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Volume 20, Issue 4 - Fall 2024
READING, Pa. - The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency announced millions in criminal justice and crime prevention grant funding to be awarded to six entities in Berks County.
The recipients and funding, which included a total of $2,263,680 in awarded funds, were announced Wednesday.
Connections Work will receive $135,773 for reentry coalition coordination as part of an Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant.
A federal STOP Violence Against Women Formula Grant will provide SAFE Berks $125,000 to support the Berks County STOP team.
The following funds were awarded as part of the Federal Victims of Crime Fund Program:
Berks County Commissioners will receive $131,862 to enhance services for Berks County crime victims.
CASA of Berks County is slated to get $45,183 to support the continuation of child victim advocacy services.
Community Justice Project was granted $42,928 in funds for immigration legal services for victims.
SAFE Berks received $1,136,592 to support victims of crime.
MidPenn Legal Services was awarded $646,342 for the Legal Intervention for Victims Empowerment program.
“Today’s awards acknowledge the tremendous services these grant recipients are delivering for the people of Berks County,” said State Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks.) “I’m grateful to the PCCD for making these investments that will support victims and provide them opportunities to seek the services and assistance they need,” she added.
State College, PA. MidPenn Legal Services will be hosting its annual “Access to Justice Awards” on Thursday, September 26th, 2024, at the Mt. Nittany Overlook Event Center, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. This event is a unique opportunity for the legal community to spotlight and elevate promising practices in access to justice.
The Access to Justice Awards celebrate local justice heroes, who have supported and delivered MidPenn’s mission of providing high-quality, free legal representation to those who need it the most. The event will honor volunteer attorneys, Pro Bono attorneys, and partner law firms that have dedicated their time and expertise to improving the lives of clients and strengthening the communities where we live and work through impactful legal services.
MidPenn Legal Services is a nonprofit law firm that provides free legal representation, advice, and education to low-income residents and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault across 18 counties in Central Pennsylvania. The counties served include Adams, Bedford, Berks, Blair, Centre, Clearfield, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Huntington, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Mifflin, Perry, Schuylkill, and York.
For additional information regarding the event, please contact Eliz Nestorov, at 717-234-0492, ext. 2215.
Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) is proud to announce the appointment of the following Social Justice Ambassadors to the PHRC.
LaTarsha Brown- Lehigh County
Rick Cephas- Lackawanna County
Makaila Davis- Delaware County
Cole Goodman- Dauphin County
Taylor Frey- Union County
Tiffiney L. Hall- Dauphin County
Julie Hazzard- Chester County
Tracy Herz- Bucks County
Kennedy Holt- Dauphin County
Selena King- Erie County
Jay Hynes- York County
Eliz Nestorov- Dauphin County
Brittany Schofield- Cumberland County
Lenore Sears-Gay- Philadelphia County
“We are proud to announce the appointment of our Social Justice Ambassadors,” said PHRC Executive Director Chad Dion Lassiter, MSW. “These remarkable social justice allies are the eyes and ears for the PHRC in communities across the 67 counties in the Commonwealth. With only three regional offices in Harrisburg, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh, the PHRC is unable to always be accessible. It is through our Social Justice Ambassadors, the PHRC can learn about the issues and concerns facing different areas and we can reach more people, providing them with a valuable information about their right to live, work, and play free from discrimination.”
The PHRC envisions having a Social Justice Ambassador for each county in Pennsylvania to serve that area’s unique community needs. The Social Justice Ambassadors:
Promote awareness of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act and the Commission. Refer education, employment, housing, commercial property, or public accommodation discrimination complaints from community members to the PHRC. Keep the PHRC updated on incidents of hate and bias in your community.
Notify the PHRC of community activities and events. Help the PHRC find spaces for outreach events, meetings, and/or hearings. Ambassadors meet virtually with a PHRC liaison to receive news, updates, and discussions of the latest issues. Initially, meetings will take place monthly. Information about how to apply to become a Social Justice Ambassador can be found on the PHRC website.
About PHRC: The PHRC enforces state laws that prohibit illegal discrimination in education, employment, housing & commercial property, and public accommodation. In general, Pennsylvania law prohibits discrimination based on race; color; religious creed; ancestry; age (40 and over); sex; national origin; familial status (only in housing); disability; the use, handling, or training of support or guide animals for a disability; or retaliation. If you feel you have experienced illegal discrimination, you can file a complaint by calling 717-787-4410. Information and resources are also available on our website. Follow the PHRC on X, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube, and subscribe to our monthly newsletter.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (July 18, 2024) — Pennsylvania Bar Association President Nancy Conrad has named 15 Pennsylvania lawyers to the 2024-25 class of the association’s Bar Leadership Institute (BLI). “BLI provides an extraordinary opportunity to look inside the PBA, including PBA operations, governance and leadership,” said Nancy Conrad, PBA president. “The program assists BLI participants to define their path forward in leadership: in their practice, the association and the profession. I look forward to assisting in this process and the development of leaders in the law.”
The new BLI class members include:
Blair County
Krystal T. Edwards, Beard Legal Group PC, Altoona
Bucks County
Nicole M. Durso, Stark & Stark, PC, Yardley
Gabriel T. Montemuro, Antheil Maslow & MacMinn LLP, Doylestown
Dauphin County
Lynette Carter, Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott LLC, Harrisburg
Adrianne Rachelle McClendon, Pennsylvania Department of State, Harrisburg
Natalie E. Sheer, Legislative Reference Bureau of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg
Erie County
Philip J. Seaver-Hall, Knox McLaughlin Gornall & Sennett PC, Erie
Lancaster County
Luke T. Weber, Barley Snyder LLP, Lancaster
Montgomery County
Merideth Ketterer, Heckscher, Teillon, Terrill & Sager PC, West Conshohocken
Lewis A. Sebia, Elliott Greenleaf PC, Blue Bell
Northampton County
William E. Hutcheson III, Florio Perrucci Steinhardt Cappelli Tipton & Taylor LLC, Easton
Philadelphia County
Rachel King, Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC, Philadelphia
Sean M. Perez, Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, Philadelphia
Tioga County
Jamie L. Cook, Stephen J. Banik & Associates, Wellsboro
York County
Yinet Pérez Vega, MidPenn Legal Services, York
This year’s BLI co-chairs are Tyesha C. Miley, assistant counsel, Governor’s Office of General Council, Harrisburg and Jonathan D. Koltash, past chair of the PBA House of Delegates. To apply for the BLI, candidates had to demonstrate leadership ability, commit to attendance and participation in the required events, be currently licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania, be a PBA member, and be age 40 years or younger or have practiced five years or less.
The BLI was originally developed by Arthur L. Piccone of Kingston in 1995-96 during his year as PBA president to strengthen the PBA’s ongoing efforts to recruit and develop leaders of the association. The first chair of the institute, Gretchen A. Mundorff of Connellsville, re-launched the BLI when she became the 2010-11 president of the PBA. Its current purpose is to inform participants on the day-to-day operations, governance, resources and staffing of the association, as well as provide introductions to its various leadership opportunities.
About the Pennsylvania Bar Association
Founded in 1895, the Pennsylvania Bar Association strives to promote justice, professional excellence and respect for the law; improve public understanding of the legal system; facilitate access of legal services; and serve the lawyer members of the state’s largest organized bar association. For more information, visit pabar.org. Follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn.
Pennlive.com - The state House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a bill this week that would make purchasing fruit and vegetables easier for low-income Pennsylvanians.
The bill would establish the Food Bucks Program, crediting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients at least 40 cents for every dollar’s worth of SNAP benefits, known as food stamps, spent on fruits and vegetables and other healthy items that don’t have added sugars, fats, oils or salt. The program would be administered by a nonprofit of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s choosing.
The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.
“This added purchasing power will enable families to put more healthy food on their tables while also increasing the demand at our grocery stores, farmer’s markets, corner stores and other food retailers in our commonwealth,” one of the bill’s prime sponsors, Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Luzerne County, said on the House floor Wednesday. “Ensuring consistent access to nutritious food is essential to the healthy well-being of our Pennsylvanians, especially our children.”
Rep. Craig Williams, a Delaware County Republican, advocated for the bill on the House floor.
“If you’ve grown up poor, you know what food insecurity is about,” Williams said. “I grew up poor. There was a time in my young military family when my parents couldn’t afford food and we would split fruit and vegetables coming from my grandparents’ garden.”
Members of the Blair County Bar Association partnered with the PA Bar Association and offered Wills for Heroes to first responders in the community. Shown are (from left): Schawnne Kilgus, Esq.; Kate Hoover, Esq.; Jessica Fisher, Esq.; Krystal Edwards, Esq.; Matthew Dombrosky, Esq.; Danielle Donivan, Esq.; Hannah Dillard, Esq.; and Tyler Rowles, Esq. All are members of the Blair County Bar Association.
The Wills for Heroes program is a statewide program that enables attorneys to provide free estate planning packages for first responders, military veterans and their spouses/partners. The free estate planning package includes wills, financial power of attorney and healthcare power of attorney, AKA a living will. The Wills for Heroes program opened in PA in 2009 and since then almost 23,000 free estate planning packages have been planned for the first responders/military vets of Pennsylvania. More information can be found under Wills for Heroes at pabar.org.
Gettysburg Times - More than a dozen law enforcement members were recently recognized for going 'above and beyond' the call of duty. The Adams County Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Task Force held an awards' breakfast at the Adams County Department of Emergency Services building last week to honor local police departments and staff for their work in the community.
Adams County Assistant District Attorney Sara Miller said the breakfast was a way to "thank law enforcement for putting the time in their cases." Describing the cases, Miller said they are "time-consuming, emotional, and you never know what you are going to walk into."
York Dispatch - A free clinic on May 22 will help York County residents seal prior criminal records and expunge non-convictions from those records.
MidPenn Legal Services, the York County Bar Association and the York County Bar Foundation are sponsoring the clinic from 5 to 7 p.m. Volunteer attorneys will be on hand to educate the community on the current law and recent changes to the criminal justice codes. The goal is to assist those eligible in expunging and/or permanently sealing their prior criminal records.
Benefits from getting non-convictions expunged is to help those seeking employment can truthfully say that they have never been convicted of a crime. More than 80% of employers conduct criminal background checks on employee candidates, organizers say. Criminal records hinder job prospects. Finding an apartment is also made more difficult with a criminal record. Landlords do criminal background checks on potential tenants. A conviction or arrest makes it less likely to secure that apartment or landlords may charge higher rents or require a bigger deposit.
For more information or to register, email Janelle Black at janelle.black@yorkbar.com or call 717-854-8755, Ext. 204.
York Dispatch - WASHINGTON — Scammers stole more than $3.4 billion from older Americans last year, according to an FBI report released Tuesday that shows a rise in losses through increasingly sophisticated criminal tactics to trick the vulnerable into giving up their life savings.
Losses from scams reported by Americans over the age of 60 last year were up 11% over the year before, according to the FBI's report. Investigators are warning of a rise in brazen schemes to drain bank accounts that involve sending couriers in person to collect cash or gold from victims.
“It can be a devastating impact to older Americans who lack the ability to go out and make money,” said Deputy Assistant Director James Barnacle of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “People lose all their money. Some people become destitute."
The FBI received more than 100,000 complaints by victims of scams over the age of 60 last year, with nearly 6,000 people losing more than $100,000. It follows a sharp rise in reported losses by older Americans in the two years after the 2020 coronavirus pandemic, when people were stuck at home and easier for scammers to reach over the phone.
Barnacle said investigators are seeing organized, transnational criminal enterprises targeting older Americans through a variety of schemes, like romance scams and investment frauds.
Huntingdon Daily News - A three-person panel assembled to discuss Pennsylvania’s pardon process fielded questions from local residents last week during the first public event hosted by the Huntingdon County Pardon Project at the Huntingdon County Library.
The new organization is trying to reach individuals with criminal records who are interested in applying for a pardon from the state of Pennsylvania. The organization is also recruiting prospective “pardon coaches” to provide support for applicants ready to tackle the years-long process.
Jenna Henry, Centre County resident, shared her first-hand account of navigating the pardon process from beginning to end. Convicted of a felony drug offense at age 21, she received a pardon from the state in 2023 at age 35.
Following her conviction, Henry committed herself to self-improvement. She found her passion in grass-roots advocacy and is currently serving as director of Central Pennsylvania United which focuses on issues impacting working class people.
Henry shared that, for the longest time, applying for a pardon wasn’t on her radar and that she didn’t understand who was even eligible to apply.
“I thought you had to be friends with the president to get a pardon, that it was this elusive thing” she said.
Zach Keasling of the Carlisle area, who serves on the Pardon Project steering committee and helps local chapters get off the ground, said the question of who can apply is at the center of much misconception but the answer is quite simple.
With a feeling of privilege and emotion, Rhodia D. Thomas ’77 is set to collect the School of Education’s Tolley Medal during the 2024 One University awards on April 19, which celebrates the honorable work and dedicated service of outstanding members of the Syracuse University community.
Syracuse University - “I can’t understate what it means to me,” says Thomas, who followed her teaching degree with one in law to further her support of disadvantaged students. “I feel like I’ve really come full circle. All the training and education that I received in my undergraduate degree from the School of Education really launched my career, and now I get to teach the area of the law that I’m most interested in: education.”
Opening Doors
The Tolley Medal pays tribute to one of the nation’s pre-eminent leaders in higher education, William Pearson Tolley, and is presented annually to recognize those who also make education a career legacy.
“All the training and education that I received in my undergraduate degree from the School of Education really launched my career.”
Thomas says she knows the exact moment she wanted to become a teacher and a lawyer. “It was at age 12, particularly due to my teacher, Mrs. Bracey,” she recalls. “She was a really great teacher, and I knew I wanted to be just like her.”
Since childhood, Thomas’s goal has been to give back: “My hope is to make the biggest impact by influencing people who didn’t have as much. I want to help give other people the opportunities I’ve had.”
Those opportunities center around education, which she firmly believes “opens doors.”
TUESDAY, April 9, 2024 (HealthDay News) -- Changes to the federal program that helps pay for groceries for low-income moms and their young children means that soon these families will have access to more fruits, vegetables and whole grains, U.S. health officials said Tuesday.
The final rule changes for the program known as WIC make an increase in monthly cash vouchers for fruits and vegetables permanent -- a change first enacted during the pandemic. Shoppers can also add canned fish, fresh herbs and lactose-free milk to their carts, among other options. The voucher change will take effect by June, officials said.
LEWISTOWN — PA CareerLink Mifflin County, in conjunction with Mid Penn Legal Services, will offer free Pardon and Expungement Clinics on March 28 and April 4. Appointments are available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at PA CareerLink Mifflin County, MCIDC Plaza, Bldg. 58, 6395 SR103N, Lewistown.
During these appointments, participants will meet one-on-one with an attorney to learn whether their criminal charges are eligible for expungement or sealing. They will be provided the required forms as well as advice on filing expungement petitions.
Pre-registration is required so the attorney can research your case before you meet. To schedule an appointment, call PA CareerLink at (717) 248-4942 before March 21.
The Pennsylvania Courts through its Office of Elder Justice in the Courts (OEJC) today announced a new, grant-funded pilot project with MidPenn Legal Services and the Dauphin County Orphans’ Court to provide free legal representation in all guardianship cases in Dauphin County for adults aged 60 and older.
“Guardianship is sometimes necessary for persons with diminished capacity or persons with a disability in managing their affairs,” said the OEJC’s Senior Judge Paula Francisco Ott. “The appointment of counsel through this partnership is a tremendous benefit to all older Pennsylvanians, further ensuring that their concerns, wishes and rights are respected and protected at every step of the legal process.”
This initiative aims to increase the appointment of counsel for and the frequency of attendance of the alleged incapacitated person or incapacitated person at guardianship proceedings, both key factors in ensuring due process and the preservation of their rights.
Working with MidPenn Legal Services, Dauphin County’s Orphans’ Court, under the leadership of Judge John McNally, will appoint counsel for all alleged incapacitated persons aged 60 and older unless they decline representation, elect to hire private counsel, or have counsel who was appointed by the court prior to the start of the pilot project. The Court and MidPenn Legal Services will also provide case data to the OEJC for analysis of grant goals and outcomes.
In Sept. 2022, the OEJC was awarded a three-year Elder Justice Innovation Grant from the federal Administration for Community Living to further its work to protect older Pennsylvanians and implement improvements in the handling of adult guardianships cases. Pennsylvania was one of three states to receive this grant.
The overarching goals of the OEJC’s grant are to:
Assure due process for alleged incapacitated or incapacitated persons
Improve guardianship monitoring capabilities to prevent abuse and exploitation
Promote alternatives to guardianships.
The grant work in Pennsylvania is overseen by the OEJC, which was established by the Supreme Court in 2015. The OEJC is committed to protecting Pennsylvania’s rapidly growing population of older adults from all forms of abuse and neglect; promoting best practices addressing elder abuse and neglect, guardianship and access to justice; and educating judges, court staff, attorneys, guardians, and the public about elder abuse and how to respond.
In collaboration with the Advisory Council on Elder Justice in the Courts, other elder justice entities, and branches of government, the OEJC works to enhance older Pennsylvanians’ ability to fully participate in legal proceedings.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHP) — Seniors in Dauphin County are getting some additional help.
The County officially announced the launch of their pilot program Thursday which will provide free legal representation for incapacitated individuals having to attend guardianship court proceedings.
A guardianship, or what is also known as a conservatorship, is when an adult is deemed incapable of making their own decisions, whether that may be financial or day-to-day choices, and a professional or family member steps in to make those decisions for them. However, sometimes, no one is there to advocate for the senior's rights.
“Oftentimes, they were living independently, in a house, buying their own groceries, making sure they’re tending to their own daily needs and they slip and fall, and all of a sudden they find themselves in a nursing home," said Nick Matash, an attorney for MidPenn Legal Services.
Personal possessions, childhood homes, or any personal autonomy or liberty are threatened with a petition for guardianship looming over their heads. Without an opportunity to be heard, legal experts say adults without representation become more likely to accept a life-altering decision made by the court.
“It’s the total loss of their pasts," said Matash.
This is why Dauphin County, the Office of Elder Justice in the Courts and the Dauphin County Orphans’ Court are working with MidPenn Legal Services to provide free legal representation for allegedly incapacitated adults 60 and older. They say one of the goals is to help them consider all of the necessary questions.
On Tuesday, Jan. 16, at 5:30 p.m., the Wyomissing Public Library will welcome Attorney Donald Smith and District Justice Eric Taylor for a presentation about Landlord-Tenant Relations. The program, which is free and open to the public, is part of a monthly series presented by the library in partnership with Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts.
Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts (“PMC”) is a nonpartisan nonprofit that “envisions a Pennsylvania judicial system in which everyone who participates is assured impartiality, fairness, accessibility, and respect. The program on Jan. 16 will outline the various duties and obligations expected of both landlords and tenants and how to seek recourse when these obligations are not met. It will cover how a case gets to court, courtroom etiquette, what happens in the courtroom, and the documentation you need to support your legal position,” whether you are a tenant or a landlord.
Attorney Smith is the former executive director of the Berks County Bar Association. Since 2018, he has been a volunteer attorney with MidPenn Legal Services, where he originated the Eviction Prevention Pilot program. Eric Taylor is the Magisterial District Justice for Court 23-2-02, which covers West Reading and Wyomissing. District Justice courts are the first courts in the process of reconciling landlord-tenant disputes.
The program is free and open to the public. Registration is requested: email ann@wyopublib.org or call the library at 610-37402385. The Wyomissing Public Library is located at 9 Reading Blvd., Wyomissing. On-street parking is available.
1/5/2024 - The Pennsylvania Office of Victim Services (OVS) is interested in learning more about the gaps and needs in services for individuals who have experienced hurt, personal harm, and loss.
This survey is anonymous and should take about 10 minutes to complete. Results will not be used for law enforcement purposes and you may stop taking the survey at any time. You must be over the age of 18 to complete the survey. Go to: https://iup.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1GNvbUsLyh0XYy2?UNIQID=1080
Pennlive.com - In the 10 years he’s been running a food pantry, Keith Bergey has never seen the situation as dire as it is these days.
“It’s catastrophic,” said Bergey, who runs Harvest of Hope Food Pantry at Saint Paul’s Union Church in York.
The pantry has just about reached its capacity to meet the demand for food assistance. The number of families who came through for the Thanksgiving holiday season alone was at a record high.
“It’s the worst this year,” said Bergey, who is logging substantial month-to-month increases in the number of families stopping by for food staples.
The situation is widespread across the region, the state and, indeed, the nation: Food banks and food assistance programs are reporting record-high demand from families unable to feed themselves.
In This Issue: PNA Survey Concludes with Great Response from PEERS, Training Calendar, Pumpkin Streusel Muffins, Virtual Resident Rights Bingo, Welcome New Volunteer, History of Scarecrows, Volunteers Opportunities, Residents' Rights Month, One Step at a Time - But Always Forward
To be a lawyer, you have to be intelligent. Right? If you are a judge, you have probably demonstrated a high level of intelligence as well. What does it mean to be intelligent? Are we all intelligent in the same way? What is emotional intelligence? What role, if any, does emotional intelligence have in our performance as attorneys or judges?
I, by no means, claim to possess a definitive answer to these questions. After all, I only have a bachelor's degree in psychology and a little over four decades on this planet. I do, however, declare myself a curious student of the matters of the brain and the mind.
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Every July, Disability Pride Month is a powerful reminder about the importance of disability rights. This July, it’s also a time to talk about Medicaid renewal scams that could affect millions of people with disabilities. To make sure people had insurance during the pandemic, states had to keep people enrolled in Medicaid — but that requirement has been phased out. So where do scams come in? Well, people eligible for Medicaid now have to re-enroll. If they’re not eligible for Medicaid, they need to find new insurance. And that means scammers will start targeting those people — including people with disabilities.
To avoid the scams, here’s what to know:
Medicaid won’t charge you to renew or enroll. Your state Medicaid agency may call, text, or email you to renew. But it won’t ask for money or information like your credit card or bank account number. Learn about eligibility at Medicaid.gov/renewals.
Start at HealthCare.gov if you need new insurance. HealthCare.gov compares insurance plans, coverage, prices, and your eligibility. It only asks for your monthly income and age to give you a price quote. Don’t share your bank account or credit card number to get a quote for health insurance. That’s a scam.
Scammers try to sell medical discount plans that are not medical insurance. Medical discount plans charge a monthly fee for supposed discounts on some medical services or products from a list of providers. They’re not a substitute for health insurance. Some plans just take your money for little or nothing in return. If anyone pressures you to sign up quickly for a medical discount plan, that’s a red flag.
During Disability Pride Month, share this information with your friends, family, colleagues, and social networks. And if you spot a scam, tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (June 21, 2023) — Pennsylvania Bar Association President Michael J. McDonald has named 12 Pennsylvania lawyers to the 2023-24 class of the association’s Bar Leadership Institute (BLI). “The young lawyers selected for the BLI are the future leaders of the PBA and the legal profession,” said McDonald. “This is yet another important way the PBA makes good lawyers better, better able to serve our profession, our communities and the administration of justice. This experience offers them the opportunity to be paired with PBA Board of Governors mentors who guide them through an in-depth look at the association’s operations. I am honored to work with them throughout the next year and watch them grow as professionals, make valuable connections and gain the confidence to serve as mentors for the next generation of lawyers.”
The new BLI class members include:
Adams County
Kathryn M. Dales, MidPenn Legal Services, Gettysburg
Beaver County
Kristine Grega, Beaver County Children and Youth Services, Beaver
Chester County
Matthew M. McKeon, MacElree Harvey Ltd., Chester
Columbia County
Jessica M. Lehman, Hill Turowski James & Lehman LLP, Bloomsburg
Dauphin County
Mark Kovalcin, Pennsylvania Health Insurance Exchange Authority, Harrisburg
Erie County
Boutros Imad, Knox McLaughlin Gornall & Sennett PC, Erie
Lancaster County
Lance D. Greene, Saxton & Stump, Lancaster
Lehigh County
Kristin N. Hutchins, Noonan Law Office, Allentown
Luzerne County
Joseph F. Saporito III; Saporito, Falcone & Watt; Pittston
Montgomery County
Kathryn M. Brady; Kane, Pugh, Knoell, Troy & Kramer LLP; Blue Bell
Franqui-Ann J. Raffaele; Hamburg, Rubin, Mullin, Maxwell & Lupin PC; Lansdale
Philadelphia County
Jessica E. Rodriguez, City of Philadelphia Law Department, Philadelphia
This year’s BLI co-chairs are PBA Vice President Kristen B. Hamilton, Law Office of Eric J. Weisbrod PC, Chambersburg; PBA past House of Delegates Chair Jonathan D. Koltash, Governor’s Office of General Counsel, Harrisburg; and past PBA Secretary Beverly H. Rampaul, Governor’s Office of General Counsel, Harrisburg. To apply for the BLI, candidates had to demonstrate leadership ability, commit to attendance and participation in the required events, be currently licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania, be a PBA member, and be age 40 years or younger or have practiced five years or less. The BLI was originally developed by Arthur L. Piccone of Kingston in 1995-96 during his year as PBA president to strengthen the PBA’s ongoing efforts to recruit and develop leaders of the association. The first chair of the institute, Gretchen A. Mundorff of Connellsville, re-launched the BLI when she became the 2010-11 president of the PBA. Its current purpose is to inform participants on the day-to-day operations, governance, resources and staffing of the association, as well as provide introductions to its various leadership opportunities.
[York PA – June 21, 2023] The York County Pardon Project is hosting a free expungement and pardon clinic on Wednesday, July 12, 2022, from 5-7 pm at the First Presbyterian Church, 225 E. Market Street, York. Lawyers will be on site at this free clinic to answer questions and discuss if an expungement, sealing of the record or a pardon is an option. Registration is required. Contact Janelle.Black@yorkbar.com or call (717) 854-8755 x 204 to register. Eligibility requirements are as follows: 1) Arrests/charges in York County only. 2) Must reside in York County. 3) No current criminal charges. 4) Not currently on probation or parole. 5) All applicants must be prepared to discuss any outstanding costs, fines, and restitution.
The Pardon Project is a statewide initiative spearheaded by the Philadelphia Lawyers for Social Equity (PLSE). Director Tobey Oxholm, Esq., has been instrumental in organizing many local pardon projects including that of York County. According to Oxholm, “Pardons are an amazing opportunity that almost no one knows about. A pardon from the Governor is the only way to get a conviction off your record, and today in Pennsylvania, more than two-thirds of the people applying are actually receiving a pardon. The Pardon Project is about neighbors helping neighbors apply. Pardon projects are community-based efforts that connect individuals whose criminal records are preventing them from securing employment, safe and affordable housing, and other opportunities, with people, pardon coaches, who have been trained in how to help.” See more at www.PardonMePA.org.
The York County Pardon Project was launched, and the first clinic was held in the fall of 2022. Partners include The Program, It’s About Change, the York County District Attorney’s Office, York County Clerk of Courts, York County Bar Association and York County Bar Foundation, MidPenn Legal Services, and others.
Led by Pardon Fellow DaShawn Harrison of The Program, It’s About Change with support from the York County Bar, to date 30 pardon coaches have been trained and 60 individuals have sought assistance. 28 have qualified and 16 have been successfully placed with a pardon coach. The remaining individuals were provided with other resources such as a referral, are working with another pardon project, have opted out or were ineligible. DaShawn noted, “Doing this work means a lot to me personally. I had 5 felonies and served 8 years and 7 months in state prison for drug-related crimes. Since I have been out, my life has been affected in every way possible by having a criminal record. Today, I am a father of four and active in helping youth in our community and have also served as a credible messenger in preventing gun violence. I am proud to be able to help others in this way having been in their shoes.”
For more information about the York County Pardon Project visit https://theprogramitsaboutchange.org/pardons
Inside This Issue: Welcome New Volunteers, What Does SPF Really Mean?, Summer Fruit Salad, PNA Survey in Process, Volunteer Opportunities, A Brief History of Ice Cream, Dandelions Are Flowers, Too!
If you get tons of scam text messages, you’re not alone. Lots of people have been reporting to the FTC that they’re getting texts from scammers impersonating people and organizations you know and trust — like your bank or companies like Amazon. An analysis of consumer reports reveals the top text scams from 2022. So, what are they? And how do you avoid them?
The latest FTC Data Spotlight explores how text scams try to get you to act NOW. Whether it’s the thrill of getting a free item or the panic about a large unauthorized charge, scammers know that these texts are hard to ignore. The most-reported text scam looks like a fraud alert from your bank, but it’s fake. It might say there’s suspicious activity on your account and tell you to call a number. Or to reply “yes or no” to confirm a big purchase (that you didn’t really make). But don’t do it. There is no real problem. They just want your money or personal information.
Another common text scam promises a “free gift”— if you click a link. But then they ask you for payment information to cover the “shipping cost.” If you give it, you’ll get unauthorized charges on your account…and no free gift.
So how do you avoid these and other text scams?
Don’t click on links or respond to unexpected texts. If you think a text might be legit, contact the company using a phone number or website you know is real. Don’t use the information in the text message.
Report text scams. Forward them to 7726 (SPAM). This helps your wireless provider spot and block similar messages.
And if you spot a text scam, the FTC wants to hear about it. Tell us what happened at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
WHYY - Thousands of Pennsylvanians could get free air conditioners this summer with federal utility assistance money traditionally used for heating.
It’s the second summer the state is using its Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) money to fund installation, repair or replacement of air conditioning units. “We’re just trying to keep up with climate change,” said Steve Luxton, CEO of the Energy Coordinating Agency, one of two local weatherization agencies that administer LIHEAP funds in Philadelphia. “Making sure that folks are not just comfortable but safe in their homes.”
Around the world, human-caused climate change is making heat waves more dangerous. Philadelphia summers have already gotten hotter, and heat is not distributed evenly in the city. The annual number of cooling degree days, a measure that reflects how long the outside temperature is above 65 degrees to illustrate air conditioning needs, in Philadelphia has trended up over the last five decades, according to an analysis by the nonprofit Climate Central. Going back to 1874, seven of the 10 years with the most cooling degree days in Philly have occurred since 2010, the group found. In the last 10 years, Philly has experienced 27% more cooling degree days than it did in the 1970s.
Many families in Philly live in old brick row houses, which can feel like brick ovens in the summer, Luxton said. Last year, at least seven Philadelphians died from heat-related causes.
“When I first got into this industry, [air conditioning] … was looked at as non-essential or non-critical, unlike heating,” Luxton said. “But I’m glad to see that the thinking has changed.” States are increasingly using federal utility assistance dollars to help low-income families afford air conditioning, said Mark Wolfe, director of the National Energy Assistance Directors Association, which represents the state officials that distribute LIHEAP funds. But going forward, more funding for cooling assistance is needed, he said. In a typical year, hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians get help paying their winter heating bills, fixing or replacing their heaters, buying fuel, or weatherizing their homes through LIHEAP. But until last year, the state had no focused effort to use this federal money to meet cooling needs during the summer.
Last summer, the state rolled out a pilot program to use some of this money to provide or repair air conditioning units for LIHEAP or weatherization recipients. More than 2,000 households received assistance, according to the state Department of Community & Economic Development, which runs the pilot program. The state is repeating the pilot program this summer, and extending the dates from May 1 to August 31. Officials expect it to serve more families. “We’re still calling it a pilot, because we’re still trying to work out the kinks,” said Kathryn Rulli, deputy director of Weatherization Assistance and Whole Home Repairs Programs in the Department of Community & Economic Development. “Beginning it earlier this year, we felt we’d have a stronger use of the funds.”
How to get free air conditioners this summer
To be eligible for Pennsylvania’s LIHEAP Crisis Cooling Pilot, a renter or homeowner needs to have already received some form of LIHEAP or weatherization assistance in the past 12 months. These programs are reserved for Pennsylvanians living at 150% or 200% of federal poverty income guidelines, respectively. State officials say more than 300,000 Pennsylvanians received this assistance in the past year, and therefore qualify for the summer air conditioner assistance program. If you qualify, you could get two Energy Star-rated room air conditioner units or one unit and a fan, repair or replacement of your existing but broken central air conditioning system, or repair or replacement of your existing but broken heat pump. Staff or contractors with your local weatherization agency will install the equipment for you.
To participate in the program, find the letter confirming you have received LIHEAP or weatherization assistance in the past year, then reach out to your local weatherization agency, as the application process may differ among agencies, state officials said. A list of local agencies by county can be found here. In Philadelphia, the Energy Coordinating Agency and Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation are administering the program. People can go in person to a Neighborhood Energy Center to apply. The Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation is reaching out to the roughly 350 people it provided heating services to in the past year to let them know they’re eligible for the summer cooling program, said spokesperson Jamila Davis. The Energy Coordinating Agency has begun installing air conditioners for some of the close to 3,000 Philly households it provided heating-related services to in the past year, Luxton said.
Pennsylvania’s LIHEAP Crisis Cooling Pilot only covers air conditioning equipment, not the cost of electricity bills to run that equipment. Many PECO customers will see their bills rise this summer, as the utility increases its supply rate. In Philadelphia, a disproportionate number of low-income, Black, and/or Hispanic households spend a high percentage of their income on energy — a pattern that reflects national trends. Some states, like Delaware, do provide cooling bill assistance using federal LIHEAP funds. Luxton, of the Energy Coordinating Agency, says Pennsylvania needs to follow their lead. “That needs to be first and foremost,” he said.
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services is “open to exploring” a cooling bill assistance program in the future, said spokesperson Natalie Scott in an email. But without additional funding, DHS would need to pull money away from the program that currently helps Pennsylvanians cover their winter heating bills. “We recognize that sweltering summer months can pose a threat to the health of vulnerable Pennsylvanians,” Scott wrote. “We plan to work in partnership with our stakeholders and advocates to analyze the demand and cost of these programs so we can balance these needs and serve the vulnerable citizens of the Commonwealth throughout the year.”
Centre Daily Times - Food prices have been increasing at a slower rate, but they remain higher than average, straining many wallets. The U.S. Department of Agriculture said costs rose 0.2% between March and April but were 7.7% higher than in April 2022. As of Thursday, all food prices are expected to increase 6.2% this year, the USDA said in a report. The costs are different depending on whether the food is purchased to eat at home or away from home. Grocery store prices are forecast to rise 6.3% while restaurant prices are expected to increase 7.7%. In 2022, overall food prices rose 9.9% (supermarket costs were up 11.4%, while restaurant prices rose 7.7%). The USDA now expects beef, veal and fresh fruits to see price increases, while pork prices are expected to decline.
Centre County residents who need help stretching their grocery budget amid these price changes have several places to turn. GROCERY GIVEAWAY Centre Church and New Beginnings Church hold a food distribution event on the third Friday of the month. It takes place from 6-7:30 p.m. at Centre Church, 119 E. College Ave., Pleasant Gap. Register at centrechurch.org/groceries. Participants should bring their own reusable bags to carry their groceries and note that the distribution is first come, first served. “We have all felt the budget strains caused by astronomical grocery prices. Through this event we hope to bless local individuals and families with supplemental groceries to help lighten the load,” Centre Church wrote on Facebook. FARMERS MARKET The Community Farmers Market at the Nittany Mall will give away local produce this summer.
The Progress - Ann B. Wood of Clearfield has been named “Woman of the Year” by the Clearfield Business and Professional Women’s Organization. Wood was born and raised in Clearfield. She is a graduate of Clearfield Area High School, Lycoming College and The University of Pittsburgh School of Law. Following graduation from law school in 1976, she became the first woman attorney in private practice in Clearfield County when she joined the law firm of Bell, Silberblatt & Swoope, now known as Bell, Silberblatt & Wood, a law firm founded by several attorneys, including her grandfather.
She has provided pro bono legal services through Mid Penn Legal Services, formerly Keystone Legal Services, since 1976. She has been professionally and is a member of the American Bar Association, the Pennsylvania Bar Association, where she has served on the Board of Governors and currently serves as a member of the House of Delegates and on the PA Bar Insurance and Trust Board and the Clearfield County Bar Association where she has served as treasurer.
Justice Rising - Throughout my legal career as a corporate attorney specializing in mergers and acquisitions — specifically private equity and independent sponsor deals — I have had the privilege of engaging in pro bono work for nonprofit organizations. Guiding these entities in establishing their non-profit statuses and facilitating their registrations with the appropriate local jurisdictions has been instrumental in enabling them to fulfill their important missions.
The United States provides numerous opportunities to diverse groups of people. However, throughout our country’s history, certain communities have been denied equal access to justice, sometimes even deliberately. This systemic discrimination costs communities in incalculable ways with effects that last for generations. By closing the justice gap, we aim to level the playing field for disenfranchised communities.
Pennlive.com - “As a provider of civil legal services, we are excited to collaborate with the International Service Center on this important initiative which will help us to fulfill our mission of promoting access to justice for all, regardless of one’s ability to speak English” commented Rhodia Thomas, Esq., Executive Director for MidPenn Legal Services.
Language justice is about building and sustaining multilingual spaces in our organizations and social movements so that everyone’s voice can be heard both as an individual and as a part of diversity of communities and cultures. Valuing language justice means recognizing the social and political dimensions of language access, while working to dismantle language barriers, and build strong communities for social and racial justice.
Therefore, the Center for Justice and Equity within MidPenn Legal Services is joining forces with the International Service Center in a unique language justice training in May.
Harrisburg, PA - Language justice is about building and sustaining multilingual spaces in our organizations and social movements so that everyone’s voice can be heard both as an individual and as a part of diversity of communities and cultures. Valuing language justice means recognizing the social and political dimensions of language access, while working to dismantle language barriers, and build strong communities for social and racial justice.
Therefore, the Center for Justice and Equity within MidPenn Legal Services is joining forces with the International Service Center in a unique language justice training in May. MidPenn staff will be training foreign language interpreters in various civil legal topics. The trainings will take place at the International Service Center’s building every Tuesday and Thursday starting at 9:00 a.m.
“As a provider of civil legal services, we are excited to collaborate with the International Service Center on this important initiative which will help us to fulfill our mission of promoting access to justice for all, regardless of one’s ability to speak English” commented Rhodia Thomas, Esq., Executive Director for MidPenn Legal Services.
“As a service provider for the disadvantaged and underprivileged refugees and immigrants of the world, we are grateful to MidPenn Legal Services for offering this legal interpretation training to enhance our Interpreters’ skill in serving the Limited English Proficient clients” commented Dr. Truong N. Phuong, Executive Director for International Service Center.”
MidPenn is a nonprofit law firm that provides free legal representation, advice and education in civil cases to low-income residents and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in the following 18 counties in Central PA: Adams, Bedford, Berks, Blair, Centre, Clearfield, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Huntington, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Mifflin, Perry, Schuylkill and York. For additional information, please contact Eliz Nestorov, at 717-234-0492, ext. 2215.
The Senior Food Box Program works to improve the health of low-income seniors by supplementing their diets with nutritious USDA Foods. In Pennsylvania, eligible participants include low-income individuals who are at least 60 years old and whose household income is at or below 130 percent of the U.S. poverty level.
The senior food boxes do not provide a complete diet, but rather are good sources of the nutrients typically lacking in the diets of older Americans. Among the types of foods included in the food boxes are: non-fat dry and shelf-stable fluid milk, juice, oats, ready-to-eat cereal, rice, pasta, dry beans, peanut butter, canned meat, poultry, or fish, and canned fruits and vegetables.
The Senior Food Box Program is supported through USDA's Commodity Supplemental Food Program. The USDA purchases the food and makes it available to the Department of Agriculture, which works with local non-profit agencies to facilitate distribution of the monthly food boxes to eligible participants.
Senior Interested in Participating? Seniors interested in participating in the Senior Food Box Program should call 800-468-2433 to be directed to the regional food bank distributing the Senior Food Box in their county of residence.
Seniors may also instead fill out the self-certification form and submit it to PDA via email at srfoodbox@pa.gov. using the subject line "SENIOR FOOD BOX APPLICATION." PDA will then route the application to the appropriate food bank providing service in the applicant's county of residence.
Lancaster Online - Today is April 1, the day Edna Amaro was supposed to be evicted from her Lancaster city apartment. Instead, in two weeks, she will be moving into a new place.
Amaro, 78, was threatened with eviction in late October after her previous landlord sold her building, in which she had rented an apartment for nearly a half century. It was a shock to Amaro, who was given no warning and then had to scramble to find a new place with just a month to look.
With the help of MidPenn Legal Services, a nonprofit law firm that provides civil legal services to low-income residents, Amaro was given more time. But by January, when LNP | LancasterOnline first met Amaro, she was scared and desperate. The clock was ticking, and April was coming on fast.
Changes effective April 1, 2023 due to the end of a federal pandemic policy
Due to federal COVID-19 relief efforts, Pennsylvania and other states were able to continue Medical Assistance (MA) (also known Medicaid) and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage for most people even if they no longer met eligibility requirements unless they:
Moved out-of-state,
Passed away, or
Asked to end their Medical Assistance (MA).
The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 set April 1, 2023 as the end of continuous coverage for MA and CHIP. After April 1, 2023, DHS will return to normal eligibility processes. This means that all MA and CHIP recipients must complete an annual renewal to see if they are still eligible for coverage. MA and CHIP recipients should watch for their renewal and complete it as soon as they can to avoid a loss of coverage.
DHS and our partners at Pennie®Opens In A New Window (Pennsylvania's official health and dental insurance marketplace) are working hard to make sure that Pennsylvanians can get coverage either through MA, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), or affordable coverage available through pennie.com.
Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc. hosted a celebration of the 2023 Excellence Awards and the kickoff of our 50th Anniversary at a Golden Gala on March 21, 2023 at the Hilton Harrisburg.
Harrisburg PA - The Golden Gala featured a cocktail reception and champagne toast, featured remarks, and a special tribute and award presentation for our 2023 Excellence Awards.
While there are thousands of advocates, pro bono attorneys, and law firms who help us immeasurably, these four partners shined above the rest this year. They are a vital part of our operation, helping us assist our Network’s clients and selflessly serving those in need in their communities.
PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ) – The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) and Pennie are reminding Pennsylvanians of the upcoming end of the pandemic flexibilities for Medicaid and CHIP coverage. They’re also making it known that the Shapiro Administration has committed to helping Pennsylvanians stay covered when those changes take effect.
As of right now, the federal changes are set to take effect on Saturday, April 1.
Starting in 2020, the federal public health emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic allowed individuals to continue to remain enrolled in Medicaid even if they became ineligible based on regular eligibility criteria, except in rare circumstances. This is also known as the Medicaid continuous coverage requirement. In December 2022, President Biden signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 into law, which effectively ends the continuous coverage requirement on March 31, 2023.
Beginning April 1, 2023, all Pennsylvanians must once again return to completing an annual renewal when it is due to maintaining Medicaid or CHIP coverage
No one will lose Medicaid or CHIP coverage without an opportunity to renew their coverage or update their information. Renewals will be completed over 12 months, and renewals due in March 2023 will be the first to be affected by the end of continuous coverage. All Medicaid recipients will need to go through a renewal process around the time of their normal renewal date over that 12-month period to determine if they are still eligible for Medicaid.
Pennsylvanians can update their contact information, report changes in their personal circumstances, and check their renewal date:
• Online at www.dhs.pa.gov/COMPASS
• Via the free myCOMPASS PA Mobile App
• By calling 1-866-550-4355 (215-560-7226 if they live in Philadelphia)
PENNSYLVANIA (WHTM) — According to the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, all SNAP households in Pennsylvania will only receive one SNAP disbursement starting in March.
During the pandemic that began in 2020, SNAP households received their original SNAP payment, as well as the SNAP Emergency Allotments (EAs) that were paid during the second half of each month.
According to the Department of Human Services, these payments were authorized under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. However, due to the recent change in federal law, SNAP households will no longer receive the EAs payments in the second half of the month.
If you are looking for assistance for feeding yourself or your family, you can click here for more information.
Beginning this month, March of 2023, SNAP households will only receive their regular SNAP payment.
Someone calls or contacts you saying they’re a family member or close friend. They say they need money to get out of trouble. But check that there’s an emergency first because it could be a scammer calling.
What To Do If You Get a Call About a Family Emergency
If someone calls or sends a message claiming to be a family member or a friend desperate for money, here’s what to do:
Resist the pressure to send money immediately. Hang up.
Then:
Call or message the family member or friend who (supposedly) contacted you. Call them at a phone number that you know is right, not the one someone just used to contact you. Check if they’re really in trouble.
Call someone else in your family or circle of friends, even if the caller said to keep it a secret. Do that especially if you can’t reach the friend or family member who’s supposed to be in trouble. A trusted person can help you figure out whether the story is true.
CARLISLE, Pa. — In recognition of Women’s History Month, Penn State Dickinson Law will host several events.
Dickinson Law’s Women’s Law Caucus (WLC) will recognize two alumnae with awards during a ceremony and reception in Lewis Katz Hall on March 22. Hon. Alicea Elloras-Ally (class of 1999), a family court judge in the City of New York, New York, will receive the Hon. Sylvia H. Rambo Award. Imani S. Woodyard (class of 2021), a staff attorney with MidPenn Legal Services in York, Pennsylvania, will receive the Recent Alumna Award.
The Dickinson Law Review will present “The Impact of Women of Color in the Judiciary,” beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, March 24, in the Apfelbaum Family Courtroom and Auditorium, Lewis Katz Hall, Dickinson Law. Members of the judiciary and academia will discuss how women of color have shaped the judiciary, and the role of women of color on the bench moving forward. The symposium is being co-sponsored by the Steele Family Leadership Program in Gender and Racial Equity and the Macon Bolling Allen Civil Rights and Transitional Justice Program at Penn State Dickinson Law. Advance registration for the 2023 Dickinson Law Review symposium is required.
In addition, Dean and Donald J. Farage Professor of Law Danielle M. Conway has published an article on "Black Women's suffrage, the Nineteenth Amendment, and the Duality of a Movement."
Centre Daily Times - A Pennsylvanian spends, on average, about $194 a month on electricity, according to industry firm Energy Sage. That adds up to over $2,000 per year. For those who are struggling to pay their bills, the state has about $188 million to give.
The federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program assists families with paying their heating bills through a one-time payment sent directly to the provider. The income limit to qualify for the program is 150% of the federal poverty limit, or $20,385 for an individual and $41,625 for a family of four. The grants range from $100 to $1,000, based on factors like income and household size.
The current income limits are: One-person household: $20,385 Two-person household: $27,465 Three-person household: $34,545 Four-person household: $41,625 Five-person household: $48,705 Six-person household: $55,785 Seven-person household: $62,865 Eight-person household: $69,945 Nine-person household: $77,025 10-person household: $84,105
HOW TO GET HELP PAYING ENERGY BILLS IN CENTRE COUNTY Any Pennsylvania resident that meets income requirements can apply online for help by visiting dhs.pa.gov/compass or calling 1-866-550-4355. Applicants will receive a notice if selected and be informed of how much aid they will receive. There’s usually a 30-day window between when the application is submitted and the notice is received. Centre County residents can also apply in-person at the local assistance office, located at 2580 Park Center Blvd. and open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For LIHEAP related questions, call the office at 814-861-1955. If you live outside Centre County, you can use this federal search tool to find a LIHEAP office near you and access help filling out your application.
Read more at: https://www.centredaily.com/news/state/pennsylvania/article272192018.html#storylink=cpy
Veterans can now access their disability benefit claim decision notice letters electronically on VA.gov, empowering them to quickly and easily see their disability decisions.
Before this option was available, Veterans had to wait for a paper copy of their decision notice to be mailed to them. While previous iterations of VA.gov allowed Veterans to access benefits summary letters, they could not access the full copy of these decision notification letters from their electronic claims folders.
This service became available to Veterans on VA.gov on Jan. 17. Since launching, nearly 280,000 decision notice letters have been downloaded.
“Veterans now have access to their benefits decisions anytime, anyplace – right at their fingertips,” said VA Secretary Denis McDonough. “VA disability benefits can also open the door to other federal and state benefits, so quick and easy access to a decision means quicker access to the additional benefits Veterans deserve.”
The new electronic option is also expected to reduce calls to the National Call Centers, freeing up call center respondents to answer other questions and requests from Veterans and their families.
To access their decision letters, Veterans can log in to VA.gov and check the status of their claim. For more details, visit VA News.
