In August 2021, Community Legal Services of Philadelphia, Center for Advocacy for the Rights & Interests of the Elderly (CARIE), and a coalition of advocates for the rights of nursing home residents released Separate and Unconscionable: A Report on Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Pennsylvania’s Nursing Homes with Recommendations for Immediate Action. The report…
This report was written by Youth Justice Project inaugural Youth Action Board members, Deja Morgan, Alexi Chacon, and Madison Nardy. When the coronavirus was declared a global pandemic in March 2020, young people across the country became unemployed, had to adjust to a virtual learning environment, experienced loss, housing insecurity, and more with no clear…
Parents Describe TANF’s Strengths and Needed Changes in New Report on 25th Anniversary of “Welfare Reform” A new report on Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), featuring the voices of parents receiving cash assistance, finds that TANF is crucial for supporting the lowest income families in Pennsylvania, but needs a grant increase and other…
En marzo de 2021, el presidente Biden firmo como ley El Plan Estadounidense de Rescate (American Rescue Plan). El plan de rescate incluye $350 millón de dólares para un Fondo de Asistencia Para Dueños de Propiedad (“HAF”) para ayudar dueños de propiedad en Pennsylvania que han sufrido una dificultad económica a causa de la pandemia…
Updated 09/02/2021 Información en Español In March 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan into law. The Rescue Plan included $350 million for a Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) to help Pennsylvania homeowners who have experienced a financial hardship associated with the coronavirus pandemic. Federal law sets certain requirements about who can receive the…
Pennsylvania’s wage laws have not been updated in decades. Meanwhile workplace practices have changed, with more subcontracting of work and more misclassification of workers as “independent contractors.” And the wage theft epidemic rages on. The PA Department of Labor and Industry (PALI) can and must issue regulations interpreting our existing laws to address the realities…
Community Legal Services attorney Rachel Gallegos testified on June 10, 2021, in support of Councilmember Cherelle Parker’s resolution calling for swift state action on the Homeowners Assistance Fund (HAF) to help thousands of low- and moderate-income homeowners who have been affected by COVID and are at risk of foreclosure. Read the full resolution My…
To help people get through the COVID-19 pandemic, the American Rescue Plan massively expanded the Child Tax Credit (CTC). It will give most families $3,000 to $3,600 per child, even if the families have little or no income. We want to know how this extra money will help your family. Learn more about the Child…
What happened? Because of two separate computer errors in 2018 and 2019, PECO unlawfully shut off nearly 50,000 customers without proper advance notice between June 25, 2018 and September 10, 2019. 1500 of those customers never got their service restored. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) is requesting comments on a proposed settlement. Learn more…
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) provides a modest monthly income to older adults aged 65 and older, and adults and children with serious disabilities who are struggling to make ends meet. Here’s how to apply! 1. Prepare paperwork. a. Financial info: Be ready to tell the Social Security Administration (SSA) about all income (like wages,…
