tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-221001432011-09-12T07:23:44.176-04:00<br><b>Northwestern Legal Services<br> Robert A. Oakley, Esq., Executive Director</b><BR> This blog serves as the electronic format of our<BR> quarterly client-based newsletter.Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comBlogger821100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-61596482490331726772010-12-15T09:50:00.003-05:002010-12-15T09:57:43.526-05:00

By John Gandrud, Managing Attorney, NWLS Central Intake UnitEvictions are an unfortunate reality for low-income people who struggle to make ends meet. If you face an eviction, or the threat of eviction, here is some practical advice to keep in mind as you work through your housing problems.Non-payment of RentPerhaps the most common cause of eviction is non-payment of rent. While there can be

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-83693713477862523552010-12-15T09:45:00.001-05:002010-12-15T09:49:08.766-05:00

If you qualify, these agencies may offer help if you are faced with an eviction:* Erie County — St. Martin's Center 452-6113* Erie County — GECAC 459-4581* Mercer County — Homeless Prevention & Rapid Re-Housing 342-4012* Crawford County — Center for Family Services 337-8450* Venango County — Office of Economic Opportunity 432-9767* McKean County — Northern Tier Community

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-2662653643109805652010-12-15T09:38:00.003-05:002010-12-15T09:43:08.553-05:00

Editor's Note: We asked a NWLS law worker to reflect on his own experiences with the threat of homelessness for this edition of our newsletter.We all know it exists, most of us have seen it, and, like many others, I thought it could never happen to me.Also, like many others, it almost did -- more than once.My first experience with homelessness came several years ago. My family was evicted from

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-4189453765418680252010-12-15T09:34:00.003-05:002010-12-15T09:38:36.155-05:00

The above phrase is heard throughout the holiday season. Sometimes we do not think beyond this simplistic yet heartwarming phrase. I hope we pause to think about this now.Unemployment is extremely high in our region, as is poverty. During this holiday season, let us ponder the effects poverty has on our community and on our children, and further, what we can do to personally help.Job loss and

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-754821576679531892010-12-15T09:30:00.002-05:002010-12-15T09:33:41.240-05:00

On June 16, 2010, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released its annual report to Congress on homelessness in America.The annual report is generally considered the best estimate of homelessness across the nation.Among the findings in this document are the following:* On a single night in January 2009, there were an estimated 643,067 sheltered and unsheltered homeless

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-78186633251689443142010-12-15T09:23:00.003-05:002010-12-15T09:28:48.976-05:00

The first piece of federal legislation that directly addressed the problem of homelessness in the US was the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987.Signed by President Ronald Reagan on July 22, 1987, the act has been amended and re-authorized several times since it went into law, and its purpose is to provide funds and coordinate resources to meet the critically urgent needs of the

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-36982017543094957402010-12-15T09:17:00.003-05:002010-12-15T09:21:51.022-05:00

By Judy Wilson, NWLS Managing Attorney, Erie OfficePublic and subsidized housing are programs funded by the government to provide decent and affordable homes to low-income people.Public housing is housing which is owned and operated by a local Housing Authority. Usually your rent and utilities are much lower than if you rent from a private landlord, and generally it is no more than 30 percent of

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-60735560525003156092010-12-15T09:14:00.003-05:002010-12-15T09:16:40.782-05:00

Bradford City HA — 362-3535HA of County of Erie — 665-5161Erie City HA — 452-2425Franklin City HA — 432-3416HA of Elk County — 965-2532HA of City of Meadville — 336-3177HA of Venango County — 677-5926HA of Oil City — 676-5764Mercer County HA — 342-4000HA of McKean County — 887-5563 Potter County HA — 274-7031Titusville HA — 827-3732Warren County HA — 723-2312

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-84289848653258818292010-12-15T09:10:00.003-05:002010-12-15T10:03:08.238-05:00

Here are some websites that address the issue of homelessness:http://www.homelessshelterdirectory.org/This website provides contact information for homeless shelters across the nation.http://www.palawhelp.org/Your online guide to legal aid information in Pennsylvania contains a wide variety of legal topics including housing law on evictions and tenant rights.http://www.hemap.org/Are you in danger

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-31304503925999426782010-02-12T15:08:00.002-05:002010-02-12T15:13:08.112-05:00

Residents of Northwestern PA Can Expect Dramatic Increase in Electric BillsBy Attorney Harry Geller, Executive Director, PA Utility Law ProjectBeginning next year (2011), residents of northwestern Pennsylvania can expect a dramatic increase in their electric bills.For more than a decade, electric rates have been frozen and electric prices have remained stable. On December 31, 2010, these rate

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-84918883857943771182010-02-12T15:06:00.000-05:002010-02-12T15:07:52.792-05:00

Customer Assistance Program (CAP) 1-800-545-7741. CAP helps residential customers maintain electric service and eliminate their past-due balance. CAP offers a reduced bill that is based on a percentage of income and debt forgiveness.WARM Program 1-800-207-9276 WARM is a free weatherization and energy education program for Penelec's residential customers in Pennsylvania. The objective of the

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-53881064856760553642010-02-12T15:05:00.000-05:002010-02-12T15:06:29.916-05:00

Pennsylvania’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) will extend the closing date for program benefits from March 15 to April 2. Other important changes to the program were announced as this newsletter was going to print:· Regulated utility customers with a shut-off notice dated February 1, 2010 or later will be able to apply for crisis grants· A household in PA may apply for a

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-57595396088618188062010-02-12T15:01:00.000-05:002010-02-12T15:02:25.814-05:00

The impact of the downturn in the economy has affected everyone in one way or another. Especially hard hit are the segments of our population that rely on fixed incomes. For instance, a retired person has seen his or her retirement "nest egg" dwindle or the disabled person now has to stretch an already stretched budget to accommodate increased costs in food, utilities and gasoline. More and

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-65920801549623349872010-02-12T14:59:00.001-05:002010-02-12T15:14:17.013-05:00

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the new name for food stamps, a program that helps low-income individuals and families buy the food they need. SNAP is financed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service, and administered in Pennsylvania by the Department of Public Welfare (DPW) through county assistance offices.In order to qualify for SNAP, low-income

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-3488536463897620162010-02-12T14:56:00.002-05:002010-02-12T15:14:35.890-05:00

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC) are important federal tax benefits for low-to-moderate income workers. The programs can either lower the amount of taxes you owe the government, or in some cases provide a cash refund, even if you did not make enough money to file a tax return.According to national estimates, however, as many as 25 percent of eligible workers do not

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-41006774474548122352010-02-12T14:53:00.002-05:002010-02-12T14:56:12.199-05:00

If people in northwestern Pennsylvania want their fair share of federal funds, then everyone must count.This year (2010) the U.S. Census will again take place across the country, and a lot is at stake when the counting is done. Each year more than $400 billion in federal funds are distributed to states and localities on the basis of population statistics gathered in the census.That is money used

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-49479535167457105752010-02-12T14:51:00.000-05:002010-02-12T14:53:03.390-05:00

Here is a list of 5 important Websites and online resources:· Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Application for Social Services (COMPASS) — where you can access applications for benefits such as LIHEAP and SNAP (food stamps)https://www.humanservices.state.pa.us/compass/CMHOM.aspx · Benefits CheckUp — a site that lists benefits for folks ages 55 and overhttp://www.benefitscheckup.org/· The Social

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-13414538623526808072008-03-20T16:44:00.003-04:002010-02-10T09:31:45.926-05:00

HEMAP Can Help Avoid ForeclosureStatistics outlining the depth of the home foreclosure crisis in this country are startling.Nationally, more than 2.2 million foreclosure filings - default notices, auction sale notices, and bank repossessions - were reported in 2007, up 75 percent from 2006, according to RealtyTrac, a California-based private company that compiles nationwide real estate

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-79672000657846530212008-03-20T16:43:00.000-04:002008-03-20T16:44:02.396-04:00

The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) has a web site with extensive information about HEMAP, and what you must do to qualify for assistance under this program. In order to find out more about HEMAP, and an Act 91 Notice, go to:http://www.phfa.org/consumers/homeowners/hemap.aspx

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-52462975546580936012008-03-20T16:40:00.001-04:002008-03-20T16:42:27.927-04:00

A few weeks ago I visited a local coffee shop to get my morning coffee . As I was going into the coffee shop a woman coming out of the coffee shop recognized me from our "Access to Justice" Cable Access Television Show in Erie. She told me that every other week she tunes into the show because she finds it very informative.If the story ended here I would be happy to get that positive feed-back

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-74755084978737027272008-03-20T16:36:00.005-04:002008-03-24T12:39:57.826-04:00

Erie attorney and NWLS board member Jay W. Alberstadt, Jr., has been selected by the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network (PLAN) to receive a 2008 Excellence Award.Jay is being honored for a quarter century of service on the Board of Directors of Northwestern Legal Services. During that time, he has been instrumental to the growth and development of legal aid in the communities throughout our

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-65459098024790242792008-03-20T16:33:00.002-04:002008-03-24T12:42:02.250-04:00

To help reduce the effects of a slowing economy, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will send tax rebate checks to over 130 million households beginning in May 2008 and continuing through the summer.In order to qualify for the rebate, however, individuals and households must file a 2007 tax return.The IRS will use the 2007 tax return to determine eligibility and calculate the basic amount of the

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-31472537644848437482008-03-20T16:21:00.004-04:002008-03-24T12:44:03.374-04:00

Overview:People generally want what is coming to them -- especially if it is money they earned.The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a federal tax benefit for working people who earn low-to-moderate incomes. The program can offset some or all of the taxes workers must pay, and can help cover any federal tax workers still owe.When the EITC exceeds the amount of taxes owed, it can even result in a

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-32582863338126749432008-03-20T16:16:00.003-04:002008-03-20T16:20:49.684-04:00

I-CAN! E-file can help you file your taxes for FREE. Just go to the I-CAN Website at www.icanefile.org and answer some simple questions on each screen and print your completed tax return. I-CAN!E-file can also electronically file your return to the IRS.You can even use I-CAN!E-file to file your Pennsylvania state return. Keep in mind, however, that you cannot use I-CAN!E-file to file your State

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-24025120363818263972008-03-20T16:11:00.003-04:002008-03-20T16:16:36.394-04:00

www.nwls.org/MediaBe sure to check out the NWLS media blog at the Web address above to find video clips from our "Access to Justice" TV series on Erie Cablevision, Channel 2; and audio clips from our "Access to Justice" radio show on WJET AM 1400. The video and audio clips focus on a wide variety of civil legal topics of importance to the low-income community we serve.http://www.phlp.org/The

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-56591033883257895782007-10-30T16:08:00.000-04:002007-10-30T16:17:38.334-04:00

By Colleen Stumpf, Esq. The Quinn Law FirmIf a serious illness or accident disrupted your life, who would manage your affairs?A Power-of-Attorney, a Health Care Power-of-Attorney, and a Living Will are three documents that work to ensure that another person can handle your affairs if you are unable to do so yourself.While these documents address different issues, they all have the goal of making

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http://www.eriebar.com/ - The Erie County Bar Association offers more information on advance directives at their Web site. Use the "For the Public" menu (Tel Law) on the task bar.http://www.palawhelp.org/ - This web site from the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network has an section titled "Elder Law" (60 +) and offers extensive information on advance directives as part of the civil legal topics.

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-80424973911917385672007-10-30T15:58:00.002-04:002007-10-30T16:05:43.558-04:00

"I didn't know about legal aid"Northwestern Legal Services has been in existence for over 38 years. In that time, we served countless people needing free civil legal aid.Even though we have such an extensive "track record" in providing services in our area, it continues to surprise me that many people do not know that civil legal aid exists or who provides civil legal aid. Many times, I hear

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-29969828645977974062007-10-30T15:56:00.000-04:002007-10-30T15:57:59.939-04:00

NWLS Board member Pat Mickel was chosen as the "Everyday Hero" in the Summer edition of "News & Views," a publication from the Housing Authority of the City of Erie.Pat was honored for her many contributions to the Erie community, including her work as president and co-founder of the Erie Tenant Council, a city-wide organization that advocates on behalf of residents in more than 2,100 Erie

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-20503242784387277472007-10-30T15:52:00.000-04:002007-10-30T16:52:07.121-04:00

On September 5, Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, announced that Social Security has issued a final regulation to extend the quick disability determination (QDD) process to all state disability determination services.Under QDD, a predictive model analyzes specific elements of data within the electronic claims file to identify claims where there is a high potential that the

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-24742164182905560352007-10-30T15:41:00.000-04:002007-10-30T16:54:03.968-04:00

Helps low-income people pay their heating bills with energy assistance grantsAlthough winter weather in northwestern Pennsylvania is difficult to predict, some experts forecast a definite chill to your pocketbook in the coming months.The Energy Information Administration, a federal agency that supplies the short-erm energy and winter fuels outlook for the nation, expects the cost of heating your

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-27574469517391227172007-10-30T15:38:00.000-04:002007-10-30T15:40:32.008-04:00

* Income eligibility for LIHEAP is set at 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines created by the Department of Health and Human Services.* The average LIHEAP cash grant this year is expected to be about $250, however your household may be eligible to receive much more, depending on the size of your household, your income, and the type of fuel you use.* The amount of the crisis

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-59042089498866079002007-10-30T15:30:00.000-04:002007-10-30T16:56:36.747-04:00

www.nwls.org/MediaIf you are traveling the information superhighway to Northwestern Legal Services, be sure you turn on your computer speakers before you get there.NWLS is proud to announce the launch of our new media blog - www.nwls.org/Media - where you can access information on a variety of civil legal topics in audio format. We've taken digital recordings of our bi-monthly radio show "Access

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-49721036932982945712007-07-17T11:02:00.000-04:002007-07-17T11:07:10.557-04:00

By David Hull, NWLS Staff Attorney, Venango CountyLegal aid attorneys who work in housing law understand a simple fact about the human condition -- there are good (and bad) landlords, just as there are good (and bad) tenants.Sometimes, however, a low-income tenant may feel powerless against a landlord by virtue of the ownership, and the control, that the landlord exercises over the property that

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-76240847765437561792007-07-17T10:59:00.000-04:002007-07-17T11:01:27.062-04:00

When you rent a house, apartment, or mobile home, you usually have to pay a security deposit to cover possible damage to the premises or rent that is still owed when you move. Pennsylvania law limits how much a landlord can charge.First Year. During the first year you live in a place, your landlord can charge no more than two months' rent as a security deposit.Second Year. After you have rented a

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-63290836023891236632007-07-17T10:56:00.000-04:002007-07-17T10:59:25.850-04:00

News Around Our ProgramIt has been quite eventful here at Northwestern Legal Services since the last newsletter was published. A number of changes have taken place that I believe make us an even better program.New Staff Attorneys - By the time you are reading this, our program will have added three new staff attorneys to our roster. Elsewhere in this newsletter you will find a more detailed

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-86600802527436114982007-07-17T10:54:00.000-04:002007-07-17T10:56:15.240-04:00

The mission of Northwestern Legal Services is to assist low-income individuals and families by guiding them through the legal system using advocacy and education to obtain justice.Three new staff attorneys will help NWLS perform its mission.Autumn Johnson began work in the Farrell office (Mercer County) in June as a Martin Luther King Jr. Fellow. A graduate of Slippery Rock University of

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-52069485689816030272007-07-17T10:48:00.000-04:002007-07-17T10:53:14.259-04:00

By Janice Meinert, MSW, Pennsylvania Health Law Project Effective July 1, Erie, Crawford, Mercer and Venango Counties will join the rest of the Commonwealth in implementing the HealthChoices Behavioral Health Program. This means all persons on Medical Assistance (MA) in these counties will receive behavioral health services through the managed care plan that contracted with the county mental

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-77729969662315404532007-07-17T10:46:00.000-04:002007-07-17T10:48:00.694-04:00

Access to services from the Medical Assistance Transportation Program (MATP) is also improved for Medical Assistance recipients in the HealthChoices. Behavioral Health Program.Under the old system, MATP was only required to provide transportation or reimbursement for transportation to the closest MA provider.In HealthChoices Behavioral Health, MATP is required to provide transportation or

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-49022068482105439412007-07-17T10:42:00.000-04:002007-07-17T10:46:23.680-04:00

www.attorneygeneral.govConsumer fraud is a serious matter that victimizes many residents of the Commonwealth, especially vulnerable individuals such as senior citizens. Pennsylvania Attorney General, Tom Corbett, has developed a Website that offers a comprehensive overview of the many scams and fraudulent activities that target unsuspecting individuals, as well as tips to help you avoid being "

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-45794821318129921832007-03-28T10:35:00.000-04:002007-03-28T10:40:24.601-04:00

NWLS Project Assists Low-income Clients with Wide Range of Employment IssuesSuppose you applied for a job, and a background check indicated that you had a criminal history, but you had never been arrested or convicted of a crime.Where would you turn for help?The NWLS Employment Law Project is designed to help low-income clients with a wide range of civil legal issues pertaining to the workplace,

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-37821751982693997962007-03-28T10:33:00.000-04:002007-03-28T10:34:36.286-04:00

Barriers to employment for low-income clients are often clothed in very basic needs.The NWLS Public Benefits Project is designed to help low-income clients move toward gainful employment by ensuring they get all of the government benefits they are entitled to receive. Individuals on TANF enrolled in an education or training program, for example, may be eligible to receive a clothing allowance

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-69722702918209580422007-03-28T10:31:00.000-04:002007-03-28T10:32:46.330-04:00

When people think of the work legal aid does, they inevitably think of the legal cases where our legal staff provides representation to our clients. And we certainly provide that help. In fact in 2006, we provided legal help that assisted almost 11,000 people.This assistance takes many forms: from simple advice to pro se assistance to representation at hearings and trials to appealing cases.

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-75541710977599549552007-03-28T10:28:00.000-04:002007-03-28T10:30:49.265-04:00

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has recently enacted new Rules of Civil Procedure that will protect exempt resources, such as social security, from being garnished or attached.The new rules protect funds that are "on deposit in a bank or other financial institution in an account in which funds are deposited electronically on a recurring basis and are identified as funds which upon deposit are

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-20857213413822219822007-03-28T10:24:00.000-04:002007-03-28T10:27:28.447-04:00

Pennsylvania senior citizens and adults with disabilities may now apply for food stamps and supplemental security income (SSI) simultaneously.Launched in January 2007, Pennsylvania's Combined Application Project (PA CAP) has enabled over 34,000 seniors and adults with disabilities to be enrolled automatically for benefits. The project is a joint effort involving the Department of Public Welfare,

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-40882390077770019282007-03-28T10:17:00.000-04:002007-03-28T13:18:46.524-04:00

It was devastating news for the residents of Potter County and the region.More than 400 workers employed at the Adelphia Communications call center located in Coudersport were laid-off in February. The layoffs were announced by Time Warner Cable in December after the company (along with Comcast Corporation) acquired parts of the now-defunct Adelphia.The call center in rural Potter County provided

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-90507158531542351572007-03-28T10:14:00.000-04:002007-03-28T10:16:48.417-04:00

Most people are aware of Monster.com from TV ads during the Super Bowl. Here are some other resources on the Internet that can assist in a job search.www.jobhuntersbible.com "What Color is Your Parachute? A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers" by Richard N. Bolles is considered by many career counselors as the "gold standard" in job-hunting guides. With over 8 million copies in

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-29065061701658929402007-03-28T10:08:00.000-04:002007-03-28T13:16:46.396-04:00

It's tax season once again, and there are many options for preparing and filing your taxes which are FREE. In northwestern Pennsylvania alone, there are 75 free tax preparation sites available to senior citizens, low-income individuals, students and shut-ins.To learn more about the options available to you, visit the NWLS Website at www.nwls.org to locate a site near your residence. Also, the

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-87485512625241404142007-03-28T09:37:00.000-04:002007-03-28T10:14:02.265-04:00

Although the Internet brings a world of information to your personal computer, it also invites con artists into cyberspace as well. "Fraud Guides" exists to inform the public about the wide variety of scam artists and their tactics, offers tips on spotting consumer fraud, internet scams, investment schemes, telemarketing, along with scams surrounding automobile ownership or repair. Visit

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-33034157617923350632006-12-28T11:11:00.000-05:002006-12-28T11:18:51.769-05:00

By Harry Geller, Esq., Executive Director, PA Utility Law ProjectWith cold weather approaching, there are a number of steps a low-income household can take to ease the burden of home heat.The Pennsylvania Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) can offer significant help to households that qualify for assistance. The program officially opened on November 6 and is expected to end on

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-71196792689888615882006-12-28T11:09:00.000-05:002006-12-28T11:11:07.640-05:00

It is not unusual for changes in LIHEAP to be announced after the program opens in November. These changes may expand eligibility, provide you with additional assistance, or extend the length of the program. In addition, the Governor, the Public Utility Commission, or your utility company may provide additional assistance through the "Stay Warm Pennsylvania" initiative.You can access information

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-44898567473039695622006-12-28T11:07:00.000-05:002006-12-28T11:09:17.333-05:00

As the year draws to a close, I want to reflect on some of the notable events that helped shape the mission of Northwestern Legal Services throughout our region.The Erie Clients Council has reorganized and is now meeting regularly. The council, together with our legal aid program, facilitated a public meeting in May to educate our community about Northwestern Legal Services and the Erie Clients

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-47891463696941560642006-12-28T11:06:00.000-05:002006-12-28T11:07:24.036-05:00

Northwestern Legal Services is pleased to announce the addition of two attorneys to our legal staff.Jennifer Krause will begin work in November as a staff attorney in the NWLS Erie office. A graduate of Mercyhurst College, she completed her law degree from the University of California, Davis. While in law school, Krause was chairperson of the King Hall Legal Foundation, a non-profit organization

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-54825777881126197942006-12-28T11:02:00.000-05:002006-12-28T11:05:57.122-05:00

Addresses Unique Needs of Elderly PopulationAs the number of Baby Boomers with an eye on retirement increases, it is important to understand the civil legal issues they may face.The NWLS Elder Law Project is designed to provide free legal aid to low-income seniors with these legal concerns. It also enables NWLS to develop expertise in the kinds of issues that will confront a growing portion of

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-62947176434270019462006-12-28T10:57:00.000-05:002006-12-28T11:01:05.862-05:00

By Regis P. Bodnar, Senior Tax Specialist, Internal Revenue ServiceOverview:With tax season approaching, it's time for low-income taxpayers in northwestern Pennsylvania to file away some important information about Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC).Originally approved by Congress in 1975, EITC has become our nation's largest and most important anti-poverty program. Designed for people who earn

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-74730844613961019682006-12-28T10:48:00.000-05:002006-12-28T10:56:29.279-05:00

Earned Income Tax Credits are designed to help low-to-moderate taxpayers keep more of what they earn. When these people use a paid tax preparer coupled with a "refund anticipation loan" (RAL), they end up paying a high price for their actions.The Brookings Institution estimated that the average cost for a tax filer who uses a tax preparation service and RAL is about $220. Many low-income

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-38996657530177253412006-12-28T10:37:00.000-05:002006-12-28T10:46:00.169-05:00

Receive "Access to Justice" Newsletter Online In addition to sending the NWLS quarterly newsletter "Access to Justice" via postal mail, we also post an online version of the publication on our Website in "blog" format. It contains all of the news and information contained in the printed version. If you would rather receive the newsletter in this digital format, please e-mail your requests to us.

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-1158761790859046102006-09-20T10:13:00.000-04:002006-09-20T10:40:26.890-04:00

By Michael Campbell, Esq., Executive Director, PA Health Law ProjectCongress has placed the "burden of proof" on many Medicaid applicants and recipients.Beginning July 1, the "Deficit Reduction Act" passed by Congress requires people claiming to be U.S. citizens or nationals to document both their citizenship and identity in order to qualify for Medicaid. Medicaid is the federal name for

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-1158761611582423952006-09-20T10:12:00.000-04:002006-09-20T10:38:55.800-04:00

The PA Health Law Project has a Website that provides news and information about issues that impact publicly funded health care in Pennsylvania. You can access their site at www.phlp.orgThe federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services published Interim Final Regulations implementing the new requirements on July 12, 2006 in the Federal Register. The regulations can be viewed at: http://

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-1158761529620664422006-09-20T10:09:00.000-04:002006-09-20T10:42:34.620-04:00

Expand Insurance Protection for Victims of Domestic ViolenceAct 78 of 2006 amending the Unfair Insurance Practices Act was signed into law by Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell on July 7, 2006. The law will go into effect on September 5.Act 78 expands the definition of "abuse" in the Unfair Insurance Practices Statute to include property damage, and it establishes a statutory prohibition against an

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-1158761174943523712006-09-20T10:04:00.000-04:002006-09-20T10:37:00.216-04:00

Long Time Passing or Have We Won the War Yet?In 1963, Rev. Martin Luther King organized a massive march on Washington and delivered his now famous "I Have a Dream" speech. This, and the voter drives throughout the south, paved the way for the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Important steps in empowering the disenfranchised.Approximately 40 years ago, then President

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-1158761057948121702006-09-20T10:02:00.000-04:002006-09-20T10:35:24.360-04:00

Editor's Note: Jeffry Johnson, a second year student at Dickinson Law School, recently completed a Martin Luther King Jr. Summer Internship at Northwestern Legal Services. Here are some excerpts from his journal:My introduction to public interest law involved observing client intakes/interviews. Persons who were "knocking on their last legal door" came to NWLS with a personal story to tell. How

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-1158760665764860772006-09-20T09:53:00.000-04:002006-09-20T10:45:04.323-04:00

Are you "between jobs" and find yourself in a financial crunch? You expect to find work soon, but paying bills in the short term is a real problem.A new program from the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare (DPW) is designed to ease the burden.The program is called TANF Diversion, and it provides short term assistance for people in financial crisis due to a temporary loss of income. It is a

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-1158760392308553532006-09-20T09:51:00.000-04:002006-09-20T10:31:05.370-04:00

Pennsylvania residents who receive government benefits can use the state's online service to access important information. COMPASS stands for Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Access to Social Services.Here is how COMPASS can help you:* The self-screening questionnaire can tell you which social services the members of the household may be eligible to receive.* The application lets you apply online for

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-1158760233479262282006-09-20T09:48:00.000-04:002006-09-20T15:39:36.946-04:00

Stop the Phishing Before You Get Hookedwww.antiphishing.org is a website focused on eliminating the fraud and identity theft that can result from phishing attempts to steal consumers' personal identity data (such as credit card numbers, account usernames and passwords, or your social security number.) This website documents known phishing scam emails and websites to help you identify and avoid

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-1148306232463450662006-05-22T09:55:00.000-04:002006-05-22T10:12:23.486-04:00

An Erie woman recently discovered new meaning in the old saying "buyer beware."She responded to a yard sign advertising "completely remodeled" homes for sale. The home she bought in Erie for $50,000 was, in fact, worth about $25,000 and had hidden structural, electrical and plumbing problems.Even more, the mortgage broker recommended by the seller talked her into a loan with a variable interest

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-1148307254600711732006-05-22T09:13:00.000-04:002006-05-22T11:24:21.906-04:00

If you think you are a victim of a housing scam, you need to get legal help as soon as possible. Here are some resources that low-income home owners can turn to for aid:St. Martin's Center Housing Programs - Provides information and assistance to people who may be victims of housing scams. Call (814) 452-6113, ext. 117PA Office of Attorney General, Bureau of Consumer Protection - Investigates and

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-1148307664961206492006-05-22T09:12:00.000-04:002006-05-22T10:21:04.963-04:00

"Prioritizing Your Needs"As many of you know, Northwestern Legal Services (NWLS) is a private non-profit organization charged with assisting the citizens of a ten-county area in northwestern Pennsylvania in civil legal matters by direct representation, telephone advice and through community education and clinics.By regulation of the Legal Services Corporation, a funding source, we are required

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-1148307790584757212006-05-22T09:11:00.000-04:002006-05-22T11:23:27.870-04:00

If you have any questions about the mission of Northwestern Legal Services, we have the answers at a meeting that is free and open to the public.The Erie County Clients' Council has scheduled an informational town meeting for Wednesday, May 31 at the Erie Insurance Auditorium, 100 Erie Insurance Place, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The purpose of the meeting is to explain the process of becoming a client

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-1148307963266985362006-05-22T09:10:00.000-04:002006-05-22T10:26:03.266-04:00

The Erie County Bar Association and Northwestern Legal Services selected Attorney Tammy Marie Lamary as this year's Pro Bono Attorney of the Year. The award is given each year to a private attorney who has made a significant commitment to pro bono representation of low-income clients with civil cases in Erie County.Attorney Lamary is a 2003 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law,

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-1148308313031020992006-05-22T09:09:00.000-04:002006-05-22T10:35:32.570-04:00

On November 10, 2005, Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell signed into law amendments to the state's Protection From Abuse Act. These amendments, which took effect on May 9, include some of the following provisions:Increase the permitted duration of a PFA from 18 months to 36 monthsDirect that PFA court judges consider risks of harm to both children and abused parents when awarding temporary custody

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-1148308728967005892006-05-22T09:08:00.000-04:002006-05-22T11:25:38.176-04:00

Newly-elected Erie County Executive Mark DiVecchio has appointed Tony Logue as Chief Public Defender.Attorney Logue oversees a staff of seven full-time attorneys, thirteen part-time attorneys, two investigators, and three support staff. The office provides legal representation at no cost to clients who meet financial guidelines in the following types of cases:Adults charged with criminal or

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-1148309110080327382006-05-22T09:07:00.000-04:002006-05-22T11:22:04.893-04:00

Guide to Legal Information and Free Civil Legal Services in PennsylvaniaBe sure to visit and bookmark http://www.palawhelp.org/. This site, created by the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, is a guide to free civil legal services for low-income persons and seniors in Pennsylvania. It contains a large library of brochures and self-help guides, links to benefit calculators and on-line applications for

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-1139341378425858002006-02-22T14:16:00.000-05:002006-03-01T15:45:59.876-05:00

Readers of The People's Voice will notice a change at the top.As the banner on this page points out, the name of our newsletter has been changed to Access to Justice. The new title is the same as the television series we produce for community access TV in Erie (Channel 2), and it reflects our mission to assist low-income people by using both advocacy and education to obtain justice.What will not

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-1139341437195419962006-02-22T14:15:00.000-05:002006-02-24T15:21:17.216-05:00

Sal Parco, Community Educator and editor of The People's Voice has left Northwestern Legal Services after nearly thirteen years of service to our agency and the low-income community. Over the years, Sal delivered hundreds of presentations to thousands of individuals and families about the importance of legal aid for those people with civil cases who could not afford to hire an attorney on their

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-1139427020761125282006-02-22T14:14:00.000-05:002006-02-24T15:22:35.116-05:00

IT IS NOT ALWAYS ABOUT LITIGATIONRecently, a person came into our office because she required maintenance prescription drugs and the pharmacy would not fill it as the new prescription drug plan was not verifying her enrollment. After speaking with the person (now my client), I contacted the local County Assistance Office. After relating the problem, I was able to get a copy of the enrollment and

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-1139342746646547102006-02-22T14:13:00.000-05:002006-02-24T15:34:02.530-05:00

Although winter is already here, you can still apply for help if you are having trouble keeping up with your home heating bills.The Pennsylvania Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps low income people pay their heating bills through energy assistance grants. The official deadline for this year’s cash and crisis grants is March 23, but the availability of federal funds can

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-1139432394846232512006-02-22T14:11:00.000-05:002006-02-24T15:51:24.973-05:00

Erie and Mercer Counties Impacted by the MoveION Health Plan, an HMO which has a contract with Pennsylvania to provide Medical Assistance (MA) in six counties, including Erie and Mercer, has terminated its contract, effective April 1, 2006. A little over 20,000 MA recipients were impacted by this development, most of them in Erie County. Recipients should already be in the process of selecting a

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-1139432343670977952006-02-22T14:09:00.000-05:002006-02-24T15:56:14.360-05:00

Paul Troskosky, managing attorney of Northwestern Legal Services (NWLS) Bradford office, has been chosen to receive a 2006 Excellence Award from Pennsylvania Legal Services. The award honors members and friends of the legal aid community in Pennsylvania who exemplify excellence in their work on behalf of low-income clients with civil legal concerns."Paul has worked very hard on behalf of

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-1140635462549742722006-02-22T14:07:00.001-05:002006-02-24T16:00:49.073-05:00

The Earned Income Tax Credit is designed to help working families keep more of what they earn. Unfortunately, EITC claimants lose money when they use paid tax preparers coupled with "refund anticipation loans" (RALS) to file their federal returns.Although paid tax preparers market RALs with the promise to "get you your refund quick," there is a high price to be paid for the service. The Brookings

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-1139432624102159142006-02-22T14:07:00.000-05:002006-02-24T16:00:28.006-05:00

Overview:If you are like many residents of northwestern Pennsylvania, you work hard, but you don't earn a lot of money, and want to keep more of the money that you make.The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a program for people who earn low-to-moderate incomes. EITC can reduce your federal taxes, and can mean a refund. In simple terms, working families and individuals may keep more of the money

Access to Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04251627787573978644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22100143.post-1140635519815033282006-02-22T13:50:00.000-05:002006-02-24T16:00:59.973-05:00

Food Stamp CalculatorThe U.S. Department of Agriculture has a prescreening tool to help determine if you may qualify for food stamps. This food stamp calculator is located at: 209.48.219.49/fns/File Federal Taxes and Earned Income Tax Credit OnlineLow-income taxpayers can use the following Web site to file their federal tax and Earned Income Tax Credit from anywhere in the United States. Forms

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