CLS’S 35th Annual Bar Campaign is Live

This year ushers in the 35th anniversary for Community Legal Services’ Bar Campaign. That’s 35 years where Philadelphia area law firms have stood together to advance access to justice for our neighbors who are struggling to get by. 35 years is more than just a number; it’s an important milestone that demonstrates that Philadelphia’s entire…

City Expands Right to Counsel for Eligible Philadelphia Tenants into Two Additional Zip Codes

Following the success of initial rollout, low-income tenants in 19134 and 19144 zip codes are now guaranteed legal representation when facing eviction​   PHILADELPHIA –  Starting February 1, 2023, low-income renters in Philadelphia zip codes 19134 and 19144 are entitled to free legal representation if they are facing eviction. Legislation providing for guaranteed legal representation, known…

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Transition Paper: PA’s UC System Remains in Disarray and Is Not Prepared for a Recession.

Pennsylvania’s UC System No Longer Can Be Relied Upon to Serve Unemployed Workers. 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.  As a result of declining administrative funding, that system started to…

Thank you to our generous 2022 Bar Campaign donors!

We want to say a big thank you to our generous donors from the 2022 Bar Campaign! Over 100 law firms contribute annually to CLS as part of this campaign, providing a huge amount of funding for the legal assistance we offer to low-income Philadelphians. This year’s campaign raised over $500,000! We greatly appreciate all…

Proposed Regulations Threaten to Undermine Occupational Licensing Reform Law

During the height of the pandemic in 2020, the Pennsylvania General Assembly made a priority of approving Act 53, known as the occupational licensing reform bill.  The bill was guided to passage by bipartisan lead sponsors and supported by both conservative and liberal advocates, including the PA Chamber.  The goal of all concerned was obvious:…

New CLS Report Uncovers Glaring Inequities in the SSA System

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are critical lifelines for millions of people with disabilities. However, more than a decade of underfunding has made it extraordinarily difficult for people to access the vital benefits they need to survive. Applicants and beneficiaries must navigate woefully inadequate interpretation services, an outdated phone system,…

How Is That Legal? A new podcast from CLS

How many times have you encountered an injustice that shocked you so much that you wondered, “How in the world could this possibly be legal?”   Well, that’s exactly why we at Community Legal Services created our new podcast, “How Is That Legal?”. With help from our host, CLS Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer Kee Tobar,…