Legal Services of the Hudson Valley has expanded to make it easier to provide help

White Plains — Legal Services of the Hudson Valley, which provides free legal representation for poor and newly unemployed residents in seven counties, has expanded its intake system to better serve its clients. A new phone system has been put in place and new staff members have been added to handle the high volume of calls received at the organization’s toll free number. The additional personnel should reduce or eliminate the wait time callers experienced in the past. Legal Services of the Hudson Valley handles urgent matters including foreclosures and evictions, domestic violence, public benefits, health advocacy, consumer law, elder law and special education. Paralegals will now answer incoming calls, determine clients’ eligibility and connect them to the proper unit within the organization for full evaluation. In addition, where appropriate, callers will receive immediate advice under the guidance of a supervising attorney. “The need for our services is ever-increasing in this economic environment,” said Deputy Director Lewis Creekmore. “This July through September, we received between 600 and 800 calls per week. That number was many more than we could effectively handle with the staff we had. With the improved system, our hope is that callers can quickly get answers to simple questions, and tools to solve simple problems. This will also allow our staff attorneys more time to handle more complex cases. We have 35 attorneys and another 10 paralegals who are very effective at extended representation, and we believe this system will enable them to focus their efforts on cases that most need their attention.” Attorney Marian S. Henry will be heading the newly expanded intake unit. Henry formerly handled elder law and foreclosure cases at Legal Services of the Hudson Valley. Legal Services of the Hudson Valley assists residents of Westchester, Rockland, Orange, Sullivan, Dutchess, Ulster, and Putnam counties. To reach the toll free intake line call: 877-574-8529 Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon to 3 p.m. For more information: www.LSHV.org.