Community Legal Services of Philadelphia
@clsphila.bsky.social
Our mission is to fight poverty, challenge systems that perpetuate injustice, and change lives through cutting-edge advocacy & exceptional legal representation.
www.clsphila.org
www.clsphila.org
Pinned
CLS has created a starter pack of legal aid programs across the US. As our organizations address poverty, inequity, and injustice, follow along to learn more about the legal issues & solutions that impact us all, especially people experiencing oppression and struggling to get by. go.bsky.app/GFQBhWT
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.
December 22, 2025 at 5:01 PM
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
How to Keep Your SNAP Under Work Requirements
YouTube video by Community Legal Services of Philadelphia
youtu.be
December 19, 2025 at 6:55 PM
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
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!
December 16, 2025 at 8:56 PM
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.
December 15, 2025 at 5:38 PM
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.
CLS was recognized by the Philadelphia Department of Public Health on World AIDS Day this past Monday, receiving a Philly Keep On Loving Community Heart Legacy Award for our work connecting individuals living with HIV to resources.
December 5, 2025 at 8:01 PM
CLS was recognized by the Philadelphia Department of Public Health on World AIDS Day this past Monday, receiving a Philly Keep On Loving Community Heart Legacy Award for our work connecting individuals living with HIV to resources.
This week, Divisional Supervising Attorney Kate Dugan testified in City Council to support a bill introduced by Council Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson that will allow the city to provide refunds to victims of deed fraud.
December 4, 2025 at 6:46 PM
This week, Divisional Supervising Attorney Kate Dugan testified in City Council to support a bill introduced by Council Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson that will allow the city to provide refunds to victims of deed fraud.
Community Legal Services works year-round to make sure everyone can access justice. CLS helps to meet our neighbors' most urgent needs, helping our city—and all of us—thrive.
December 2, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Community Legal Services works year-round to make sure everyone can access justice. CLS helps to meet our neighbors' most urgent needs, helping our city—and all of us—thrive.
This week, our Family Advocacy Unit is celebrating the recent reunifications of multiple families, just in time for them to spend the holiday season together!
November 26, 2025 at 6:04 PM
This week, our Family Advocacy Unit is celebrating the recent reunifications of multiple families, just in time for them to spend the holiday season together!
We’re celebrating the accomplishments of the Eviction Diversion Program in Philadelphia over the past five years!
CLS helped implement the program, and we continue to provide trainings, technical expertise, and support to the housing counselors in the program.
CLS helped implement the program, and we continue to provide trainings, technical expertise, and support to the housing counselors in the program.
November 20, 2025 at 6:47 PM
We’re celebrating the accomplishments of the Eviction Diversion Program in Philadelphia over the past five years!
CLS helped implement the program, and we continue to provide trainings, technical expertise, and support to the housing counselors in the program.
CLS helped implement the program, and we continue to provide trainings, technical expertise, and support to the housing counselors in the program.
Attention Philadelphia homeowners—especially low-income homeowners! There's a lot of info going around on TikTok & elsewhere that might not be right for you. Rachel Gallegos from our Homeownership & Consumer Rights Unit discusses why a will is probably a better idea than a trust for most homeowners.
You Probably Need a Will Not a Trust!
YouTube video by Community Legal Services of Philadelphia
youtube.com
November 18, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Attention Philadelphia homeowners—especially low-income homeowners! There's a lot of info going around on TikTok & elsewhere that might not be right for you. Rachel Gallegos from our Homeownership & Consumer Rights Unit discusses why a will is probably a better idea than a trust for most homeowners.
Congratulations to CLS attorney Louise Hayes on winning the Philadelphia Bar Foundation award! Louise is a nationally recognized SNAP expert and has represented 2,000+ clients so they & their families can access & maintain a range of public benefits including SNAP, Medicaid & TANF cash assistance.
November 14, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Congratulations to CLS attorney Louise Hayes on winning the Philadelphia Bar Foundation award! Louise is a nationally recognized SNAP expert and has represented 2,000+ clients so they & their families can access & maintain a range of public benefits including SNAP, Medicaid & TANF cash assistance.
Last month at the NLADA Conference, Supervising Attorney in the SSI Unit and Language Access Project Chi-Ser Tran presented on a panel called “Walking the Talk: Advancing Language Justice in Legal Services Organizations – Ethical Imperatives in a Changing Landscape.”
November 13, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Last month at the NLADA Conference, Supervising Attorney in the SSI Unit and Language Access Project Chi-Ser Tran presented on a panel called “Walking the Talk: Advancing Language Justice in Legal Services Organizations – Ethical Imperatives in a Changing Landscape.”
Reposted by Community Legal Services of Philadelphia
In this podcast, host Stuart Yasgur and Sharon Dietrich discuss Clean Slate laws, from their key role in making Fair Chance Hiring practices more equitable, to how automating the process of clearing records alleviates the burden on individuals.
🎧 economicarchitectureproject.org/2025/11/12/f...
🎧 economicarchitectureproject.org/2025/11/12/f...
How can a “clean slate” offer a fair chance? [Fair Chance Hiring Series | Episode 3]
In this podcast, Sharon Dietrich walks through Clean Slate laws, which make Fair Chance Hiring practices more equitable.
economicarchitectureproject.org
November 12, 2025 at 3:16 PM
In this podcast, host Stuart Yasgur and Sharon Dietrich discuss Clean Slate laws, from their key role in making Fair Chance Hiring practices more equitable, to how automating the process of clearing records alleviates the burden on individuals.
🎧 economicarchitectureproject.org/2025/11/12/f...
🎧 economicarchitectureproject.org/2025/11/12/f...
Reposted by Community Legal Services of Philadelphia
NLADA conference Oct. 29-Nov. 1, 2025 has focused on emerging issues in civil legal aid, public defense & public interest law, & on strengthening strategies to meet legal needs of low-income individuals & families.
#NLADA25
@nlada.bsky.social @clsphila.bsky.social @palegalaidnetwork.bsky.social
#NLADA25
@nlada.bsky.social @clsphila.bsky.social @palegalaidnetwork.bsky.social
October 31, 2025 at 8:59 PM
NLADA conference Oct. 29-Nov. 1, 2025 has focused on emerging issues in civil legal aid, public defense & public interest law, & on strengthening strategies to meet legal needs of low-income individuals & families.
#NLADA25
@nlada.bsky.social @clsphila.bsky.social @palegalaidnetwork.bsky.social
#NLADA25
@nlada.bsky.social @clsphila.bsky.social @palegalaidnetwork.bsky.social
The @phillybarassoc.bsky.social Bar Reporter has a special #probonospotlight this week! Click through to read about Lanique Roberts's path to CLS's Justice Rising Advocates and her reflections on volunteering at our Clean Slate Clinics. philadelphiabar.org?pg=ThePhilad...
October 22, 2025 at 3:47 PM
The @phillybarassoc.bsky.social Bar Reporter has a special #probonospotlight this week! Click through to read about Lanique Roberts's path to CLS's Justice Rising Advocates and her reflections on volunteering at our Clean Slate Clinics. philadelphiabar.org?pg=ThePhilad...
TODAY is the deadline to apply for the Low Income Tax Freeze and Senior Citizen Tax Freeze!
Apply for the Low Income Tax Freeze and Senior Citizen Tax Freeze by September 30th! Thank you to Monty Wilson and Rachel Gallegos, Attorneys in the Homeownership & Consumer Rights Unit, for spreading the word. Go Birds.
youtube.com/shorts/cncpi...
youtube.com/shorts/cncpi...
Apply for the Low Income Tax Freeze and Senior Citizen Tax Freese by September 30th!
YouTube video by Community Legal Services of Philadelphia
youtube.com
September 30, 2025 at 4:16 PM
TODAY is the deadline to apply for the Low Income Tax Freeze and Senior Citizen Tax Freeze!
Happy Hispanic Heritage Month! We are proud to share this article, written by CLS Alum Ray Alvarez, about how La Liga del Barrio is preventing youth violence in Philadelphia. La Liga was founded by Ray & CLS paralegal Esther Alvarez 25 years ago. share.inquirer.com/srexTR
How do we keep our kids safe? For 25 years, one answer has come from an unlikely place. | Opinion
Twenty-five years after the phone call that triggered its creation, La Liga is the city’s longest-running Latino youth sports league, serving more than 18,000 children and helping to keep them safe.
share.inquirer.com
September 24, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Happy Hispanic Heritage Month! We are proud to share this article, written by CLS Alum Ray Alvarez, about how La Liga del Barrio is preventing youth violence in Philadelphia. La Liga was founded by Ray & CLS paralegal Esther Alvarez 25 years ago. share.inquirer.com/srexTR
Starting in October 2025, the Pennsylvania Prison Society is offering safe, affordable bus rides from Philadelphia to four state prisons — SCI Benner, SCI Frackville, SCI Mahanoy, and SCI Muncy. Visits to these institutions are critical to keeping families together, including CLS clients.
September 23, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Starting in October 2025, the Pennsylvania Prison Society is offering safe, affordable bus rides from Philadelphia to four state prisons — SCI Benner, SCI Frackville, SCI Mahanoy, and SCI Muncy. Visits to these institutions are critical to keeping families together, including CLS clients.
Just because the Eagles won at the last minute yesterday (literally!) doesn't mean you should wait to apply for the Low Income Tax Freeze and Senior Citizen Tax Freeze. Applications are due September 30th!
Apply for the Low Income Tax Freeze and Senior Citizen Tax Freeze by September 30th! Thank you to Monty Wilson and Rachel Gallegos, Attorneys in the Homeownership & Consumer Rights Unit, for spreading the word. Go Birds.
youtube.com/shorts/cncpi...
youtube.com/shorts/cncpi...
Apply for the Low Income Tax Freeze and Senior Citizen Tax Freese by September 30th!
YouTube video by Community Legal Services of Philadelphia
youtube.com
September 22, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Just because the Eagles won at the last minute yesterday (literally!) doesn't mean you should wait to apply for the Low Income Tax Freeze and Senior Citizen Tax Freeze. Applications are due September 30th!
Apply for the Low Income Tax Freeze and Senior Citizen Tax Freeze by September 30th! Thank you to Monty Wilson and Rachel Gallegos, Attorneys in the Homeownership & Consumer Rights Unit, for spreading the word. Go Birds.
youtube.com/shorts/cncpi...
youtube.com/shorts/cncpi...
Apply for the Low Income Tax Freeze and Senior Citizen Tax Freese by September 30th!
YouTube video by Community Legal Services of Philadelphia
youtube.com
September 11, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Apply for the Low Income Tax Freeze and Senior Citizen Tax Freeze by September 30th! Thank you to Monty Wilson and Rachel Gallegos, Attorneys in the Homeownership & Consumer Rights Unit, for spreading the word. Go Birds.
youtube.com/shorts/cncpi...
youtube.com/shorts/cncpi...
Applications are now open for our summer law student internship program! Interns will receive exceptional training and the opportunity to work with some of the most talented legal minds in civil legal services.
Learn more about the internship and apply at clsphila.org/careers.
Learn more about the internship and apply at clsphila.org/careers.
September 4, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Applications are now open for our summer law student internship program! Interns will receive exceptional training and the opportunity to work with some of the most talented legal minds in civil legal services.
Learn more about the internship and apply at clsphila.org/careers.
Learn more about the internship and apply at clsphila.org/careers.
Thank you to Council Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson for hosting a Wills Workshop with us last week, in collaboration with Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr. and the City of Philadelphia Register of Wills.
September 4, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Thank you to Council Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson for hosting a Wills Workshop with us last week, in collaboration with Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr. and the City of Philadelphia Register of Wills.
Thank you to Councilmembers Rue Landau and Nina Ahmad for hosting us for a constituent services training session about helping Philadelphians navigate the new SNAP work requirements.
September 3, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Thank you to Councilmembers Rue Landau and Nina Ahmad for hosting us for a constituent services training session about helping Philadelphians navigate the new SNAP work requirements.
Find out if you may able to get your record cleared to open the door to new employment opportunities! Check out mycleanslatepa.org
If your record can’t be sealed and you need to apply for a pardon, there’s good news! The Board of Pardons recently launched a new, easy, online application: bop.pa.gov
If your record can’t be sealed and you need to apply for a pardon, there’s good news! The Board of Pardons recently launched a new, easy, online application: bop.pa.gov
September 3, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Find out if you may able to get your record cleared to open the door to new employment opportunities! Check out mycleanslatepa.org
If your record can’t be sealed and you need to apply for a pardon, there’s good news! The Board of Pardons recently launched a new, easy, online application: bop.pa.gov
If your record can’t be sealed and you need to apply for a pardon, there’s good news! The Board of Pardons recently launched a new, easy, online application: bop.pa.gov
Reposted by Community Legal Services of Philadelphia
New SNAP rules start in September! Most adults must now work 20+ hours/week to stay on SNAP unless exempt. Those who aren’t exempt or don’t meet the requirement can only get 3 months of SNAP every 3 years.
Need help? Check out this guide from @clsphila.bsky.social: clsphila.org/SNAPchanges
Need help? Check out this guide from @clsphila.bsky.social: clsphila.org/SNAPchanges
August 21, 2025 at 10:27 PM
New SNAP rules start in September! Most adults must now work 20+ hours/week to stay on SNAP unless exempt. Those who aren’t exempt or don’t meet the requirement can only get 3 months of SNAP every 3 years.
Need help? Check out this guide from @clsphila.bsky.social: clsphila.org/SNAPchanges
Need help? Check out this guide from @clsphila.bsky.social: clsphila.org/SNAPchanges