Equal Access Legal Services

Grateful to be a part of this webinar, and for Zane’s leadership.

Statement in Support of Eviction and Mortgage Moratorium Equal Access Legal Services supports the resolution introduced by Councilmember Helen Gym on March 12, 2020 calling for a moratorium on evictions during the Coronavirus Pandemic. We also urge mortgage companies to allow customers to defer mortgage payments without penalty during this time. The threat to public health is unprecedented, and helping people keep their homes is essential to both individual and public safety.... It is clear that every aspect of our lives will be affected and disrupted by this Coronavirus Pandemic. For many that includes losing work or tips, but it shouldn’t include losing their home. Furthermore, forcing people to attend hearings in crowded courtrooms would endanger the public’s health, and is the opposite of what experts recommend at this time. No one should face eviction during a public health emergency. Equal Access Legal Services has fought for years to keep people in their homes, and keep communities intact. We hope that Philadelphia City Council and all local leaders will act quickly and decisively to provide the action and leadership that our neighbors sincerely need.

The federal poverty line for a single person in the US is $12,760. For a family of 4, its $26,200. To be eligible for FREE legal services at some orgs, a single person cannot make more than 150% percent of the poverty level, or $19,140.00. For a family of 4, its $39,300. If you make above that mark, often you are not eligible for free legal services. A Philadelphia family of four must make more than $70,000 a year just to survive, a new report says a stunning sum beyond th...e reach of most residents in a city beset by high poverty and meager chances. So what happens when that family needs an attorney? Often times they go without. This is the exact reason why we created Equal Access Legal Services, so that people between 150%-400% of the poverty level can have access to legal services they might not be able to afford otherwise. A single person that makes $52,000 is still eligible for our services. For a family of 4, our highest level is $163,560. Hiring an attorney should not create a burden. It should be a relief. /mfc

We're disappointed with the Supreme Court's 5-4 ruling - making legal immigration even more difficult and arbitrary. We will continue to fight for our clients and their families. This ruling comes on #HolocaustMemorialDay - of all days, today we should remember the value and dignity of all human life, and never forget the atrocities of the past. https://www.politico.com//supreme-court-enforce-trump-immi

Equal Access Legal Services Executive Director Mary Chicorelli was interviewed by CNN and shared her experience representing a family separated by ICE. Mary, "remembers an immigrant mother who was 'beside herself' after her son was taken from where they lived in North Carolina to a private juvenile detention center in rural Pennsylvania in 2017." https://www.cnn.com//24/us/ice-kids-detention-i/index.html

Thank you for making our first fundraiser, Equal Access to Justice, a success! We raised over $5,000 to help bring equal access to quality, affordable legal services to people who need it. #EqualJustice