Utility affordability is a human rights and racial justice issue
People of color are disproportionately burdened by unaffordable utility service. Nationally, Black and Latinx households spend a greater percentage of…
Read more
New SNAP time limit starting April 2020 for Philadelphians aged 18-50 who are not working and not exempt
Starting April 1, 2020, over 35,000 Philadelphians – and over 90,000 Pennsylvanians — will be newly subject to the SNAP…
Testimony in Support of City Bill Increasing the Wage Tax Refund to Low-Income Workers
CLS attorney Montgomery Wilson, Esq, submitted testimony to the City Committee on Finance on November 13, 2019 in support of…
The Heavy Price for Restoring One’s Name: Court Debt Bars Record Clearing
Contact with the criminal legal system comes with a price tag that a growing number of Americans cannot afford to…
TAKE ACTION: Tell Social Security Not to Create Additional Burdens for People with Disabilities!
NEW: Everything you need to know about this harmful proposed rule The Social Security Administration just announced that it wants…
Right to Counsel Passes Philadelphia City Council!
Right to Counsel passed unanimously in Philadelphia City Council on November 14! This bill guarantees low income tenants an attorney…
The Dangerous Weight of Water Debt
For years, Philadelphia operated an inefficient assistance program for low-income water customers, Philadelphia’s most economically vulnerable households. The program helped…
Data Shows that Our Holistic Parent Representation Helps Kids Too
For decades, the Family Advocacy Unit at Community Legal Services has provided holistic family defense for parents involved in child…
Support Removal of Criminal Records Barriers to Occupational Licensing
Thousands of Pennsylvanians face legal barriers to occupational licenses based on their criminal records. With over two dozen professions requiring…
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…
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…
SCOTUS Must End Employment Discrimination Against the LGBTQ+ Community
It’s Time for the Supreme Court to End Employment Discrimination Against the LGBTQ+ Community. The following blog post was written by…
Comments on Proposed Rulemaking Regarding Unfair Market Trade Practices
This week, Community Legal Services submitted comments to proposed rules issued by Pennsylvania’s Office of Attorney General. The rules seek…
CLS Submits Amicus Brief in Support of Iowa Legal Aid
CLS filed an amicus (“friend of the court”) brief in the Supreme Court of the United States urging the Court…
Roxanne Jones Fellowship Brings Opportunity, Connections
This summer, Community Legal Services (CLS) was thrilled to establish the Senator Roxanne Jones Fellowship to enable future leaders in…
