Virginia Poverty Law Center

UVa law school to debut public service program

2009-11-02T10:11:00-08:00

"There are a lot of law students at the University of Virginia who are incredibly dedicated to public service, and who, if they could, would turn their career into serving the public in some way -- through government service, human rights work, or a public defender or legal aid attorney serving indigent clients," Edwards said. "I believe this program will help to foster Virginia law students turning public service into a career."

Prison system discussed at justice center's fundraiser

2009-10-20T06:56:00-07:00

Alex Gulotta, executive director of the nonprofit Legal Aid Justice Center, said he believes America's prison system is "inherently broken" and must be fixed. Part of the problem, he said, is that politicians are all too willing to crack down on crime but are far less willing to back programs that emphasize treatment and rehabilitation over simple incarceration.

95,500 more in Va. lose jobs, health insurance in 2009

2009-10-16T07:03:00-07:00

"Thousands of Virginians have lost jobs during the recession. It has left many uninsured," Jill Hanken, an attorney with the Virginia Poverty Law Center, said, citing big job losses in the Richmond area from the closing of companies including Circuit City, LandAmerica and Qimonda.

Webb co-sponsors benefit extension

2009-10-15T09:22:00-07:00

The proposal introduced last week would allow families receiving food stamps to remain eligible while receiving an additional $25 per week in unemployment insurance benefits.

"Step Up For Kids" in Richmond

2009-10-09T11:48:00-07:00

With October 5-9 designated as "Step Up for Kids Week", First Lady Anne Holton urged Virginians to "Vote For Kids". Holton said "it's important for the whole community to rally and step up, kids are especially dependent on Government". She also said that citizens absolutely need to vote for kids, they need to ask leaders and potential leaders where they stand on kids issues and Vote accordingly".

Video: Healthcare for All Virginians press conference

2009-10-05T12:07:00-07:00

Michael Cassidy explains Healthcare for All Virginians

Virginia must find its heart in health-care debate

2009-10-03T09:00:00-07:00

"I look at Virginia and see it has a long history of being very fiscally conservative," said Jill Hanken, staff attorney with the Virginia Poverty Law Center. "And it's never treated health care as a core service of government."

Kaine issues orders on sexual, domestic violence

2009-10-01T08:25:00-07:00

Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine has issued an executive order designed to help preserve evidence gathered from sexual-assault victims who initially are reluctant to proceed with criminal charges against their attackers.

VA Workers Pay the Highest Rate in the Nation for Health Coverage

2009-10-01T07:35:00-07:00

Virginia is consistently ranked in the top five states to do business, yet by many measures, Virginia workers are being left behind on health care.

Coalition urges expansion of access to health insurance

2009-10-01T06:32:00-07:00

"If we don't spend money on insuring children in Virginia, we will lose federal dollars," said Jill A. Hanken, staff attorney at the Virginia Poverty Law Center.

Changes coming to food stamps in Va.

2009-09-24T11:09:00-07:00

The program's name is changing to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. The change will not effect the program's benefits and those receiving food stamps will not need to reapply, however, your benefit amount will automatically change in October.

Join VPLC and VOICES for two General Assembly candidate forums

2009-09-16T12:05:00-07:00

The format will be a timed question and answer session, not a debate. The questions will address a range of children's issues including foster care, early childhood education, K-12 education, the juvenile justice system and comprehensive health care for all children.

Governor lauds new workforce center in Roanoke

2009-09-14T14:00:00-07:00

Thus, in addition to filing for unemployment insurance benefits and performing job searches, a visitor can tap a host of resources at the "one-stop" center -- with resources ranging from information about housing assistance to details about job training, earning a GED or seeking post-secondary education.

The Uninsured in Virginia

2009-09-02T12:16:00-07:00

Jill Hanken testifies before the Joint Health Care Commission of the Virginia General Assembly on September 1, 2009.

Cost of fixing health care is far from settled

2009-08-30T09:00:00-07:00

For advocates, the cost of not having health insurance -- or losing it because of rising unemployment in a brutal recession -- trumps concerns about the price of expanding the safety net. "The stability that health-care reform offers to the middle class is huge," said Jill A. Hanken, a staff attorney at the Virginia Poverty Law Center.

AARP: Facts Critical in Health Care Reform Debate

2009-08-28T07:42:00-07:00

While some express worries that the nation is heading toward a single-payer, socialized form of medicine, Humphrey points out there's nothing in the current language of any of the bills in Congress to do that.

Report: Health Insurance Premiums Rise by 90% in Virginia

2009-08-24T07:28:00-07:00

Burt Glass of the Virginia Organizing Project notes that wages have risen only 27 percent over that same time period. "With health care premiums going through the roof, it's clear we can't wait on real health care reform. I don't think nibbling around the edges of reform will be enough."

Seminar delves into Va.'s unemployment aid system

2009-08-24T06:19:00-07:00

If navigating Virginia's unemployment system leaves you frustrated and confused, a seminar on Thursday could help. Staff attorneys Carolyn Kalantari of the Legal Aid Justice Center and Ty Jones of the Virginia Poverty Law Center will discuss "Understanding Virginia's Unemployment Benefits System."

Pro se divorce is on the rise

2009-08-17T09:00:00-07:00

Getting a divorce without a lawyer may get easier if a group of legal aid lawyers has its way. Marra heads a committee working on a Web-based process for generating basic forms for an uncontested Virginia divorce.

Health-care proposals would affect individuals

2009-08-09T09:00:00-07:00

The proposed requirement is embraced by advocates and insurers as a way to make private health coverage more affordable. "If everybody is in, it should bring the costs down," said Jill A. Hanken, staff attorney at the Virginia Poverty Law Center.

The armor of education

2009-07-31T07:49:00-07:00

It's pay now or pay later - and pay more. It will cost less to prevent dropouts than to pick up all the bills they hand to society - for welfare and food stamps and subsidized housing, for crime and jails and police, for millions of people who aren't productive participants in the labor force, permanently or temporarily.

Rules would ease public school students' fees

2009-07-29T07:11:00-07:00

Public schools could no longer charge their students for classes or required materials, nor could they force students to pay class dues, under proposed regulations being considered by the Virginia Board of Education.

Proposal aims to bring uniformity to public school student fees

2009-07-23T11:16:00-07:00

Angela Ciolfi of JustChildren advocated a more streamlined approach to the regulations and said the draft makes it clear that public school students may not be charged fees for instructional programs and activities. She suggested the board encourage schools to help students who cannot pay a fee to join a sports team or club, and to require that families receive clear notice of how to request a fee waiver.

Minimum wage to increase tomorrow

2009-07-23T08:21:00-07:00

But raising the minimum wage could stimulate the economy because lower-wage earners are more likely to spend the additional pay on essential goods and services, said Ty Jones, a staff attorney for the Virginia Poverty Law Center.

Our Social Security disability system is crippled

2009-07-21T19:00:00-07:00

You have to wait five months just to apply. Then the average wait nationwide for a decision is three to six months. The first appeal will take another four to six months. The final appeal will take another 505 days -- almost 17 months.

Virginia Act on Poverty Discussion

2009-07-19T09:01:00-07:00

One of the topics that was focused on was education, which Lee says is one of the biggest factors for future generations. "But we need to put these discussions into action. We need to move on these discussions," says Lee.

Officials hear 50 solutions to poverty

2009-07-19T09:00:00-07:00

Finding problems associated with poverty during this national recession isn't difficult. On Saturday, state officials visited 25 localities around the commonwealth seeking a much rarer commodity: solutions to those problems.

Poll: Economic Abuse Overlooked as Form of Domestic Abuse

2009-07-15T12:53:00-07:00

"Blocking access to money or other financial resources definitely hinders a person from being able to leave an abusive relationship."

Helping Legal Aid to Help Itself

2009-07-15T09:10:00-07:00

The efforts of Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.) and other supportive senators to lift various federal restrictions on legal aid work are a vital first step. If these restrictions are removed, legal aid programs can become more innovative, versatile and effective.

Feds: Affordable Health Coverage Increasingly Out of Reach in Virginia

2009-07-02T08:55:00-07:00

According to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, small businesses in particular have a difficult time providing care to their employees. While small businesses make up 71 percent of all Virginia companies, a federal report found that less than half of them offer health coverage.

Poverty Reduction Task Force: Initial List of Proposals

2009-07-01T12:36:00-07:00

Compiled by Jill Hanken, Staff Attorney (with help from many others)

Countrywide settlement funds to help with foreclosure counseling

2009-06-29T09:36:00-07:00

The settlement, reached in January, was based on accusations of deceptive mortgage practices by the company, the attorney general's office announced.

"Through Different Eyes" photo book available for purchase

2009-06-29T08:51:00-07:00

By purchasing "Through Different Eyes: The Faces of Poverty in Virginia," you will be able to see the depth of the portrayals and the beauty of the execution of these photographers, done by talented photographers across the commonwealth.

Domestic violence nonprofit's workload increases

2009-06-29T07:16:00-07:00

Requests for counseling services provided by Transitions rose by 12 percent in the fiscal year from 2007 to 2008, while requests for children's services -- which include shelter, art therapy, counseling and after-school care -- increased by 70 percent.

New Protections for Tenants in Foreclosed Properties

2009-06-26T07:35:00-07:00

The Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009 will ensure that tenants will be able to stay for the duration of their lease before eviction can proceed based on the foreclosure, unless the purchaser of the property intends to occupy it as a primary residence.

Virginians join rally for health care reform

2009-06-23T17:00:00-07:00

Health care costs in the country are double those in comparable developed nations, said Jill Hanken, staff attorney for health care law at the Virginia Poverty Law Center, at the June 23 press unveiling of the report. "Yet we rank last among 19 similar countries on rate of preventable deaths."

Sen. Mark Warner submits bill for senior healthcare choices

2009-06-15T12:53:00-07:00

The Warner legislation addresses inadequate access to often unorganized care planning services that can result in unnecessary tests, treatments and hospitalizations -- medical services that more informed individuals might not otherwise choose.

Stimulus Bill Helps Laid-off Workers Keep Their Group Health Insurance

2009-06-03T07:48:00-07:00

The new American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) provides a subsidy to help involuntarily unemployed workers keep their employer-based group health insurance coverage.

Questions, answers on Virginia's jobless benefits

2009-05-27T09:41:00-07:00

The complexity of the issue and the partisan tenor of the debate have generated mountains of misinformation and a cascade of confusion. Some unemployed men and women already receiving aid incorrectly fear they will lose their benefits. Some business owners hold false hope that they can avoid tax increases this year if eligibility is frozen.

Options for health insurance and aid for unemployed

2009-05-17T11:00:00-07:00

"It's important that people who have existing ... problems really take a look at buying individual coverage," said Jill A. Hanken, staff attorney at the Virginia Poverty Law Center.

Job loss presents big challenges on health coverage

2009-05-17T10:00:00-07:00

"[The cost] is still a chunk of money people don't have when they are struggling to pay the rent or keep the lights on," said Jill A. Hanken, a staff attorney at the Virginia Poverty Law Center.

Government expands its mortgage-aid program

2009-05-15T08:26:00-07:00

The initiatives are intended to streamline the process of selling a home that is worth less than the mortgage, or transferring ownership of a home to the lender.

Recession hurts Medicare and Social Security

2009-05-13T13:19:00-07:00

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said the report shows the urgency for the government to overhaul the two programs to help contain rising costs as the baby boom generation begins to retire and draw on benefits.

Reviewing Virginia Nursing Home Residents' Rights in Tough Times

2009-05-11T08:00:00-07:00

Elder care lawyer Kathy Pryor says that the laws protecting nursing home residents are quite strong, but often families don't know their rights. Families need to receive a written discharge notice before someone can be moved, and she says that notice should be reviewed by a lawyer.

A gap in the health-insurance lifeline

2009-05-10T10:00:00-07:00

Advocates for the unemployed are intensifying their efforts to let laid-off workers know their options under COBRA and, for small businesses, Virginia's so-called "mini-COBRA" program.

Governor Kaine Announces Creation of Poverty Reduction Taskforce

2009-05-07T10:15:00-07:00

"Helping Virginians lift themselves out of poverty will not be easy or quick, but it is imperative that we find ways to protect children in poverty and provide economic opportunity for all Virginians," Governor Kaine said.

Report says Virginia not doing enough for poor

2009-05-07T08:24:00-07:00

The report pointed out that in 2007, the number of children enrolled in the TANF program was more than 50,000. Yet more than 233,000 children were then living at or below the federal poverty level, which is defined as a household income of $21,000 for a family of four.

VA Summit to Battle Poverty

2009-05-07T07:15:00-07:00

The plan will focus on three areas, Tavenner says: jobs, affordable housing and an adequate safety net.

Returning vets may face another battle

2009-05-06T10:47:00-07:00

The current economic recession isn't helping the condition of veterans suffering from PTSD. Layoffs and foreclosures are looming over many American's heads, and veterans are no different.

Welfare-to-work suffers when there's no work available

2009-05-06T09:05:00-07:00

"There's going to be an as-yet unknown group of people who are going to be without a safety net. If you get someone in their 20s or early 30s who reaches their time limit, they've got a long time left as parents and adults with no safety net."

New Laws Have Laid-Off Virginia Workers Covered

2009-05-04T16:00:00-07:00

Federal law now allows workers who've lost their job from September 2008 through the end of this year to extend their health care benefits. And a new law in Virginia extends the opportunity to nearly all workers who have recently become unemployed, even those who were working for small businesses.

Jay Speer Receives Virginia Elder Rights Award

2009-04-30T08:40:00-07:00

Senator Donald McEachin has commented that Jay "has taught and demonstrated to General Assembly members to continually remember our responsibility to those left behind . . . ." An elder rights advocate remarked that "he doesn't give up and if he gets discouraged, it doesn't slow him down. I see his work as creating ripples that ... make differences large and small in the lives of those in need."

Virginia Attorney General Recognizes Innovative Domestic Violence Prevention Programs

2009-04-29T07:28:00-07:00

"Communities that take a stand against domestic violence should be recognized. We look forward to sharing the successful efforts of the selected communities with law enforcement agencies, government officials, victim services providers, and others in the private and public sectors across the Commonwealth."

Legislators Who Voted Against $125 Million for Unemployed Virginians

2009-04-24T12:44:00-07:00

VPLC Data

Richmond-area foreclosure activity up 69%

2009-04-22T17:00:00-07:00

A week ago, RealtyTrac reported state foreclosure data for the first quarter and March, which showed repossession activity in Virginia up 12 percent and 17 percent, respectively, from a year ago. The Richmond area was ranked No. 96 among 203 metropolitan areas in the quarter, up from No. 153 a year ago.

Virginia Health Reform Campaign Begins

2009-04-21T07:53:00-07:00

"We can't fix the economy without fixing health care," Schechner said. "It's bankrupting our families, it's bankrupting our local governments and it's bankrupting our businesses. We have to get this fiasco under control once and for all."

Group wants justice for area seniors

2009-04-16T07:08:00-07:00

The Legal Aid Justice Center hosts a Java for Justice session about elderly rights and legal reforms in nursing home care.

Kaine takes up for Virginia's jobless

2009-04-14T10:32:00-07:00

"These are Virginians who are struggling to make ends meet and to keep a foothold in a very difficult economy," Kaine writes in an e-mail to the mailing list of his political-action committee, Moving Virginia Forward.

Sides seek compromise after vote on jobless benefits

2009-04-10T08:57:00-07:00

The governor reiterated his disappointment with the General Assembly's vote, noting that it was the only portion of Virginia's $4.8 billion share of the recovery package that Republicans chose to block. The additional money is intended to provide first-ever benefits for unemployed part-time workers and those not working but training for other positions.

Va. General Assembly Rejects $125M in Stimulus Money

2009-04-08T18:42:00-07:00

The change to Virginia's unemployment system would have allowed thousands of Virginians who work part time or are in approved job training programs to be eligible to receive benefits. Almost 300,000 Virginians are unemployed, pushing the state's jobless rate to 6.7 percent.

With Unemployment Rates Climbing in Virginia, VPLC Urges General Assembly to Sign Stimulus Legislation to Help Unemployed

2009-04-06T13:29:00-07:00

"It is time for Virginia to not only be a business friendly state but a worker friendly state as well," said Ty Jones, Staff Attorney at the Virginia Poverty Law Center.

Lawmakers Set to Decide on Extension of Benefits to Military Spouses

2009-04-06T09:13:00-07:00

LaTonya Reed, a policy analyst for the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy, says that because military transfers are mandatory, these 'trailing spouses' are in an unique position.

Virginia's unemployed need extended help

2009-04-05T10:00:00-07:00

If the General Assembly rejects Kaine's plan and the federal dollars attached, families across Virginia face the loss of their homes and vehicles. Men and women struggling to better themselves will have to cut short educational opportunities and settle for unskilled, low-paying jobs with no hope for future financial stability.

Tax credit, food-stamp increase take effect today

2009-04-01T07:50:00-07:00

A tax credit amounting to $400 a year for most workers will benefit more than 2.9 million Virginians. The credit will reduce the taxes withheld from most workers' paychecks by about $13 per week this year and $7.70 next year. Today is the deadline for employers to begin implementing the credit as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.