Issue Areas

RECENT NEWS

Governor Paterson Names Advisory Committee to Help Health Care Reform Cabinet

Governor David A. Paterson today named 37 organizations to the Health Care Reform Adv...

State's finance score above average

Consumers in New York are faring better than those in 30 other states, though New Yor...

PUBLICATIONS

The Self-Sufficiency Standard for New York State 2010

This report measures the income and earnings necessary for families to be self-suffic...

The River Runs Dry: Decreased Access to Mortgage Credit in Rochester’s Underserved Neighborhoods

This report documents a dramatic decrease in prime mortgage lending made between 2006...

NEWSLETTERS

Legal Services Journal - Summer 2010 :

Empire Justice Center's quarterly newsletter for advocates. Read More

June 2010 :

The Disability Law News is Empire Justice Center's quarterly newsletter for disability advocates. Read More

Recent Documents

GRCRC Wants Stronger CRA Regulations
August 27, 2010
The Greater Rochester Community Reinvestment Coalition, convened by Empire Justice Center, urges federal agencies to strengthen and expand regulations governing the Community Reinvestment Act. Read More

Medicaid Expansion in Federal Health Care Reform
August 20, 2010
“The Gift of the MAGI” is a famous O. Henry short story about a poverty-stricken husband and wife who make personal sacrifices to give each other gifts. MAGI is also the name of the new form of Medicaid budgeting that will be required of all states starting in 2014 under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). It stands for Modified Adjusted Gross Income. Read More

Freedom of Information Law...May the FOIL Be With You
August 19, 2010
New York’s Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), Public Officers Law (POL), Article 6, Sections 84-90 allows the public to access the records of state and local government agencies. The legislative declaration grandly proclaims that government is the public’s business and people have the right to know the information behind governmental decision-making, access to which “should not be thwarted by shrouding it with the cloak of secrecy or confidentiality. Read More

Recent Reports

The Self-Sufficiency Standard for New York State 2010  This report measures the income and earnings necessary for families to be self-sufficient in every county of the state.   Read More
 

The River Runs Dry: Decreased Access to Mortgage Credit in Rochester’s Underserved Neighborhoods  This report documents a dramatic decrease in prime mortgage lending made between 2006 and 2008 in Rochester, NY, and highlights that low-income communities and neighborhoods of color were hardest hit by the drop-off in lending.   Read More
 

Paying More for the American Dream IV  A report documenting a dramatic decrease in low-cost home loans and highlighting that communities of color were hardest hit by the drop-off in lending.  Read More
 

Recent Online Trainings

SSI Income and Resources
June 15, 2010
This two-hour workshop will focus on “non-disability issues” involving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims that are not generally covered elsewhere, including income and resource rules, as well as living arrangements. Read More

Child Care: Legal Issues Affecting Low-Income Parents and Providers
June 12, 2010
This presentation reviews the various types of child care assistance available to low-income families, including public assistance related child care, Transitional Child Care, and subsidies. Read More

Public Assistance Issues for Teens and Young Adults / Housing Advocacy to Prevent Children from Languishing in Foster Care
June 12, 2010
This presentation will address some of the benefits and assistance available to teenagers, young adults and young families, approximately ages 16-22. Benefit areas covered will include cash assistance, Food Stamps, Medicaid and housing resources for teens and young adults who are living on their own or aging out of foster care. Read More