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…
CLS is thrilled to welcome Cheryl-Lyn Bentley as its new Deputy Director of Operations and Human Resources. Cheryl-Lyn is an outstanding and experienced employment and civil rights attorney who brings a depth of experience in non-profit, government and private practice, and a deep commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion work. Cheryl-Lyn comes to CLS from…
If public charge does not apply to you, you can receive any public benefits you qualify for without any risk to your immigration status U.S. Citizens. If you are a U.S. Citizen, public charge does not apply to you. Green card holders. If you already have your green card, public charge does not apply when…
Clearing criminal records can be life-changing, leading to employment, higher wages, housing, educational opportunities, and more. For the one in three Americans who have a criminal record, record clearing is one of the most important tools to overcoming barriers and accessing opportunity. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, when unemployment rates remain high, it…
BREAKING NEWS: CLS and superstar pro bono co-counsel Morgan Lewis just settled litigation that will deliver $712 million emergency SNAP (food stamp) benefits to approximately 650,000 of the neediest Pa households! In addition, the USDA will be changing their national policy so that approximately 12 million families nationwide will get additional SNAP benefits they are owed.…
We are so excited that the American Rescue Plan has authorized a third round of stimulus payments–offering an essential lifeline to so many people struggling during the pandemic and their dependents. We are hopeful that people, particularly non-filers, do not face the same significant obstacles getting the $1400 dependent payments like they did for the…
What is budget billing? Usually, gas and electric costs vary month by month based on usage. For example, if you have gas heating, your gas bill will be higher in the wintertime. With budget billing, you will pay a fixed amount every month, based on your average bill. How is the monthly bill calculated? The…
Community Legal Services commissioned the following study by the Reinvestment Fund to learn about the impact of debt collection cases filed in Philadelphia’s “small claims” Municipal Court against people across the City, with a particular focus on race. The report includes statistics and maps related to case filings and top filers, service of process, case…
CLS Litigation Director Sharon Dietrich submitted the following testimony before the Pennsylvania House Labor and Industry Committee on March 10, 2021. The testimony highlights problems with Pennsylvania’s Unemployment Compensation and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance programs that are preventing eligible applicants from receiving benefits, and proposes solutions to these problems. Download the full testimony with attachments Members…
