Justice Center News
The Justice Center News blog features our advocacy on issues affecting low-income New Yorkers today and the latest CBJC happenings. For press releases, click here. For publications, click here.
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.
Read more
Federal Student Loan Relief Slated To Help Millions of Borrowers
by Ramona Morel, Esq.August 25, 2022
Ramona Morel is the director of the Consumer Bankruptcy Project. Student loan debt stands at $1.5 trillion, and is one of the biggest factors contributing to household debt. This is particularly true for those facing socioeconomic and other systemic barriers, including in particular Black borrowers, and women in general. Statistical reports show that Black students … Continue reading Federal Student Loan Relief Slated To Help Millions of Borrowers
Read more
Survivors of Domestic Violence Grapple with the Effects of Economic Abuse
by Kyara MartinezAugust 22, 2022
Kyara Martinez was the Project Coordinator for the City Bar Justice Center’s Legal Clinic for the Homeless and Pro Bono Initiatives department. *Disclaimer: Please note that pseudonyms have been used to protect the identity of CBJC program recipients and to preserve attorney-client confidentiality. More than forty percent of families that enter New York City shelters … Continue reading Survivors of Domestic Violence Grapple with the Effects of Economic Abuse
Read more
Recent New York State and Federal Debt Collection Regulations Increase Consumer Protections
by Ramona Morel, Esq.July 6, 2022
Ramona Morel is the director of the Consumer Bankruptcy Project. Individuals burdened with consumer debt have long grappled with abusive debt collection practices. Many have faced lawsuits on debts that were too old to be sued on, or dealt with defendant creditors without proof that debt was owed. In other instances, individuals have had default … Continue reading Recent New York State and Federal Debt Collection Regulations Increase Consumer Protections
Read more
CBJC’s Veterans Assistance Project Responds to the VA’s Proposed Changes to Mental Health Evaluations
by CBJC StaffJune 7, 2022
As of March 31, 2022, nearly 5.3 million veterans were receiving payments from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (the “VA”) for their service-connected disabilities. Each year, millions of veterans rely on VA benefits for access to vital medical care and essential resources.
Read more
Social Security Benefits Extended to Same-Sex Partner Survivors after Years of Legal Battles
by Sofia ColosimoMay 11, 2022
For decades, LGBTQ partners experienced setbacks in accessing social security benefits upon a partner’s death, often due to discriminatory marriage laws. However, recent legal developments have increased accessibility to these benefits for same-sex couples, declaring the unconstitutionality of previous qualifications and making previously-denied survivors eligible for back pay.
Read more