Posted March 21, 20232:30 pm
We provided this update on local events, community updates, and other newsworthy items to our partners and public officials.
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Hello from Legal Aid! Legal Aid is available in person, by phone and online to meet our clients’ needs. Applicants can now schedule a call back time when they apply for help online at lasclev.org. Please reach out with any questions or requests. We look forward to hearing from you!
Check out these updates from Legal Aid:
Free legal clinics: Spring 2023 calendar available
For a printable bilingual flyer (PDF) of Legal Aid's upcoming FREE legal advice clinics scheduled for the second quarter of 2023, click here: Spring Clinic Flyer. Or visit the events page on our website anytime to view the current clinic schedule.
New Legal Aid resources are available online
- Check out our new resource guide about steps Ohioans can take to resolve a suspended driver's license.
- Also, find information about how Legal Aid can help a person represent themselves when filing for divorce.
Legal Aid will be hosting FREE virtual provider trainings in April and May
All participants who complete the training will receive a certificate of completion. For each of the May sessions, application for 1 hour of free CEU credit is pending. Please click the links below for details and to complete your zoom registration.
- Federal Student Loans: Preparing for the Return of Repayment – Friday, April 28, 2023 @ 12:00 pm
- Eliminating Barriers to Healthy Reentry for Ohioans - Friday, May 5, 2023 @ 12:00 pm
- Helping Justice Involved Clients under Ohio’s New Expungement & Record Sealing Law – Friday, May 12, 2023 @ 12:00 pm
- Helping Clients with Suspended Driver’s Licenses Facing the Dilemma: No money, no license; no license, no money – Friday, May 19, 2023 @ 12:00 pm
Training and Know Your Rights Opportunities are offered by Legal Aid
Legal Aid provides trainings to providers and Know Your Rights presentations to community groups on a variety of topics. If you are interested in hosting a group presentation, please send requests to outreach@lasclev.org and give as much information and notice as possible.
Please share this information widely:
Free Tax Preparation Assistance Programs
A variety of resources are available to help low-income Northeast Ohio residents with tax preparation. Call 2-1-1 or visit our website for links to tax preparation assistance programs in Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, and Lorain Counties. In addition, Legal Aid staff will be attending several Super Refund events in the community to share information about Legal Aid's Low Income Taxpayer Clinic and other resources.
SNAP emergency allotments ending this month
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) emergency allotments many households have received since March 2020 will end with the last issuance in February 2023. These emergency allotments were a response to the COVID-19 public health emergency and meant that all SNAP households received the maximum SNAP benefits each month. Beginning March 2023, all SNAP households will only receive their standard SNAP benefits. This may mean some households, particularly seniors, will see a significant decrease in these vital benefits. To minimize the impact of the decreased benefits, SNAP households should make sure JFS is aware of:
- Monthly recurring medical costs over $35.00 per month (for households with anyone over 60 or receiving disability benefits)
- Monthly adult or childcare costs such as babysitter, transportation, or day care costs (for SNAP households with anyone working, looking for work, or in school)
- Any increase in your rent or mortgage costs
ODJFS will be notifying SNAP households by letter, phone calls and text. For more information, visit Ohio Benefits. For additional food resources, call the United Way Help Center at 2-1-1.
SCORE Cleveland offers mentors
Small business owners, or aspiring owners, are encouraged to seek help from SCORE mentors. The volunteer mentors are local experts that are ready to help entrepreneurs in Northeast Ohio build their businesses to their fullest potential. Visit their website to learn more and request a mentor.
Fair Housing for those with a criminal record
The Fair Housing Center has launched a new digital toolkit on Fair Housing for People with Criminal Record. Visit their website to download the toolkit.
Thank you for your partnership in striving for justice throughout Northeast Ohio. As always, please reach out with any questions or ideas!
Sincerely,
Anne K. Sweeney
Managing Attorney for Community Engagement
The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland
Direct: 216.861.5242 / Main: 216.861.5500
Email: anne.sweeney@lasclev.org
lasclev.org
Rights. Dignity. Justice.