Ride For Life

As part of its mission to support patient services that will improve the lives of those living with ALS, Ride for Life has established Plan for Life. The program was created to honor our friend and deceased ALS patient, Larry Katz*, who was an RFL Board member. Larry is remembered by the ALS community not only for his effort and commitment but also for his generous and kind spirit.

Plan for Life is designed to assist ALS patients who are facing critical legal issues, such as dealing with health care providers and insurers, applying for disability benefits, financial matters, or protecting an individual's most personal end of life decisions. Although serious and timely legal decisions must be made, not all patients with ALS can easily afford the cost of hiring an attorney. Therefore, it is our hope at Ride for Life, Inc., that these legal assistance grants will aid in easing one source of worry or tension for those living with ALS.

You will have 4 opportunities a year to apply for a grant with a new application period starting every three months.

Ride For Life, Inc. will randomly select a limited number applicants, from correctly submitted forms, who will each receive grants of up to $750. The types of legal services RFL envisions supporting include, but are not limited to, the following:

-Simple estate planning to arrange your property so that you get the maximum benefit from any tax or estate law and also to carry out your wishes regarding how you want your property distributed.

-Living wills - an instrument that communicates your decision about withholding life sustaining medical treatment.

-Durable financial powers of attorney - an instrument that allows another person to manage your finances if you are unable to do so.

-Health care powers of attorney or proxies - an instrument that allows another person to communicate or make decisions about your health care and medical treatment in the event you are unable to do so.

-Medicaid/Medicare compliance - to assist you in obtaining your benefits under these programs.

-Disability contests - to assist you in obtaining Social Security Disability benefits or other disability benefits.

(*Larry Katz was a driving force in the establishment of RFL. He and his law firm, Piper Marbury Rudnick & Wolfe, LLP, provided free assistance with legal issues such as incorporation and IRS charitable exemption.)

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Beginning May 15, 2008 Ride for Life, Inc. will be receiving applications for these grants. All applications must be completely and correctly filled out and submitted through our internet site.

All applications must be received by June 15, 2008. Ride for Life, Inc. will select a limited number of applications through a random drawing to be held on June 18, 2008.

Ride for Life, Inc. will notify grant recipients via U.S. mail. Each recipient will receive a Plan for Life Grant Award Notification Packet which will include the following: (1) a description of this program, (2) an award letter to provide to the attorney of choice, and (3) Plan for Life liaison contact information.

RECIPIENTS ARE REQUIRED TO START USING THEIR GRANTS WITHIN SIX (6) MONTHS OF THE AWARD DATE. IF NOT INITIATED WITHIN THAT TIME PERIOD, THE GRANT FUNDS WILL BE REALLOCATED TO ANOTHER APPLICANT.

Each recipient shall be responsible for locating and hiring his or her attorney and securing legal services. The grant award letter and letter of introduction should be presented to the recipient's attorney in lieu of the customary up-front retainer fee.

After the legal service has been rendered, the attorney or law firm shall submit an invoice directly to Ride for Life, Inc., and the organization will remit payment directly to the attorney in an amount not to exceed $750. Ride for Life, Inc. will recognize participating attorneys or law firms on its web site.

Ride for Life, Inc., provides payment for legal services only and shall not interfere with the attorney client relationship. Should any dispute arise between grant recipient and attorney for any reason, the grant recipient agrees to hold harmless Ride for Life, Inc.

Ride for Life reserves the right to exclude certain kinds of legal services from eligibility.

All information submitted to Ride for Life, Inc. will be kept strictly confidential, and RFL will never sell or disclose this information to third parties.

Ride for Life will provide a liaison to assist grant recipients with program details. We are hopeful that our budget will provide for further grants for legal services in the future.

Your comments and questions are welcome. Please e-mail us at Amelia@rideforlife.com.

By clicking on the links below you acknowledge that you have read and understand the above provisions of the "Plan for Life" program and agree to hold Ride For Life harmless from any liability.

Plan for LifeI want to APPLY NOW ONLINE via secure server.