Access to Justice
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Cable television viewers in Erie can tune in to Access to Justice four
times each week -- a series created by NWLS and devoted to civil legal issues
that impact the low-income community we serve. The half-hour programs are
broadcast to over 35,000 households on Erie Cablevision Channel 2
every Monday
and Wednesday evening at 9:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday at 7 p.m. The shows
are produced in their entirety by staff members from the NWLS Erie office,
Hosted by NWLS Executive Director Robert Oakley, the series offers information on a variety of topics that impact low-income individuals and families. Topics include utility law, medical assistance, Social Security disability, consumer protection, food stamps, Earned Income Tax Credits and tax tips for low-income taxpayers. Since the programs went on-air in June 2001, distinguished guests have included Chief Administrative Law Judge Alma deLeon; U. S. Bankruptcy Judge Warren Bentz; Deputy Attorney General for the Pennsylvania Bureau of Consumer Protection, Attorney Leslie Grey; Erie County Court of Common Pleas Judge Elizabeth Kelly; Internal Revenue Service Territory Manager, Jim Daugherty; and local attorneys Phil Friedman and Tim Riley.
In 2003, the series began producing programs in languages other than English for residents with limited English proficiency. Programs on utility law and medical assistance were done in Spanish, with plans to expand program offerings to include Russian and Bosnian.
“Tax Tips” Changes in the federal income tax
that affect individual taxpayers. Guest: James Daugherty, Territory Manager,
Stakeholder Partnerships, Education, Communication (SPEC), Internal Revenue
Service.
“Unemployment Compensation” Overview of
unemployment compensation, including referee hearings and appeal process.
Guests: NWLS staff attorneys Julia Bandecca and Judy Wilson.
“Medical Assistance” New programs available to
qualified residents and their family members, and changes that are taking place
in the way that MA is administered in the Commonwealth. Guest: Attorney Fran
Chervenak, Managing Attorney, PA Health Law Project, Pittsburgh office.
“District Justice Courts” The central role that
district justice courts serve in Pennsylvania’s judicial system. Guests:
District Justice Paul Urbaniak, Attorney John Gandrud, NWLS Managing Attorney
for the Central Intake Unit.
“Child Tax Credits” Information on recent
developments in federal child tax credits and advanced earned income tax
credits. Guest: James Daugherty, Territory Manager, Stakeholder Partnerships,
Education, Communication (SPEC), Internal Revenue Service.
“LIHEAP” Energy assistance grants available to
low-income households in Pennsylvania through the Low Income Home Energy
Assistance Project (LIHEAP). Guest: Attorney Harry Geller, Director, PA Utility
Law Project.
“General Utility Information” -- What low-income
residents of the Commonwealth can do if problems arise with gas and electric
companies regulated by the PA Public Utilities Commission. Guest: Attorney Harry
Geller, Director, PA Utility Law Project.
(Spanish Version) “General Utility Information” --
What low-income residents of the Commonwealth can do if problems arise with gas
and electric companies regulated by the PA Public Utilities Commission. Guest:
Attorney Harry Geller, Director, PA Utility Law Project.
"Medical Assistance" Overview of programs available
to low-income residents as part of Medical Assistance in PA Guest: Attorney
Leonardo Cuello, Staff Attorney, PA Health Law Project, Philadelphia office
(Spanish version) "Medical Assistance" Overview of
programs available to low-income residents as part of Medical Assistance in PA.
Guest: Attorney Leonardo Cuello, Staff Attorney, PA Health Law Project,
Philadelphia office.
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