Josh Shapiro, Governor | Pennsylvania Government
The Pennsylvania Department of Aging has announced that it is expanding a free legal hotline to assist grandparents who are raising their grandchildren. The PA Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Legal Line, operated by attorneys at SeniorLAW Center, will now be available statewide. This service provides legal information, advice, and referrals for older caregivers who need help with custody or other legal matters related to kinship care.
"A growing number of grandparents in Pennsylvania are becoming a parent for the second time as they make the selfless choice to raise their grandchildren. While supporting their adult child with a substance use disorder, coping with an unfortunate death or other circumstances they could not predict, grandparents in this position are often faced with suddenly having to navigate unfamiliar systems," said Secretary Kavulich. "The Department is committed to ensuring older adults - whether they are still working, retired or act as caregivers - have the support and resources they need to thrive in their golden years. We are excited to collaborate with SeniorLAW Center to provide this free resource statewide to help grandparents raising grandchildren with legal issues."
Older caregivers can call 1-877-727-7529 to access advice on civil matters such as custody and dependency. The hotline also helps individuals represent themselves in family court by assisting with document preparation and providing information about kinship caregiver resources and support groups. Previously available only in the Philadelphia region, the service now covers all 67 counties in Pennsylvania due to funding from the Department of Aging.
Alerts Sign-up