Utility Shutoffs Are Starting Soon: What to Do to Avoid a Shutoff
The Pennsylvania ban on utility shutoffs was recently updated, meaning some utility customers may start getting shutoff notices. However, many…
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PA General Assembly Unanimously Expands Criminal Record Sealing By Removing Court Debt and Other Barriers
On Wednesday, October 21st 2020, the Pennsylvania General Assembly unanimously enacted House Bill 440 (Delozier, R-Cumberland, and McClinton, D-Philadelphia), a…
Act Now: You Can Still Receive Your Full Stimulus Payment in 2020
URGENT UPDATE: Act Quickly to Get a Stimulus Payment in 2020! New Deadline for Social Security, SSI, and Veterans Benefits Recipients…
Federal Court Issues Order Stopping USDA from Denying Emergency SNAP Benefits to the Poorest Pennsylvanians
A federal court issued a preliminary injunction today, ruling that more than 700,000 of the poorest Pennsylvanians may be entitled…
Thomas K. Gilhool, founding lawyer at Community Legal Services, passes away at 81
CLS and the entire legal services and public interest law community mourns the passing of a brilliant, energetic, and visionary…
CLS and TURN to PECO: Keep Your Promises to Low Income Customers
On Tuesday, August 25, 2020, Community Legal Services, on behalf of our client the Tenant Union Representative Network (TURN), filed…
Immediate Actions Pennsylvania Must Take to Address the COVID-19 Crisis in Long-Term Care Facilities
The COVID-19 pandemic has had drastic and tragic effects on Pennsylvania’s long-term care facility residents and the staff who care for them. More…
CLS and Morgan Lewis File Lawsuit Challenging Denial of Emergency SNAP Benefits for the Poorest Pennsylvanians
On July 16, 2020, Community Legal Services of Philadelphia(“CLS”) and Morgan Lewis filed a class action lawsuit against The United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) on behalf…
Speak Up for Home Heating Assistance in Pennsylvania!
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides one-time grants to help families afford their heating costs. Within the past…
PA General Assembly Enacts Bipartisan Economic Recovery Bill, Removing Criminal Record Barriers to Occupational Licensing
On June 24 2020, the General Assembly enacted Senate Bill 637 (DiSanto, R-Dauphin/Perry and Schwank, D-Berks), which reforms occupational licensing…
When White People Catch A Cold… Inequity and National Crisis
Reflections from CLS Deputy Director of Operations and Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer Brenda Marrero on racial injustice.
PA Supreme Court Rules No Forced Drug Tests in Child Welfare Investigations
CLS contributed to a big victory for Pennsylvania families! On June 16, 2020 the PA Supreme Court unanimously held that…
Reflections on Racial Injustice from CLS’s Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer
Reflections from CLS Deputy Director of Operations and Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer Brenda Marrero on racial injustice.
PGW Wants to Raise Your Gas Bill During a Pandemic. Here’s What You Can Do.
PGW wants to increase customer rates by $70 million per year. They say the average household’s gas bill would go…
Problems Using The IRS Web Portal to Get COVID-19 Payments? We Want to Hear from You!
Are you a non-tax filer who receives federal benefits, including SSI, SSDI, RRB or VA benefits? Did you get $500 in…
Report: Pennsylvania Clean Slate: Delivering on Its Promises
Pennsylvania’s Clean Slate law, Act 56 of 2018, was passed to bring criminal record sealing to scale by the use…
