Empire Justice Memo of Support: S.1021 (Kruger)- Allow Families to Earn Their Way to the Poverty Level

Repealing Social Services Law 131-a(10) will help assure the success of families leaving welfare, allowing them to earn their way to poverty. Read More

Empire Justice Memo of Support: A.1296 (Wright)- Repeal The 185% Earned Income Cap

When New York State passed its welfare reform initiative in 1997, working families on public assistance were promised that they could earn their way to the poverty level with the state’s enhanced earnings disregards. Read More

Empire Justice Memo of Support: A.1406/S.4140- Protect the Homes of Welfare Recipients

New York is one of only two states in the nation that takes deeds and mortgages against the homes of welfare recipients to recover the public assistance paid to these homeowners. Read More

Empire Justice Center Letter in Support of Allowing More Time to Pay Utility Arrears

A.7449/S.3638 would extend the time period for repaying utility assistance provided by local social services districts from one year to two years. Read More

Empire Justice Urges Governor to Sign Bill to Improve Access to Child Care Assistance

This bill encourages applicants for and recipients of child care subsidies to obtain orders of child support, but makes clear that such applicants and recipients may not be required to obtain such orders as a condition of receiving a subsidy. Read More

Empire Justice Comments on the Emergency Reduction of the Enhanced Market Rate for Legally Exempt Child Care Providers

This letter is regarding the emergency rulemaking amendment to 18 NYCRR 415.9 that reduces the reimbursement rate for legally-exempt in home and family child care providers. Read More

Empire Justice Comments on Proposed Amendments to 18 NYCRR §§385.6 and 385.7

We strongly support these proposed modifications to the extent that they enhance public assistance recipient access to education and training activities. We also discuss our concerns with certain aspects of the regulations which we fear may hinder progress toward this crucial objective. Read More

Empire Justice Comments on proposed OTDA regulations

Comments on proposed OTDA regulations concerning PA recipient access to educational activities Read More

Empire Justice Center Testimony at the Executive Budget Hearing on Human Services

Testimony before the Joint Legislative Committees on human services in the 2010-2011 executive budget. Read More

Empire Justice Center Testimony on the Governor's Proposed Deficit Reduction Plan

In the Governor’s proposed Deficit Reduction Plan, several funding streams, are slated for substantial cuts that will not only undermine your commitment and the Assembly’s commitment to legal assistance, but will also result in INCREASED costs to the state. Read More

Empire Justice Center Testimony at the Public Protection Hearing for 2009-2010

For the Empire Justice Center, state funding is a critical part of our annual budget – with it we are able to provide training, support and technical assistance in a broad array of substantive law areas to legal services staff throughout the state. Read More