Expert” column and have appeared as guests on WNBC-TV, CNN-fn, News 12, News 55, Channel 21 "Act II With Newsday" and many radio stations including WOR, WCBS AM and WFAN.