Legal Clinic for the Homeless
New York Expands Access to Child Care for Families with Limited Income
by CBJC StaffAugust 31, 2022
In April 2022, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced the State’s plan to materially increase child care funding for families with limited income. The State will invest as much as $7 billion in the next four years to improve the accessibility, affordability, and quality of child care.
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New CBJC Pro Bono “Recoupment Project” Brings Thousands of Dollars in Relief to Family with Mounting Utility Bills
by Lisa Pearlstein, Esq.December 21, 2021
*Monica Velez is a single mother in New York City unable to work due to medical conditions and physical limitations. Her resiliency and consistent advocacy has helped her family overcome many obstacles including homelessness and health issues.
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Up to $10,000 in Benefits Available Now for Eligible Households with Utility Arrears
by Lisa Pearlstein, Esq.December 20, 2021
Under the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, a one-time Regular Arrears Supplement (RAS) benefit of up to $10,000 is now available for eligible households to help pay for gas and/or electricity arrears. The benefit will be available through September 2022 or until funds are exhausted, whichever occurs first.
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End of Pandemic-Related SNAP Benefits Blunts Impact of October Increase in SNAP
by Lisa Pearlstein, Esq.October 13, 2021
Beginning in October 2021, recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, will see a modest increase in benefits. The Biden Administration revised the Thrifty Food Plan, which is used to set the SNAP benefit amounts that recipients receive monthly.
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Individuals Experiencing Homelessness Face Challenges Accessing Menstrual Products
by CBJC StaffAugust 10, 2021
For many among the approximately 45,000 individuals currently living in New York City shelters, menstrual products represent a basic and critical need. Lack of access to and affordability of menstrual products places a significant burden on the lives of those who are experiencing homelessness.
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Legal Clinic for the Homeless Secures the Basics for Shelter Residents During the Pandemic
by Lisa Pearlstein, Esq. and Kyara MartinezNovember 19, 2020
Every person deserves food on their plate and a stable roof over their head. Unfortunately, hunger and homelessness are a reality for far too many people.
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Homeless Need Internet Access to Find a Home: A Client Story – Part 2
by CBJC StaffJune 24, 2020
In Part 1 of “Homeless Need Internet Access to Find a Home”, the City Bar Justice Center published a white paper from meetings with shelter residents in 2019 showing homeless family shelters didn’t have reliable Wi-Fi and access to technology. We surveyed 84 families and shared their struggles to find work, do homework, and locate permanent housing. The white paper also looked at other cities that were able to provide Wi-Fi to their homeless population.
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Homeless Need Internet Access to Find a Home: The City Bar Justice Center Documents Lack of Technology in NYC Homeless Shelters – Part 1
by Cheryl LopezMay 20, 2020
The lack of access to technology – specifically Internet access – in homeless shelters severely hampers shelter residents in finding permanent housing, a report by the City Bar Justice Center (CBJC) finds. Further, the report highlights how lack of access to the Internet and technology creates significant academic barriers for homeless students – an issue that is suddenly front and center as schools moved to remote learning during the COVID-19 crisis.
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The Legal Clinic for the Homeless is on a Mission to Support New York City’s Most Vulnerable During COVID-19
by CBJC StaffMay 19, 2020
New Yorkers served by the City Bar Justice Center’s Legal Clinic for the Homeless (LCH) are among the most vulnerable community members who have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. Since then, LCH has been highly responsive in addressing the immediate needs of their clients, mainly homeless and poverty-stricken New Yorkers in need of essential public assistance benefits to make it through the pandemic.
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