Injunction Denied in Fleeing Felon Case
June 1, 2007
A district court in New York has denied a request for a preliminary injunction in litigation challenging SSA’s practice of suspending benefits of any recipient who has an outstanding warrant alleging a violation of probation or parole without a finding that the person is actually violating probation or parole. Read More
Child Support Desk Reviews:
New State Procedures Frustrate Those Seeking Relief
June 1, 2007
An Administrative Directive promulgated by the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) last year was intended to assist low income individuals on public assistance and those recently on public assistance when they believe they had not received all the child support to which they are entitled. Instead, the Administrative Directive outlines a two-tiered review process which directs requests to the Child Support Helpline, a broad based phone system which includes long waits on hold. Read More
Path to Citizenship Scattered with Landmines
June 1, 2007
On May 17, 2007, Senators working on the arduous task of putting together a comprehensive immigration reform deal announced an agreement on a possible immigration package. The agreement itself is significant considering the importance of the issue in our country and how many people this could affect. However significant the new proposal might be, some of the provisions need great improvement. Read More
IOLA “Comparability” Regulations Proposed
June 1, 2007
Proposed changes to the IOLA regulations could result in a $45 million infusion into legal services in New York State, restoring the system to its early 1990s capacity. Read More
Governor’s Goal: Food on the Table of Low Income Working Families
June 1, 2007
Government statistics show that in New York State, up to 40 percent of eligible households are not receiving this vital assistance. The proportion of working households that are eligible but do not participate is even higher - well over half. Read More
President’s Corner
February 1, 2007
It’s exciting, exhausting, challenging and at times frightening as we work to move the state into a new day in the delivery of civil legal services. Read More
Bank Freeze Problems Attract Attention
June 1, 2007
Despite the protections afforded to recipients of Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits by 42 U.S.C. §407 exempting benefits from creditors, advocates hear countless stories from clients whose bank accounts have been seized or frozen. The plight of these clients and the dubious actions taken by their creditors and banks are finally receiving some well-deserved scrutiny. Read More
