On Belonging
CLS Deputy Director of Operations and Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer Brenda Marrero on what it means to belong.
Testimony in Support of Domestic Workers Bill of Rights
The following testimony was delivered by CLS attorney Nadia Hewka to Philadelphia City Council on October 22, 2019. My name is Nadia Hewka, thank you to the committee for inviting me to testify today on behalf of Community Legal Services. I am here to wholeheartedly support the Philadelphia Domestic Workers Bill of Rights as it…
Youth Justice Toolkit: Legal Aid Resources for Supporting Transition-aged Youth
This toolkit was researched, written, and created by CLS attorney Kee Tobar, for her project as a Stoneleigh Foundation Emerging Leader Fellow. Legal aid organizations were created to help poor people access justice. This mission expanded during President Lyndon Johnson’s “War on Poverty.” The aim of the “War on Poverty” was to not only relieve…
Americans of All Political Views Agree: Record Clearing Should Be Expanded
The following post was written by CLS Litigation Director Sharon Dietrich. I sometimes am asked for authority for the proposition that the reporting of an expunged or sealed case by a commercial screener violates the FCRA. Unfortunately, the dearth of case law directly on point keeps me from just succinctly giving a citation, even though…
Ants Under the Refrigerator
You probably are wondering, “What is she talking about, with a subject line like that?” The answer to your thought is that I use this phrase when giving clients an important warning about the effect of their expungement orders. I am illustrating for them the idea that I can’t guarantee removal of their expunged cases…
SSI: How to Appeal and How to Apply (in 11 languages)
Learn how to apply for SSI and appeal if your application is denied. In 11 languages. English Should I Apply for SSI? What Should I Do If I Get Turned Down for SSI? Español (Spanish) (¿Debería solicitar el SSI? ¿Qué debo hacer si me rechazan la solicitud del SSI? 中文 (Simplified Chinese) 我是否应该申请补充社会安全金 (SSI)？如果我申请补充社会安全金 (SSI)被拒绝，该怎么办？ Tiếng…
Report: Mending the Safety Net – Why Pennsylvania Must Restore Its TANF Program to Protect Its Neediest Families
Today we observe the passage of “welfare reform” on August 22, 1996, which “ended welfare as we know it” and created the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. Far from a success, this program has eviscerated needed direct financial assistance for struggling families. As we wrote in 2016, the program is helping far fewer…
Getting ICE out of the Courts
Have you seen ICE at the Courthouse? Have you been intimidated by ICE at the courthouse or witnessed someone being intimidated? If so, please fill out this short form to report the incident. If you agree that the courts should limit ICE’s interactions with the court, including presence in and around court houses and probation offices, please sign…
Need Help Paying for Food? Most Community College Students Can Now Get SNAP (Food Stamps)
Good news! Most low-income community college students can get SNAP benefits (food stamps). Apply Now! Until now, most students could only get SNAP if they are working 20 hours a week, receive work study, have young children, or have health problems. Because of a new policy, now Pennsylvania’s community college students who are in programs…
Reporting Expunged or Sealed Cases in Commercial Background Checks Violates the Fair Credit Reporting Act
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (the FCRA) governs the accuracy of criminal background checks prepared by commercial screeners. While there is not much case law holding that the FCRA prohibits commercial screeners from reporting expunged or sealed cases, there is little doubt that it does. Two FCRA provisions apply: Commercial screeners must use “reasonable procedures”…
