HELPS is a nationwide 501(c)(3) nonprofit law firm. It assists lower income senior citizens and disabled persons by providing ongoing legal representation for purposes of receiving debt collector contact under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Nearly half of all seniors over 65 have incomes within 200 percent of the poverty line. Many do not realize that their income, social security, pensions, disability, and VA benefits are protected from collection under federal law, and they go without basic needs to pay old debts they do not have to pay. Debt collector harassment is not infrequent, but lower income senior citizens and disabled persons cannot afford and do not need bankruptcy. HELPS also educates seniors how they can maintain their financial independence. We provide support to other nonprofit organizations helping lower income seniors. We also assist lower income seniors and disabled persons with obtaining IRS uncollectable status, income contingent repayment of student loans with zero payments, obtaining veteran benefits, providing information regarding housing, transportation, and many other issues. HELPS never turns away any eligible client. Visit us at our booth here at the convention or www.helpsishere.org.