COVID-19 Tenant Legal Assistance Project Aids
Suffolk Tenants in Financial Distress
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Thanks to a grant from the office of New York Attorney General Letitia James, the ability of Nassau Suffolk Law Services to assist tenants facing housing insecurity as a result of the pandemic has expanded. Many people who previously had stable incomes became unable to pay their rent during the pandemic and may now be facing eviction as a result. Our new COVID-19 Tenant Legal Assistance Project may be able to help.
Eviction proceedings are taking place now. Tenants who have fallen behind on their rent or whose landlords have simply opted not to continue renting face a real and immediate risk of eviction. While New York has enacted important protections for people struggling to pay their rent as a result of the pandemic, these protections are not automatic. It may be difficult for many people to understand their rights or establish pandemic-related defenses without assistance from an attorney. Read on for information about training sessions for the public and advocates on landlord-tenant law during the pandemic.
The COVID-19 Tenant Legal Assistance Project, which will harness the generosity of volunteer attorneys, seeks to assist eligible Suffolk County tenants facing financial hardship. Volunteer attorneys will provide advice and counsel over the phone or through virtual counseling sessions. Those who are interested may also represent tenants in court on a limited scope representation basis with no commitment to ongoing representation. Michele Fischetti, an NSLS staff attorney with years of experience representing tenants, will coordinate the program and provide training and support to volunteers.
Nassau Suffolk Law Services' Civil Units in both counties, and the Volunteer Attorney of the Day program in Nassau County also continue to serve low-income clients, with the goal of being available at all Landlord-Tenant court days island-wide.
Tenants facing eviction should call our offices at 631-232-2400 in Suffolk or 516-292-8100 in Nassau. Attorneys interested in volunteering in Suffolk County to help people struggling to recover from the economic consequences of the pandemic may contact Michele Fischetti at mfischetti@nsls.legal. Attorneys interested in the Volunteer Attorney of the Day program in Nassau County may contact Roberta Scoll at rscoll@nsls.legal.
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FREE COMMUNITY LEGAL EDUCATION WEBINARS |
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Sepa Sus Derechos como Inquilinos
Junto con Brentwood Public Library
Lunes, 16 de noviembre, 6:00-7:00 pm
Presentado por Abogada de NSLS,
Paola Arango
Muchos inquilinos tienen preguntas sobre sus derechos durante la pandemia de COVID-19 especialmente ahora que procedimientos de la corte han reanudado. Esta conferencia en línea explicará los conocimientos básicos de la ley de propietarios e inquilinos en Nueva York incluso contratos de arrendamiento, el proceso de la corte y el desalojo. Discutiremos cambios en la ley y procedimientos de la corte que protejan personas pasando por dificultades durante la pandemia.
Aunque todos son bienvenidos, este programa está diseñado para inquilinos. Este programa se ofrecerá en fechas separadas en inglés y español. Consulte la información previa para obtener información sobre la sesión en inglés y ayúdenos a compartir esta información con la comunidad.
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Understanding Medicaid Managed Long-Term Care for Families
Friday, December 11, 6:00 pm
Presented by NSLS ICAN Unit Staff Attorney, Agnes Bonavoglia
ICAN, or Independent Consumer Advocacy Network, supports people in Medicaid long-term and managed care plans who need services in the community, like home attendants or adult day care. This presentation for Medicaid recipients, families and caregivers will describe Nassau Suffolk Law Services' ICAN Unit. Learn about the assistance, advocacy, and representation we provide for Long Island residents receiving long-term care in the community. The presentation will also discuss the benefits and services Medicaid long-term care programs provide. It will explain how to access those services and what rights a participant has. Finally, learn how to address quality issues or denials of services.
Bring your questions about what to expect after the 2020 Medicaid amendments go into effect next year!
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FREE LEGAL SUPPORT CENTER FOR ADVOCATES WEBINARS |
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Landlord-Tenant Update
for Advocates
Friday, December 4, 12:00-1:30 pm
Presented by NSLS Senior Staff Attorney, Marissa Luchs Kindler
Advocates are on the front lines of assisting people facing housing insecurity in the wake of the pandemic. Even advocates familiar with eviction procedures and tenant protections prior to the pandemic may have questions about how landlord-tenant proceedings are being handled. This webinar will review post-COVID tenant protections, including the Tenant Safe Harbor Act, Executive Orders and the CDC Moratorium and address how the Courts have been implementing these protections.
While all advocates are welcome, this presentation is designed for more experienced advocates and is not meant for the general public.
Contact Cathy Lucidi at clucidi@nsls.legal or 631-232-2400 ext. 3324 with any questions.
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Understanding Medicaid Managed Long-Term Care for Advocates
Friday, November 20, 12:00-1:00 pm
Presented by NSLS ICAN Unit Staff Attorney, Amanda Davis
ICAN, or Independent Consumer Advocacy Network, supports people in Medicaid long-term and managed care plans who need services in the community, like home attendants or adult day care. This presentation for advocates and health aids will describe Nassau Suffolk Law Services' ICAN Unit and the assistance, advocacy, and representation we provide for Long Island residents receiving long-term care services in the community through Medicaid. Learn about the benefits and services Medicaid long-term care programs provide, how to access those services, what rights a participant has, and how to address quality issues or denials of services.
Bring your questions about what to expect after the 2020 Medicaid amendments go into effect next year!
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NSLS IN THE COMMUNITY -
VIRTUALLY
On September 11, 2020, Lynn Iacona, supervising attorney of the Education and Disability Rights Project, gave a training titled "COVID-19 and Students with Disabilities" for community advocates. She reviewed and discussed pandemic related changes to New York Special Education Law.
On September 22, 2020, Liz Wolf, LMSW, Director of Social Work, presented to consumers and community agencies at NYLinks, Long Island Regional Group Networking Session sponsored by the AIDS Institute.
On September 25, 2020, Marissa Luchs Kindler, the Suffolk Civil Unit's supervising attorney, presented a training on Landlord-Tenant Law During the Pandemic. Nearly 100 community advocates attended. On November 9, 2020, Luchs Kindler also gave a Know Your Rights training for Tenants and the general public through the Brentwood Public Library.
On September 30, 2020, Susanna LaRuccia, Staff Attorney in the Veterans Rights Project, presented on the services the project offers at the Northport VA's Caregiver Support Resource Fair.
On October 22, 2020, Carly Sommers, Staff Attorney in our Re-Entry Project, participated in a panel on sex offenders' designations and housing discrimination. The event was sponsored by the Association for Mental Health and Wellness.
On October 23, 2020, Vivian Storm, Director of Communications & Community Projects, presented at the PSEG Energy Forum. Storm presented on the use of legal advocacy to address energy-related problems and COVID-related issues, including the moratorium on service disconnection.
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WHAT TO EXPECT IF LONG ISLAND DEVELOPS "MICRO-CLUSTER"
As COVID numbers on Long Island increase, the possibility of a Long Island school district being designated a micro-cluster site seems increasingly likely. Pursuant to Executive Order 202.68, the local Department of Health shall direct all public and non-public schools located in a red or orange micro-cluster zone to close in-person instruction until they can test students and staff. Only remote instruction will be allowed in these areas. However, schools in yellow zones may remain open with testing in place.
School districts must continue to make meals available to students in all zones.
In order for a school in a red or orange micro-cluster zones to reopen, schools must, at a minimum, ensure that no person (student, faculty, or staff) attends in-person without first receiving a negative test.
After a school reopens in a red or orange micro-cluster zone, 25% of the in-person learning school community (student, faculty, and staff) must be tested each week. Schools that cannot meet the reopening requirements must remain in remote learning for the duration of the zone designation.
Although schools in a yellow zone may remain open for in-person instruction, an October 9, 2020, NYDOH directive states that these schools are required to test 20% of in-person students, teachers, and staff, at least once a week, for as long as the school remains in a designated yellow zone.
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NSLS Adult Home Unit Provides a Legal Lifeline to Isolated Residents
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Click to view NSLS Staff Attorney Erika Verrill's video on the essential services
her unit provides during the pandemic.
Check our website for an updated FAQs for residents of Adult Care Facilities in micro-cluster areas here.
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LET’S REBUILD LONG ISLAND COMMUNITIES TOGETHER. |
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SUPPORT NASSAU SUFFOLK LAW SERVICES AND OUR MISSION
ALL ROADS LEAD TO JUSTICE: 2020 COMMITMENT TO JUSTICE CAMPAIGN
LET’S REBUILD LONG ISLAND COMMUNITIES TOGETHER.
The COVID-19 pandemic has created a severe financial crisis for many Long Islanders. Civil legal services are essential to making sure our neighbors have access to justice in cases affecting their basic needs--shelter, food, education and health care -- as well as COVID-19 related legal issues. Walk the path of justice with us by symbolically adopting/ honoring a NSLS Unit so we can continue to “Do What’s Legally Possible to Create a Just World.” Your donation will support the critical civil legal services Long Island communities need to thrive again. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of Long Island’s most vulnerable residents.
SYMBOLIC ADOPTION/HONOR LEVELS
Please visit our website at nslawservices.org for unit descriptions. Ads & videos will be displayed NSLS’ Commitment to Justice webpage and all NSLS social media outlets (ads will show your support for NSLS and may be used on all your social media outlets).
Supports all NSLS’s units. Logo and Branding Included on NSLS website, Social Media, Campaign Emails + 2 Center Spread Virtual Ads + 30 second video about why you support NSLS.
Supports four NSLS’s units. Logo and Branding Included on NSLS website, Social Media, Campaign Emails + 2 Full Page Virtual Ads + 30 second video about why you support NSLS.
Supports three NSLS Units. Logo and Branding Included on NSLS website, Social Media, Campaign Emails + 1 Full Page Virtual Ad + 30 second video about why you support NSLS.
Supports two NSLS Units + 1 Full Page Virtual Ad will be displayed on our NSLS website + NSLS social media outlets.
Supports one NSLS Unit + Half Page Virtual Ad Unit 1 FRIENDS OF JUSTICE - $300 Supports an NSLS employee + Quarter Page Virtual Ad
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OUR MISSION
NSLS is committed to helping people in need vindicate their rights under the law. We provide free legal services in thousands of civil cases each year as well as legal support to community advocates to ensure that low income, disabled and disadvantaged individuals have equal access to the civil justice system on Long Island.
JOIN OUR LOYAL SUPPORTERS AND DONATE TO LAW SERVICES
TO PROMOTE ACCESS TO JUSTICE.
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NASSAU SUFFOLK LAW SERVICES
631 232-2400 | 516 292-8100 | 631 369-1112
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