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27.02.2026 20:04
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For more information and to learn how to get in touch with us to see if we can help, visit: clsphila.org/highlights/f...
4) If you are in default, the government could soon start to take money out of your paycheck or take your tax refund. Take steps now to get out of default.
If You Have Federal Student Loans: Take Action Now to Protect Your Income and Your Rights 3) The SAVE plan is ending. If you have federal student loans that are enrolled in the SAVE plan, you should consider applying for a different income-driven repayment plan to keep your student loan payments as manageable as possible.
3) The SAVE plan is ending. If you have federal student loans that are enrolled in the SAVE plan, you should consider applying for a different income-driven repayment plan to keep your student loan payments as manageable as possible.
If You Have Federal Student Loans: Take Action Now to Protect Your Income and Your Rights 2) If you have any existing student loans, you could lose your rights to certain kinds of income-driven repayment and payments as low as $0 if you take out any new loans after July 1, 2026.
2) If you have any existing student loans, you could lose your rights to certain kinds of income-driven repayment and payments as low as $0 if you take out any new loans after July 1, 2026.
If You Have Federal Student Loans: Take Action Now to Protect Your Income and Your Rights 1) If you have any Parent PLUS loans, you must make sure that they are consolidated into a Direct Consolidation Loan before July 1, 2026. Otherwise, you will lose your right to income-driven repayment and payments as low as $0 per month.
1) If you have any Parent PLUS loans, you must make sure that they are consolidated into a Direct Consolidation Loan before July 1, 2026. Otherwise, you will lose your right to income-driven repayment and payments as low as $0 per month.
If You Have Federal Student Loans: Take Action Now to Protect Your Income and Your Rights Federal student loans are changing. If you have federal student loans that you took out for yourself or for your child's education, here are four updates you need to know.
If you have federal student loans: Take action now to protect your income and your rights!
Federal student loans are changing. If you have federal student loans that you took out for yourself or for your child's education, here are four updates you need to know. ⬇️
Abraham Reyes Pardo of the Urban Affairs Coalition, CLS Client Eunique Carr, CLS Attorney Rachel Gallegos, and CLS Attorney Anna Brickman
CLS Executive Director Debby Freedman, CLS Client Eunique Carr, PA Senator Vincent Hughes, CLS Attorney Rachel Gallegos, and CLS Attorney Anna Brickman
The plan also includes an easier process for passing down homes, helping prevent tangled titles, which threaten generational wealth and can cause Pennsylvanians to lose their family homes when a loved one dies. www.inquirer.com/politics/pen...
Governor Josh Shapiro speaking at a podium that says "Building More Affordable Housing, Philadelphia, PA" on the front
We were honored to attend the unveiling of Governor Josh Shapiro’s Housing Action Plan, which aims to help increase access to housing for more Pennsylvanians through supports and protections including eviction prevention measures and eviction record sealing for people who were never legally evicted.
Thank you to our clients, staff, partners, supporters, donors, and friends for working with us to make justice possible since 1966!
Together, we will look ahead as we continue to fight poverty, challenge systems of injustice, and serve our communities through expert community education and legal representation.
2026 marks a big milestone for Philadelphia… Community Legal Services' 60th anniversary!
All year long we’ll be reflecting on the last 60 years of increasing access to justice and celebrating the exceptional legal work from our staff and alumni.
Sharon Dietrich standing amongst a crowd of people outside, smiling into the camera.
She has been an incredible mentor for legal services leaders at CLS, in Philadelphia, and across the country. We are so grateful to have worked alongside her for all these years.
Thank you, Sharon, and congratulations on your retirement!
Hanger with Carr and Dietrich
For 38 years at CLS, Sharon has been breaking down doors with her legal work. She is also warm and hilarious, always making time to bond with colleagues and friends, especially at Phillies games!
Sharon Dietrich standing at a podium, holding an award in front of a room full of people. The banner behind her reads "Because Freedom Can't Protect Itself. American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania"
Amidst all of her systemic advocacy, Sharon also set the standard for excellent individual legal representation, fiercely dedicating herself to her clients. She has ensured that they have had opportunities to be advocates for themselves and that they are part of CLS’s advocacy efforts.
She also led CLS’s work on unemployment benefits, including crucial work during the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring our clients had access to essential income during such tumultuous, uncertain times.
Sharon Dietrich with PA Rep Jordan Harris and a speaker at a Clean slate conference
Sharon envisioned, championed, and tirelessly advocated for Clean Slate legislation, which provides for automatic sealing of old criminal records so that people can access jobs, education, and other opportunities.
Ginzberg and Dietrich
During her time at CLS, she created an entirely new area of practice, challenging employers’ use of criminal records in hiring and challenging lifetime bans on employment, including successfully in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
Sharon Dietrich headshot
Congratulations to CLS Litigation Director, Sharon Dietrich, who retired at the end of January after 38 years at CLS! Sharon has truly had one of the most impactful legal services careers in history.
If you have been denied a job because of your criminal record, contact CLS for help. Visit clsphila.org/help to learn how to access our services.
CLS was proud to support this case and happy to see a strong decision from the Third Circuit defending the rights of people with criminal records. This article also highlights our work to expand local protections for people with records here in Philadelphia. www.inquirer.com/jobs/labor/p...
For her fellowship project, Archana helps pregnant and parenting people access Mother Baby Programs, which are treatment programs for substance use disorder that allow parents of young children to remain together, helping to maintain the important bond that helps with babies’ development.
CLS's Family Advocacy Unit provides resources & services to families affected by the child welfare system, with the goal of keeping them safe & together. This support ensures all parents have what they need for their children to thrive.
Archana Prabhakar is an Attorney & Equal Justice Works Fellow.
Several of our current and former Board and Leadership Council members have served as Chancellor, and we are thrilled that Vik will also be a part of that legacy. Congratulations, Vik!
Vik is known not just as an excellent lawyer, but for the many ways he supports his public interest colleagues and Philadelphia's broader legal community.
Vik’s work at CLS has helped keep Philadelphians safe in their homes—both as an Attorney in our Housing Unit preventing evictions and, currently, in our Energy Unit keeping low-income people connected to vital utilities.
Vik Patel headshot
CLS is proud to share that Vik Patel, Managing Attorney of our Energy Unit, was just elected Vice Chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Association & will become Chancellor in 2028. CLS was founded as part of a Bar Association initiative & we're grateful for our long history of collaborative advocacy.
CLS recently hosted a training for our clients about the new SNAP work requirements, how to appeal a cutoff notice, and how eligible people can get an exemption. Learn from one of our incredible experts, Attorney Mackenzie Libbey, everything you need to know! youtu.be/xshKFppSHv8
You have the right to appeal! Visit clsphila.org/SNAPchanges to learn more about the appeal process.
Contact CLS to see if we can help.
Call: 215-981-3700 Thursday 12/18, 9am-12pm
Visit: 1410 W. Erie Ave (Broad and Erie) Wednesday 12/17 & Monday 12/22, 9am-12pm
Thank you Nydia Han and 6 ABC Action News for sharing this important information for SNAP recipients, featuring Managing Attorney Lydia Gottesfeld! If you received a cutoff notice in the mail, you should appeal right away, even if the deadline has passed because of mail delays!
Hillary Shah is a CLS Employment Attorney and Independence Foundation Fellow. For her fellowship project, Hillary works to help pregnant & parenting people in the workplace, from maintaining income, to seeking accommodations related to pregnancy and parenting, to discrimination they may be facing.
