Public Assistance Budgeting and the New Child Support Distribution Rules
January 16, 2010
On October l, 2009, the rules regarding the distribution of child support arrears to families on public assistance changed. Families who apply for public assistance on or after that date will have child support arrears disbursed directly to them even though they receive assistance. The arrears of recipients of public assistance who assigned their child support rights to the local social services district before October 1, 2009, will continue to be collected and retained by the local social services district. Read More

Empire Justice Center's Legislative Agenda 2009-2011
January 16, 2010
The Summer issue of the Legal Services Journal highlighted many legislative initiatives for 2009-2011 and provided a “Legislative Scorecard” on those initiatives with detailed articles on a broad array of issue areas. This article will review those initiatives and add to the Legislative Scorecard as we move into the New Year. Read More

Empire Justice Joins Advocates to Decry Mid-Year Cuts
November 5, 2009
Press release announcing the press conference organized by New Yorkers for Fiscal Fairness, the Fiscal Policy Institute, Empire Justice Center and others to talk about alternatives to Governor Paterson's proposed DRP. Read More

Empire Justice Center's Initial Reaction to Deficit Reduction Plan for 2009-10 State Budget
October 30, 2009
The primary concern is that reductions in services for those who have been most impacted by the recession will ultimately result in pushing more people over the edge into desperation and emergent circumstances that are even more costly for the state – from homeless shelters to emergency rooms and even prisons. Read More

Empire Justice Center 2009-11 Legislative Agenda Scorecard
August 14, 2009
(current as of 8/4/09) Read More