Why We’re Proud: New Video from CLS
This video gives you a glimpse into the work CLS’s staff attorneys, paralegals, social workers, and other advocates do every…
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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.
CLS Welcomes Cheryl-Lyn Bentley, Deputy Director of Operations and Human Resources
CLS is thrilled to welcome Cheryl-Lyn Bentley as its new Deputy Director of Operations and Human Resources. Cheryl-Lyn is an…
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…
Video UC Hearings Would Be Costly, Unfair, and Unworkable
HB 129, a bill which is scheduled for a vote by the Pennsylvania Senate Labor and Industry Committee on February…
Las desconexiones de los servicios públicos comenzarán pronto: ¡Siga estos pasos para evitar que desconecten su servicio!
Recientemente se modificó la prohibición de desconectar los servicios públicos en Pensilvania, lo que significa que es posible que algunos…
Utility Shutoffs Are Starting Soon: What to Do to Avoid a Shutoff
Información en Español The Pennsylvania ban on utility shutoffs was recently updated, meaning some utility customers may start getting shutoff…
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…
Trauma Histories and the Impact on Parents Involved with DHS
We often talk about the various kinds of traumas experienced by children in the child welfare system –the traumas that…
Pennsylvania Supreme Court Limits Power of Child Welfare Agencies to Search Family Homes
In a landmark ruling, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has held that Fourth Amendment protections extend to home inspections conducted by…
No Child Should Live in Deep Poverty: Strengthen TANF for PA Families and for Racial Justice
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is a federally-funded block grant that provides cash assistance to the poorest Pennsylvania families.…
Philadelphia Water Department proposing to Raise Rates by $240 Million
Last week, Community Legal Services learned that the Philadelphia Water Department is proposing to increase water rates by $240 million…
Spring is Coming: Here’s How to Keep Your Utilities On
Each year, residential Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) and PECO customers are protected from utility shut offs by the winter moratorium.…
Federal Court Issues Order Stopping USDA from Denying Emergency SNAP Benefits to the Poorest Pennsylvanians
Great news! CLS and Morgan Lewis settled with the USDA, bringing $712 million emergency SNAP (food stamp) benefits to approximately…
New SNAP time limit starting April 2020 for Philadelphians aged 18-50 who are not working and not exempt
Good news: a court has put a halt to the ABAWDs rule change. The rule will not be going into…
Good News! More People Can Get SNAP (Food Stamps)!
Starting October 2022, Pennsylvania has increased the income limit to qualify for SNAP (food stamps). If you were denied before,…
