Class Action Challenges New York’s Termination of SNAP for Certain Adults

On August 19, 2016 the Empire Justice Center, with NCLEJ as co-counsel, filed a federal class action lawsuit to challenge New York’s termination of SNAP benefits, also known as food stamps, to thousands of New Yorkers. The benefits…

Observations on the Adverse Impact of TANF After 20 Years

By Marc Cohan, Executive Director, National Center for Law and Economic Justice Twenty years ago then President Clinton signed the so-called “welfare reform” law. The legislation was a comprehensive and far-reaching effort to eliminate welfare as this nation…

Children with Disabilities and Their Families to Benefit from New Hampshire Supreme Court Decision

Low-income New Hampshire families with a child with a disability won a major victory on August 2, 2016, when the New Hampshire Supreme Court struck down a rule requiring that the child’s Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits…

NCLEJ Ensures that Workers Compensation Hearings are Open to the Public

NCLEJ has secured a significant victory toward making the New York State Workers Compensation Board more responsive to low-wage workers with limited English proficiency. Worker Centers, which advocate for low-wage workers, many of whom are in service and…

NCLEJ Reflects on TANF’s 20th Anniversary

It has been 20 years this month since the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, which established the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, was enacted. Marking this anniversary, NCLEJ Executive Director Marc Cohan…

Hot Off the Presses: NCLEJ’s Summer 2016 Newsletter

Gina Mannix Named Deputy Director

NCLEJ is pleased to announce that longtime staff member Gina Mannix has been named Deputy Director. Gina has been a leader in developing and participating in NCLEJ’s advocacy, is highly regarded by colleagues across the country for her…

Marc Cohan Takes the Helm at NCLEJ

Earlier this year, Executive Director Margarita Rosa, Esq. advised the Board of Directors of the National Center for Law and Economic Justice (NCLEJ) that she plans to leave the organization at the conclusion of her one-year commitment as…

Board Member Mary Lu Bilek Named Dean of CUNY Law

NCLEJ Board member Mary Lu Bilek has been appointed as Dean of the CUNY School of Law by the City University of New York’s Board of Trustees. Mary Lu has been a member of NCLEJ’s Board of Directors…

Court Approves Groundbreaking Settlement in Debt Collection Class Action

On May 24, 2016, the U.S. District Court approved a historic settlement in Sykes v. Mel S. Harris & Associates, a class action alleging massive debt collection abuse in the New York State Courts. The settlement will return…