FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Amy Bonderoff, Director, Development & Communications
Abonderoff@volsprobono.org, 212-966-4400
VOLUNTEERS OF LEGAL SERVICE LAUNCHES BENEFITS LAW PROJECT
June 1, 2023, New York City – Volunteers of Legal Service (VOLS) is proud to launch our new Benefits Law Project (BLP), providing culturally competent legal services to help low-income New Yorkers more equitably access the benefits to which they are entitled. VOLS BLP kicks off June 28, 2023, at a SCRIE clinic held for low-income older adult residents of Hamilton Madison House. This clinic is being organized in collaboration with State Senator Brian Kavanagh, State Assembly Member Grace Lee, and City Council Member Christopher Marte.
VOLS BLP incorporates and expands on the success of VOLS Unemployed Workers Project to help low-income individuals across all five boroughs access a wider range of benefits that increase their economic security and independence. New Yorkers can continue to receive legal services for their unemployment insurance benefits claims through VOLS BLP, and, in its first year, VOLS BLP also will assist with Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) /Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE) benefits for older and disabled adults, and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)/Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI) benefits applications.
“VOLS Benefits Law Project builds upon our track record of success helping underserved New Yorkers navigate complicated legal systems to access the rights and benefits that they deserve and training and supporting a corps of pro bono attorneys to make a significant impact,” said Stephanie Taylor, Director, VOLS BLP.
VOLS BLP provides community education about public benefits programs, assists in the application, recertification and appeals phases, and significantly increases legal services bandwidth by training a corps of pro bono attorney volunteers to do the same. Individuals in need of assistance can call the VOLS BLP hotline at 347-521-5720 or contact Stephanie Taylor at staylor@volsprobono.org.
Despite the large numbers of low-income New Yorkers who qualify for public benefits, the programs are underutilized: many do not know benefits exist; eligibility criteria are complicated; and vulnerable people are often unable to complete the application without assistance or need help appealing denials. VOLS BLP aims to help create equity among low-income New Yorkers entitled to benefits who, for systemic reasons, do not have an equal chance of successfully securing them. Accordingly, VOLS BLP provides culturally competent services, translation/interpretation support, and works specifically with diverse communities through trusted relationships with our community partners.
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ABOUT VOLS
Since 1984, Volunteers of Legal Service (VOLS) has harnessed the power of the private bar and community-based organizations to provide free civil legal services to thousands of low-income, underserved New Yorkers.