Though HELPS brings relief from creditor harrassment, we want our seniors to be informed about other debt related issues. For many seniors who are facing debt struggles, property taxes may be one of the challenges. Several states, including Oregon, have tax abatement programs that give options for debt relief. There are certain qualifications, however, including age of filing and maximum income. Many of our HELPS clients can benefit by knowing about the property tax deferral program in their state.

For those who want to learn more about Oregon's Tax Deferral, the web site is:

http://www.oregon.gov/DOR/SCD/seniordef.shtml

For Washington State's Tax Deferral program, the web site is:

http://dor.wa.gov/docs/pubs/prop_tax/seniordefs.pdf

For California, the laws have been changed since 2009. However, since late 2011, it has been left to the individual county to determine their own policy toward property tax deferral. The web site that explains this is:

http://www.sco.ca.gov/ardtax_prop_tax_postponement.html

For Arizona’s Tax deferral Program:

http://www.co.yavapai.az.us/Content.aspx?id=19520

For Texas, here is the link for the  Senior & Disabled Tax Deferral

http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/taxforms/50-126.pdf

Meet Ray and Mary...

Meet Ray and Mary Orndoff, the official ambassadors for the HELPS programs. As seniors who have been married for over 50 years, they want to enjoy life to the fullest.  As they travel across Oregon, California, and Washington, they meet with beleaguered seniors who want to end creditor harrassment and gain the peace of minds that HELPS offers. 

At retirement communities and senior centers, Mary and Ray have received a warm welcome.  They share the HELPS literature and answer any questions people might have.  They put a personal face on the HELPS program.  From time to time, we'll be checking in with the Orndoffs to find out where they are and here about some testimonials from real people about how HELPS has changed their lives.

Oregon Bankruptcy Attorney Launches National Non-Profit Website/Law Firm To Help Seniors!

HelpsIsHere - Stops Creditor Harassment of Seniors - No Bankruptcy!

Eric Olsen

It's making a big difference in their lives

Portland, OR (PRWEB) January 29, 2012

For over 30 years, Eric Olsen has been a successful bankruptcy attorney in the Pacific Northwest. The firm he founded, OlsenDaines, can be found throughout Oregon and the states of Washington, Idaho and Utah. Year after year, he witnessed lots of creditor abuse towards senior citizens and decided to do something about it. Mr. Olsen has now organized and formed, HELPS Nonprofit Law Firm. HELPS, an acronym for Help Eliminate Legal Problems for Seniors and Disabled, was designed to provide legal representation at an absolute minimal cost to any seniors (including poor senior citizens) harassed by creditors, for debts they cannot pay. This, without having to file a bankruptcy. It is available in all 50 states. The exact website address is:
helpsishere.org
According to Mr. Olsen – there are over 40 million seniors in the United States and many of these seniors have retired owing debt they cannot pay. Under the law, Mr. Olsen explains, social security, disability and pensions are protected from collection. Nevertheless, seniors are frequently harassed by creditors and go without basic needs such as food, medicine and heat in an attempt to pay debt they can never pay off. Since the Bankruptcy Reform Act of 2005, bankruptcy has become very expensive. Mr. Olsen says, seniors are often faced with two options; deal with the harassment - or file a bankruptcy they cannot afford.
Now, for a minimal enrollment fee and a maintenance fee that is normally just $20 a month, HELPS Nonprofit Law Firm provides attorney protection. When a senior is represented by an attorney, under the law, contact from collectors by phone and mail must stop.
“It’s making a big difference in their lives. I want every senior citizen to know, this service is here – for them. Now! We never turn down a senior that qualifies. We are here to share the burden. These seniors now have a place to go for help."
The HELPS’ website features senior citizens sharing their real-life "harassment" experiences. These are stories that hit home with other seniors. “We asked our clients if they would be willing to share their experience on video with others,” Olsen explains. “Many have this overwhelming desire to share their stories with others. They want other seniors to know that help is available, so they don’t have to experience what they went through, before they found HELPS. The most common statement I hear is ‘HELPS brought peace back into my life.’”
To be part of this unique service - go to http://helpsishere.org/ for easy enrollment. You'll be protected within minutes. Literally!

Welcome to the Helps Blog

Welcome to HELPS,  or Help Eliminate Legal Problems for Seniors and Disabled, a non profit law firm.  HELPS was founded by OLSENDAINES,  the largest consumer bankruptcy firm in the northwest.  It was started as a service to our clients with the concept that it would eventually be made available to other seniors in all fifty states. 

 

On August 1, 2011, HELPS separated from OLSENDAINES and became a separate entity,  as a non profit law firm.   We, at non profit HELPS, are in the process of spreading the word on the help that is available to seniors and disabled persons who are harassed by creditors for debts they simply cannot afford to pay.  Through HELPS,  this  harassment ends,  and peace returns to the lives of our clients.  We are non profit because we want this service to be reasonable and available to all seniors in need.   HELPS has applied for its 501 c tax status with the IRS.  However, HELPS  hopes not to solicit donations or grants,  but to be completely self funding from the modest fee it charges to its clients.

In order for HELPS to work it needs to spread the word about this really remarkable program! 

 Already existing HELPS clients have shared with their friends and neighbors what HELPS does. 

 

 We work with different State consumer affairs departments, Legal Aid and Consumer Credit agencies to make known what HELPS can do for a significant segment of persons that have nowhere to turn, or don’t know about the HELP available.  We broadcast our efforts through other forms of media.   We want HELPS to be a household name and a refuge for seniors that need peace from creditor harassment,  without having to file bankruptcy. 

 

 Please take some time to look at our website.  View the video testimonials and other videos from actual HELPS clients.  These are the pioneers of HELPS--seniors willing to share their personal stories, so others can find the peace they found from  the protection HELPS offers.

If you have any suggestions or comments,  you are always free to contact me directly.  I am Eric Olsen, President of HELPS.  My email is eolsen@helpsishere.org.   We have literature available for Senior Centers and other places where seniors might gather that need to know about our service.   We are here to share the burden:  we understand that a shared burden becomes much lighter