We already know that due to differences in earnings over time and other factors, Social Security benefit amounts are lower for people of color than for White beneficiaries. However, we cannot understand the scope or cause of much of the racial disparities in the Social Security system, including in rates of denials, allowances, or other…
CLS represents the interests of Philly residential and small business customers as the ‘Public Advocate’ in water rate proceedings. Last year, the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) asked the Philadelphia Water, Sewer and Storm Water Rate Board for a $141 Million rate increase over two years. We reached a settlement that saved Philly residents nearly $84…
Are you between the ages of 18-26? Join the Youth Action Board at Community Legal Services of Philadelphia! Youth Action Board Fellows will spend a year working together, along with CLS Advocates, to develop ideas, goals, and projects to support young people in Philadelphia. If you… Are a Philadelphia resident between 18-26 Want to…
Today, advocates from New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG), the Urban Justice Center (UJC), and Community Legal Services of Philadelphia (CLS) released a new report about wasteful and harmful Social Security policies, which discriminate against adults and children with disabilities. The report focuses on issues arising in New York State and Pennsylvania, but this is…
Traditionally, Pennsylvania’s Unemployment Compensation (UC) system was simple and effective. An unemployed worker went to an “unemployment office,” filed a claim, and got about the business of finding a new job. Along with declining administrative funding, that system started to erode at the beginning of this century. First, the local offices were replaced by centralized…
For information in English ¿Qué es un título de propiedad enredado? Si usted vive en una casa que usted cree que es suya, que la trata y la paga como propia o que pudo haber heredado, pero su nombre no figura en la escritura, puede tener un título de propiedad enredado. Esto suele ocurrir…
Updated 03/04/2022 Federal COVID leave and other programs like PUA have expired, just as the Omicron variant began to surge. Workers need time off because they are sick, and working parents need flexibility if their kid’s school is remote. This is a good time to talk about organizing in your workplace! Frontline workers have…
Pennsylvania’s Child Protective Services Law authorizes the Department of Human Services to maintain a statewide database known as the Childline Registry. People can be placed on the registry when reports of child abuse or neglect are “indicated” by a caseworker. There is no right to a hearing before being placed on the registry for life.…
Under the Pennsylvania Personnel Files Act, 43 P.S. §§ 1321 – 1324, Pennsylvania workers have the right to view files held by their employers that contains information about themselves. Who is covered by the law? The Personnel Files Act applies to all employers in Pennsylvania, including state, local, and county governments. All workers who…
The following post was written by Kee Tobar, Director of Racial Equity and Inclusion at Community Legal Services of Philadelphia. Let us remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s comprehensive dream as we celebrate his legacy. As the Director of Racial Equity and Inclusion at Community Legal Services of Philadelphia, I realize that so much of…
