News for Community Partners from Legal Aid

• Legal Aid has a new website!
• Legal Aid is hiring!
• Attention Lorain County – Legal Aid is piloting a project to help people who owe court debt in Lorain.
• Federal tax help available from Legal Aid’s Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC).
• Cleveland Metropolitan School District becomes most recent partner in Say Yes to Education.
• The City of Cleveland announced Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition.
• Ohio drivers can apply for a waiver or reduction of license reinstatement fees through July 31, 2019.
• Ohio passed legislation at the end of 2018 requiring all county and municipal courts to accept fee waiver applications in civil cases for eligible applicants.
• The Community Fund Management Foundation (CFMF) has a grant program for individuals with disabilities.

Questions?  Contact Anne Sweeney, Managing Attorney for Community Engagement, at anne.sweeney@lasclev.org

Legal Aid Updates:

Legal Aid has a new website!  Check it out at www.lasclev.org. Click “Get Help” “Legal Information and Resources” for brochures, frequently asked questions, self-help information, news and success stories related to a variety of civil legal issues.          

Legal Aid is hiring!  We are hiring for attorney, social worker, paralegal, and intake specialist positions in 2019. Please share with your networks!  You can find more information at https://lasclev.org/careers/jobs-at-legal-aid/.  

Attention Lorain County – Legal Aid is piloting a project to help people who owe court debt in Lorain. Clients who owe money as a result of court involvement for fines, fees, or costs may apply to Legal Aid for help by calling 1-888-817-3777.  Cases for eligible applicants will be reviewed to determine what legal assistance can be offered.  Providers who have questions about this pilot project may contact Anne Sweeney, Managing Attorney for Community Engagement at anne.sweeney@lasclev.org.

Federal tax help available from Legal Aid’s Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC).  The LITC helps low-income people who have a tax controversy with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), including low-income taxpayers – who owe but are unable to pay federal income taxes.  For more information about Legal Aid’s LITC, please contact Anne Sweeney, Managing Attorney for Community Engagement at anne.sweeney@lasclev.org.   Legal Aid’s LITC does NOT help prepare taxes.  For information on free tax preparation, contact 211.

Local Updates:

Cleveland Metropolitan School District becomes most recent partner in Say Yes to Education.  With approximately 90 million dollars raised, Cleveland is committed to providing supportive services to district students and families, and postsecondary scholarships to all eligible, graduating CMSD students, for years to come.  Read more at https://sayyestoeducation.org/uncategorized/press-release-11/.   

The City of Cleveland announced Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition.  This group will pursue a comprehensive, sustainable, and preventive approach that merges: smart, adaptable public policies and legislation; knowledgeable agencies willing to collaborate; proven community programs; and public and private sector accountability. Lead Safe Cleveland does not require that all homes be free from lead, but rather allows for the use of regularly maintained interim controls, or safety measures to protect children from lead exposure.  Learn more at https://clecityhall.com/2019/01/22/mayor-jackson-cleveland-city-council-and-local-organizations-announce-lead-safe-cleveland/

Ohio Updates:

Ohio drivers can apply for a waiver or reduction of license reinstatement fees through July 31, 2019.   To be eligible for a waiver, an individual must have completed all court-ordered sanctions related to the eligible offense other than the payment of reinstatement fees and be getting SNAP (food stamp) benefits.  For more information visit https://bmv.ohio.gov/susp-fees-amnesty.aspx.

Ohio passed legislation at the end of 2018 requiring all county and municipal courts to accept fee waiver applications in civil cases for eligible applicants.  The law waives prepayment and allows a person to file documents in court, but the costs can still be charged at the end of the case.  The courts must accept waivers for people whose household income is below 187.5% of the federal poverty guidelines and may accept waivers for people whose income is higher.  The new law takes effect on March 22, 2019.

The Community Fund Management Foundation (CFMF) has a grant program for individuals with disabilities. Ohio residents with disabilities who have a financial need can apply for up to $5,000 for disability-related items and services. CFMF accepts grant applications on a quarterly basis. The next deadline to apply is March 31^st, 2019 with decisions in late April or early May. Grant application instructions can be found at http://cfmf.org/grants/.

Legal Aid will be in the neighborhood!  Click here for a printable flyer – or see all of Legal Aid’s upcoming FREE legal advice clinics by visiting our online calendar!