CLIENTS Needed to Serve on NPLS Board of Directors
Board members play a critical role in moving any non-profit organization forward. At NPLS, we have openings for client representatives from any of the 20 Northeast PA counties to serve as board members.
It is vital to NPLS that clients have a voice on our board to ensure quality services are provided to those in need. Client board members can expect to meet 6 times per year during their 3-year term. Additional meetings are scheduled on an as needed basis. Board meetings are convened throughout the NPLS service area. The main responsibilities of board members include promoting the NPLS mission and purpose, planning and evaluating the organization’s work, and establishing policies to guide that work. All board members are ambassadors on behalf of NPLS helping to make our community in Northeastern, PA a better place to live and work.
Interested individuals may call Vicki Coyle, NPLS Executive Director at 610-317-5308.
From LSC–Staff Reductions Hit Legal Aid Hard
Washington, DC—The nonprofit programs funded by the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) to deliver civil legal assistance to low-income Americans are implementing layoffs and staff reductions because of budget constraints, a survey conducted by LSC found.
According to the survey, LSC-funded programs anticipate laying off 393 employees, including 163 attorneys, in 2012. The reductions continue a staffing downturn that began about a year ago. In December 2010, LSC-funded programs employed 4,351 attorneys, 1,614 paralegals and 3,094 support staff. During 2011, LSC programs reduced their staffing by 833 positions through layoffs and attrition. They now anticipate a new round of layoffs this year, bringing the staffing loss to 1,226 full-time personnel.
The survey was conducted in late December and early January, and 132 of the 135 nonprofit legal aid programs funded by LSC responded.
“These staff cutbacks are devastating,” LSC President James J. Sandman said. “At a time when low-income families are increasingly seeking legal assistance with matters involving domestic violence, foreclosure, veterans’ benefits and other matters, I am very concerned that these staff reductions will lead to reduced services for the most vulnerable among us.”
LSC-funded programs have experienced a decline in LSC and state grants, funds from Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts (IOLTA), and other revenue sources over the last two years. LSC—the nation’s single largest funder of civil legal assistance—received $348 million from Congress for Fiscal Year 2012, down from $420 million in Fiscal 2010.
LSC was established by the Congress in 1974 to provide equal access to justice and to ensure the delivery of high-quality civil legal assistance to low-income Americans. The Corporation currently provides funding to 135 independent nonprofit legal aid programs in every state, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories.
The Corporation’s grants help address the civil legal needs of the elderly, veterans, victims of domestic violence, individuals with disabilities and others with pressing civil matters. More than 60 million Americans have incomes at or below 125 percent of the federal poverty line and qualify for civil legal assistance—an income of $13,613 for an individual and $27,938 for a family of four.
The Lycoming Law Association’s Patricia (Tricia) Shipman honored with the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s 2011 Pro Bono Award
The Lycoming Law Association’s Patricia (Tricia) Shipman was honored January 9, 2012 with the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s 2011 Pro Bono Award. Shipman started her career as a legal services attorney. But it is for her sense of professional and personal responsibility that she was nominated for this award, not for her former employment. Helping those whose access to the courts is compromised by their economic status is what led Shipman to a career in Legal Services and it is also what she continues to believe and demonstrate in her career as a private attorney.
Since entering private practice Shipman has consistently exceeded the “three referral a year mandate” of the Law Association. She is known at North Penn Legal Services (NPLS) as one of the attorneys of last resort, someone who can be contacted when the NPLS staffers have tried everyone else to no avail, knowing that Shipman will generally say yes if at all possible to a call for help for the neediest among us. She also takes cases that NPLS generally doesn’t handle but that are corollary to an issue NLPS is handling and the client has no money to hire someone to represent them in that matter. Shipman was willing to take a very complicated and protracted divorce knowing full well she would be litigating several issues, all pro bono. Her willingness to handle SSI and SSD cases and children’s cases has enabled NPLS to reduce its caseload in those areas and expand in other areas where there was a great need developing. And when NPLS is short staff or for some other reason unable to take on new cases Shipman has contracted with NPLS for
Judicare representation. She champions the cause of legal services not only within the bar but in the community and among other agencies. Shipman has served on the Legal Services to the Indigent Committee and is one of the main supporters of the Law Association donating money to causes that help the clients of NPLS, like the donation to the Saving Grace shelter.
At a time when Pennsylvania is dealing with a civil legal aid crisis which sees more than half the people who make it to a legal aid office and qualify for legal aid being turned away from receiving such help because of a lack of resources, Shipman’s commitment of pro bono service is a tremendous example for other lawyers and the public at large.
Free Workshop on January 26: Renters’ Rights in Marcellus Country
NPLS and Clean Water Action will offer a free workshop on Renters’ Rights in Marcellus Country on January 26 from 3-4 PM. Renters’ Rights in Marcellus Country will be held at the Wyoming County Emergency Management Agency. The address is 3880 SR 6, Tunkhannock, PA 18657. Registration is not required.
As natural gas drilling increases in northeast Pennsylvania, many tenants may find that their homes no longer meet their basic needs. They may find their water changing, air quality diminishing or unbearable noise makes the home they have a rented into a place they just can’t live. What can you do if drilling activity is making your place unlivable? Come to this session to learn about signs that your water might have gone bad, your landlords obligations when the environment dramatically changes and how you can stand up for your right to rent that pays for a liveable dwelling.
Lycoming Law Association Recognizes Attorneys for Pro Bono Work
The Lycoming Law Association recognized attorneys for their pro bono work at the 2012 Annual Meeting on January 9. Pictured to the right are Pro bono award winner, Judge Richard Gray, and public service award winner, William Nichols, with LLA President, J. Michael Wiley. For the complete awards list click on this link 2011 equal access and 100 percent.
The Lycoming Law Association Members and their staff handled a record breaking 219 new pro bono cases for calendar year 2011. This included direct service representation, 2 divorce clinics, and 23 custody clinics. The complete attorney list can be accessed here 2011 fair share award 1 3 12. To read the full pro bono report click on the following link 2011 PRO BONO REPORT.
Attention: PPL On Track CAP Customers
PPL filed notice that it is planning to implement a CAP-Plus payment plan beginning December 1, 2011. This plan may add $8 per month to every OnTrack customer’s bill beginning in December. The intent of the program is to recoup LIHEAP money that had in the past been applied to support the cost of the OnTrack program and which was paid by other non-CAP ratepayers.
If you are a PPL customer enrolled in OnTrack, please call or email the Pennsylvania Utility Law Project (PULP) at (800) 322-7572 ext. 205 or pulp@palegalaid.net so that PULP can explain the situation to you and determine whether you are interested in challenging the implementation of CAP-Plus by PPL.
Applications for 2011-2012 LIHEAP season are available November 1
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, also known as LIHEAP, helps low-income families pay their heating bills. LIHEAP is a grant that offers assistance in the form of a cash grant, sent directly to the utility company, or a crisis grant for households in immediate danger of being without heat.
How to Apply: There are three different ways you can apply for LIHEAP, online, on paper, or in person
1. You can apply for the LIHEAP benefits online by using COMPASS. COMPASS is the name of the website where you can apply for LIHEAP and many other services that can help you make ends meet.
2. Download an application for LIHEAP benefits by clicking on the links below and return it to your local county assistance office, or
3. File an application at your local county assistance office.
For more information, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare website at http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/foradults/heatingassistanceliheap/S_000960 or contact the LIHEAP hotline at 1-866-857-7095, Monday through Friday (individuals with hearing impairments may call the TDD number at 1-800-451-5886).
Check Out Our Latest Newsletter
To read NPLS’ latest newsletter, click on the following link. http://www.northpennlegal.org/docs/newsletter_fall_2011.pdf
Resources for Flood Victims
Flood victims from the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre Area can visit http://www.helpline-nepa.info/ for phone numbers, shelter, FEMA status, etc.
Residents in Luzerne County:
INFORMATION FROM THE COUNTY ASSISTANCE OFFICE
The County’s Disaster Relief Center (DRC) is located at Luzerne County Community College. The DRC is open 7 days a week from 10:00 a.m.– 7:00 p.m.
Current recipients of food stamps/SNAP who lost food because of flooding, power outages, etc. are eligible for replacement food stamps. Additionally, recipients may be eligible for a supplemental increase in food stamps.
Non-recipients of food stamps may be eligible for food stamps. The County Assistance Office is making available the D-SNAP program. This program is for individuals not currently receiving food stamps. The usual welfare rules/regulations are being waived/relaxed due to the recent hurricane and flooding. You can apply at the County Assistance Office or the DRC. You will need proof of identity and something that shows you live in the flood zone (a utility bill, etc.).
IMPORTANT: THIS PROGRAM IS AVAILABLE ONLY FROM SEPTEMBER 20 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 27.
These programs are available to anyone affected by either Hurricane Irene and/or Tropical Storm Lee
(flooding).
To download post flooding information and resources fact sheet, click on the following pdf file. 2011 Disaster Recovery Initiative
For information about the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Office of Disaster Assistance low-interest loans to homeowners, retners, businesses of all sizes and private, non-profit organizations visit www.sba.gov or call the SBA customer service center at 1-800-659-2955.
The Luzerne County Courthouse will reopend on September 12 as well as other county offices. The parking garage on Water Street is closed. Parking will be available along both sides of River Street between North and Market Streets. The Brominski Building is closed. All jury trials are postponed and will be rescheduled. Orphan’s Court and Family Court proceddings will be held at Penn Place. The Orphan’s Court filing office also is relocated to Penn Place. The Office of District Judge Johny Hasay in Shickshinny is closed due to emergency conditions pending further notice.
Residents in Towanda:
Update: DPW has returned to Progress Plaza as of October 10, 2011.
The Social Security office located at 1 Elizabeth St. in Towanda is closed because of flood damage until further notice.
Most Social Security services do not require a visit to an office. For example, anyone wishing to apply for benefits, sign up for direct deposit, replace a Medicare card, obtain a proof of income letter or inform us of a change of address or telephone number may do so at www.socialsecurity.gov or by dialing our toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213. People who are deaf or hard of hearing may call our TTY number, 1-800-325-0778.
If visiting the local office for face-to-face service is required, the office nearest to Towanda is located 35 miles away in Elmira, N.Y., at 100 West Church Street, Suite 201. The closest office in Pennsylvania is located 60 miles away in Scranton, at 409 Lackawanna Avenue, Suite 500. Office hours at both offices are 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except federal holidays.
Also displaced is the Department of Public Welfare (DPW). Contact information can be found below.
Statewide customer service center 1-977-395-8930 report changes, questions etc. Go online www.compass.state.pa.us to apply for benefits, renew benefits, etc.
How to Apply for Disaster Assistance from FEMA:
Information on available disaster assistance from FEMA is included in the following attachment.
How to Help Flood Victims: Find Housing or Offer Housing to Rent
One of the greatest needs for flood victims of Hurricane Irene andTropical Storm Lee is housing. If you own either a second home, apartment, rental property, or know of someone that does own such a housing unit, your fellow Pennsylvanians could use your help by renting them that space. Please consider listing or sharing information about this opportunity to list apartments, condos, and houses anywhere in Pennsylvania, but particularly in those areas hit by the recent storms.
The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency is supporting the Commonwealth’s and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA’s) efforts to identify and provide rental housing through a website to list such properties. If you are interested in listing your property for rent, please visit the website “PAHousingSearch.com” or call 1-877-428-8844. There is no cost for using this service.
Check back often for updates.
