Your gift supports LASP's Helpline, which makes legal services accessible with a phone call. The Helpline also provides 24/7 access through our online application portal.

During the pandemic, Helpline staff have served as a resource connecting people in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties with essential legal services.

With new Coronavirus variants emerging, the Helpline remains essential. Your Giving Tuesday donation will help keep the service available so that those who cannot afford legal representation can reach out for help without coming into an office.

Deadline to apply for FEMA help in PA is extended to Friday, Dec. 10

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has extended the deadline to apply for help from Hurricane Ida damage to Friday, Dec. 10. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania requested the extension to allow extra time for residents to register for assistance.

Homeowners and renters who sustained damage to their property, that wasn’t covered by insurance, in Bedford, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia, and York counties now have until Dec. 10 to apply for FEMA assistance.

How to apply for FEMA assistance:

You will need these documents to apply to FEMA: Social Security number; address of the damaged primary residence; insurance coverage information; current telephone number and mailing address; and bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit of funds.

If you do not have a Social Security card:

As long as someone in the home is a citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified undocumented immigrant, they can apply for FEMA assistance. The Montgomery County Hurricane Ida webpage explains:

If you are not sure whether or not you can get help, FEMA recommends applying!

More resources:

Low-income survivors facing legal issues due to Hurricane Ida may call 877-429-5994 Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., or leave a message.

Sara Planthaber, J.D., M.S.W., LASP's Hurricane Ida Helpline Specialist, noted, "Applicants only have 60 days from the date on their denial/decision letter to appeal, so it's important to call us right away once they receive their decision letter."

Examples of legal help available may include:

Click here, or image above, for downloadable PDF flyer.

The storm may have passed, but legal problems stemming from Hurricane Ida continue.

Legal Aid of Southeastern PA needs pro bono attorneys to assist in the Hurricane Ida recovery effort. Specific case types where pro bono assistance is needed include insurance claims and legal problems related to home repair contracts and contractors.

If you can volunteer or would like more information, please contact Kesha James, Deputy Director for Advocacy and Pro Bono Director, at 484-209-0911 or kjames@lasp.org, reach out to your county's pro bono coordinator, or sign up to volunteer on our website.

PHILADELPHIA - To celebrate the start of the team’s season of giving, Phillies Charities, Inc. announced Nov. 22 that Legal Aid of Southeastern PA is among its 2021 Community Heroes and will receive a $20,000 grant.

Click to read Major League Baseball's press release.

"Phillies Charities, Inc. Kicks Off Season of Giving by Announcing 2021 Community Heroes & Awarding $885,000 in Grants"

mlb.com | Nov. 23, 2021 | https://atmlb.com/3HIS54p

"Tax Credits Will Help Levittown-Area-Nonprofits"

by Tom Sofield | LevittownNow.com | Nov. 10, 2021 | bit.ly/3ojKtMA

"$3.8M Allotted To 12 Bucks Co. Community Revitalization Projects"

by Kate Fishman | Doylestown, PA Patch.com | Nov. 9, 2021 | bit.ly/3wCeISH

"Hurricane Ida Leaves Legal Problems in its Wake"

by Sara Planthaber, J.D., M.S.W., LASP Hurricane Ida helpline Specialist | Chester County Bar Association New Matter | 4th Quarter 2021 | bit.ly/3Hyl4YB

"Montgomery County launches new diversionary court program with first two graduates: The Choice Is Yours program offers second chances"

by Carl Hessler, Jr. | Norristown Times-Herald | Nov. 16, 2021 | bit.ly/3CppzAO

"Evictions rising even as rental help from Congress reaches millions of people"

by Chris Arnold | NPR | Nov. 11, 2021 | https://n.pr/3Fx3SAz

Are you behind on rent or utility payments due to COVID-19? Apply NOW for help through your county. LASP's News webpage, bit.ly/rent-utility-help, links to programs WITH EXISTING FUNDING in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties. Landlords and utility companies get paid through this funding, and tenants avoid eviction. Flyers for each program are provided. Live elsewhere in PA? Find the program in your county.

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps families living on low incomes pay their heating bills in the form of a cash grant. The 2021-22 program opened Oct. 18, 2021, and will close May 6, 2022.

For eligibility and how to apply, including in-person locations in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties, see the article and downloadable flyer on LASP's website News page, or click image at right to display full-page flyer.

LASP's Richard Prebil joins Legal Services Corp.'s & House Legal Aid Caucus' Nov. 9 briefing, 'Ensuring Veterans' Access to Vital Legal Services'

The U.S. House of Representatives' Caucus on Civil Legal Aid and the Legal Services Corp. (LSC) co-hosted a two-hour briefing on veterans’ access to vital legal services Nov. 9. Originally, the program was scheduled to take place at the Constitution Center in Philadelphia, but it was switched to virtual due to concerns with COVID-19 variants. This was LSC’s fourth annual Veterans Day program. 

This year, Richard Prebil, Staff Attorney in LASP's Veterans Advocacy Project, presented as part of a panel on Responding to Veteran Homelessness. Richard's presentation focused on the impact legal services organizations, and LASP specifically, have when working with veterans experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, homelessness. "As attorneys, we have a unique ability to help veterans with initial applications [for VA benefits], to make strong cases up front, qualify for benefits and health care more quickly, and not have to go through the arduous process of VA appeals," Richard said. "Our impact can be remarkable. For example, through 2021, we have helped veterans receive over $87,000 in retroactive service-connected disability compensation benefits, which equates to over $3.6 million in estimated lifetime benefits for these veterans."

Prebil explained that LASP also works extensively with social service and government organizations in our community to assist veterans experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, homelessness. "Through the extensive partnerships and collaborations ... we have been able to build a safety net of services to assist veterans in our community," he said. "For example, through our partnership with the Veterans Multi-Service Center, an SSVF (Supportive Services for Veteran Families) provider, we have been able to work with 139 veterans experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness with over 350 different legal issues. Additionally, through our partnership with VMC, we have been able to partner with other civil legal service providers in Pennsylvania (North Penn and Mid Penn Legal Services) to provide needed income security advocacy through VA service-connection and discharge upgrade assistance for veterans in 13 other counties in northern and central Pennsylvania."

U.S. Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick and Mary Gay Scanlon, who co-chair the House Caucus on Civil Legal Aid, both provided opening remarks at the briefing. Near the conclusion, Prebil and Scanlon discussed the importance of the SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access and Recovery (SOAR) certification program to increasing the speed of Social Security claims for individuals experiencing homelessness and living with severe disabilities. Multiple LASP attorneys have earned SOAR-certification, including Craig Kline, Richard Prebil, Deborah Steeves, Elizabeth Tarloski, and Michelle R. Terry.

Further resources:

John Malcolm (at top left), Legal Services Corp. board member, moderated a panel with Richard Prebil (at lower left), Staff Attorney with LASP's Veterans Advocacy Project; John Kuhn, National Director of Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) at the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs; and Jill Williams, board member, Homeless Persons Representation Project.

The Air Force veteran’s Unemployment Compensation suddenly stopped. He tried to find out why, but couldn’t get an answer. Meanwhile, he used up all his savings.

He turned to a veteran’s program which referred him to LASP. His LASP attorney figured out the problem, and fixed it. Within days, Mr. W’s benefits were available to him. He paid his rent and he and his son remained in their apartment.

Your generous donation keeps LASP working for people like Mr. W and his son. Get an early start on your end-of-year giving and provide legal help to people who can’t afford an attorney.

Make your donation to LASP at bit.ly/LASPGivTue.

Wills for veterans: Clinic in Norristown helps 16 veterans & spouses draft 38 estate planning documents

NORRISTOWN - In honor of Veterans Day, LASP's Veterans Advocacy Project hosted a two-day estate planning clinic in collaboration with the Montgomery County Vet Center in Norristown. On Nov. 9-10, LASP assisted 16 veterans and spouses in the drafting of 38 wills, financial powers of attorney, and health care powers of attorney/living wills.

LASP thanks the pro bono attorneys and paralegals who assisted in the drafting of these important documents: Kelsey Frankowski, Esq., Georgeadis Setley, Wyomissing; Patricia M. Hampson, Esq., Patricia M. Hampson Esq. LLC, Hatfield; Jade Merkel, Georgeadis Setley; William Oleckna, Esq., Lavin, Cedrone, Graver, Boyd & DiSipio, Philadelphia; Nicole Plank, Esq., Georgeadis Setley; Franqui-Ann Raffaele, Esq., The Fleischmann Law Firm, PC, Skippack; Hon. Joseph Walsh, Walsh Pancio LLC, Lansdale.

Veterans Advocacy Project Staff Attorneys Richard Prebil and Elizabeth Tarloski coordinated the event. They also thank LASP advocates who assisted at the clinic: Joseph Diorio, Esq., Helpline Fellow; Jean Gauger, Pottstown Office Manager; Venezla Moses, Helpline Paralegal; Susan Rizzardi, Norristown Office Manager; and Deborah Steeves, Staff Attorney.

EXTON - Need ID? Free ID clinics are held in December every Wednesday 1–3 p.m. and Friday 10 a.m–12 p.m., through Dec. 17. The clinics will be at PA CareerLink, 479 Thomas Jones Way, Suite 500, Exton, PA 19380. They are held in partnership with LASP, the United Way of Chester County's Financial Stability Center, and PA CareerLink of Chester County.

To schedule a 30-minute appointment with a trained volunteer, contact Edwina at 610-429-9400, ext. 4115 or ejohnson@uwchestercounty.org.

Click for one-page PDF flyer.

LASP Staff Attorney Deborah Steeves will present a free, virtual Clean Slate and Expungement Workshop in partnership with the Coatesville Center for Community Health.

The workshops will help individuals with criminal records who may have been denied employment or other services because of their record. Participants will learn about the Clean Slate and expungement process, eligibility, and learn how to proceed. Open to the public. Questions? Email ccch@comcast.net.

To obtain a copy of your criminal record, visit ujsportal.pacourts.us/CaseSearch.

EXTON - A free legal clinic will be Tuesday, Dec. 21 from 9 a.m.-noon at PA CareerLink, 479 Thomas Jones Way, Suite 500, Exton, PA 19380. The clinic is in partnership with LASP, the United Way of Chester County's Financial Stability Center, and PA CareerLink of Chester County.

To schedule a 30-minute appointment with a Legal Aid of Southeastern PA attorney, contact Edwina at 610-429-9400, ext. 4115 or ejohnson@uwchestercounty.org.

Click flyer at right for one-page PDF.

CHESTER City - Anthony Antonini has served this fall as Veterans Benefits Legal Fellow with the Veterans Advocacy Project/Community Engagement Unit. He passed the New Jersey Bar earlier this month. In January, he will be stationed with the JAG Corps in Fort Huachuca, Arizona. He earned his J.D. in May from Temple University and his B.S. in Diplomacy from Seton Hall University, where he also completed the Army ROTC program. During law school, he served as First Lieutenant; Executive Officer and Platoon Leader in the U.S. Army Reserves based in Baltimore, MD. Law school internships included the U.S. Attorneys’ Office, Eastern District of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia as practicum Intern in the Criminal Division; U.S. Army Judge Advocate General Corps as legal intern based in Fort Hood, Texas; LASP intern from January-May 2020; and Military Assistance Project.

NORRISTOWN - Kimberly Baxter is a 2021-22 intern in LASP's Community Engagement Unit. At Villanova Law, Kimberly is the 1L Liaison for the Black Law Students Association, a volunteer for the Federal Tax Clinic, and a member of the National Trial Team, Criminal Law Society, and Pro Bono Society. She served as a research assistant for Professor Chanenson and as summer 2021 intern for the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office, Pottstown Unit. She participated in the Montgomery Bar Association's 1L Summer Diversity Program and was awarded their public interest scholarship. She is a Resident Assistant for first-year undergraduate students. Kimberly holds a B.S. in Political Science and Criminal Justice from The University of Scranton. She graduated in the honors research program, where she wrote and defended her thesis on obligations of universities and criminal/civil courts regarding Title IX. At Scranton she served as a senator and secretary for student government, tour guide for the Office of Admissions, and a head resident assistant for the Office of Residence Life. She participated in an immersion-based trip to the Kino Border in Nogales, Mexico and to Los Angeles, where she volunteered with Homeboy Industries, a gang intervention, rehabilitation and reentry program that seeks to break the cycle of intergenerational violence. In summer 2019, she interned with Judge Michael Barrasse at the Lackawanna County Courthouse's drug treatment and mental health courts. (Photo by University of Scranton Royal News.)

NORRISTOWN - A Legal Intern for the 2021-22 academic year, Danielle Paterno is a student at Drexel University Thomas L. Kline School of Law, where she earned a Public Interest Scholarship and is a Teaching Assistant for the 1L Torts class. Danielle holds a B.A. in Psychology from the College of New Jersey. Her professional experience includes eight years as a Research Teaching Specialist at Rutgers University, in the Division of Schizophrenia Research. She has served as a court-appointed special advocate for children at the Stopping Child Abuse Network (SCAN) in Arlington, Virginia, and volunteered delivering food for Sanctuary DMV, an immigrants rights organization in the Washington, DC area. She is an avid outdoors enthusiast, hiker and rock climber and enjoys oil painting.

NORRISTOWN - Dominick Resto-Harper is a paralegal intern in the Community Engagement Unit in Norristown. A student at Delaware County Community College, he is working toward his Associate degree in Paralegal Studies. Fluent in Spanish, he managed the DCCC Law Day presentation on gentrification, placing second in the first group to present at the otherwise individual competition. At DCCC's Expungement Clinic with LASP, he provided attorneys with case memos containing clients' criminal history and communicated with clients to provide needed paperwork. An alumnus of West York High School in York, PA, he has conducted market research for Survey.com, and worked as a lifeguard, personal trainer and bartender/server.

NORRISTOWN - A fall intern in the Community Engagement Unit, Leigh Ann Rossetti is a student at Villanova University's Charles Widger School of Law. She holds a B.A. in forensic science, psychology, and philosophy from Syracuse University. Leigh Ann is a founding member & 2L Representative for the Student Mental Health Society at Villanova and social media chair for the Villanova Law Democrats. This summer, she was Law Clerk at Anapol Weiss Law Firm in Philadelphia. At Syracuse, she participated in the Mock Trial, Phi Alpha Delta, and Swim Club. As Resident Advisor from 2017-20, she worked specifically in the Science, Technology, and Math (2017-19) and Psychology in Action (2019-20) learning communities to create relationships among faculty members and students of similar majors. As lifeguard supervisor for Syracuse University Recreation Services, Leigh Ann supervised over 50 lifeguards. A research assistant in the Syracuse University Moral and Political Decision-Making Lab, she studied the psychology of and simulated interrogation methods to explore under what conditions people are more likely to reveal information they are instructed to keep secret.

CHESTER City - A fall intern with LASP's Veterans Advocacy Project, Dennis Scoggin is a law student at Penn State Dickinson Law, where he is treasurer of the Student Bar Association and a Law Lion Ambassador. He holds a B.S. in psychology from Campbell University in North Carolina. Dennis served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a Supply Administration and Operations Specialist from 2009-13 with multiple commendations, including the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, NATO Medal-ISAF Afghanistan, National Defense Service Medal, and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. He was a summer law clerk for Abom & Kutulakis, LLC in Carlisle. Having roots in multiple countries, Dennis enjoys exploring museums and the outdoors with his son. He was a tenor in the Fresno Master Chorale and performed often with the Fresno Philharmonic Orchestra.

NORRISTOWN - A Legal Fellow with the Community Engagement Unit, Jordan Shead earned her J.D. from Loyola University Chicago School of Law, where she was 2020-21 Student Bar Association Diversity Chair and a Curt and Linda Rodin Social Justice Fellow. She also holds a B.A. in Classics from the University of Notre Dame, where she was varsity track and field co-captain her senior year. At Loyola, she served as program administrator for the 11th Annual Constitutional Law Colloquium, law student liaison for Loyola Law Academy for high school students; and student research assistant, working with the Director of Public Interest Programs. She interned at the James B. Moran Center for Youth Advocacy in civil legal aid services and held an externship with Ascend Justice in the Order of Protection Division. Jordan also held a clerkship in child protection with the Cook County Office of the Public Guardian and volunteered with the John Howard Association Prison Response Unit. She was Public Interest Law Society President at Loyola and Stand Up for Each Other vice president, advocating for K-12 students who were suspended, bullied or excluded from schools.

WEST CHESTER - An Attorney Fellow in LASP's Chester County Office, David Srinivasan holds a J.D. from Emory University School of Law and a B.A. in Politics and International Affairs from Wake Forest University. He has bar admission in Pennsylvania and the Eastern District of PA. As an attorney with Srinivasan Law in West Chester, he provided comprehensive legal counsel to clients on legal matters related to family law, including divorce, equitable distribution, custody, termination of parental rights, adoption, and Protection from Abuse. He represented clients in court as well as in alternative dispute resolution settings. During law school, he served as Law Clerk at MacElree Harvey, Ltd. and in the City Solicitor's Office of Wilmington, Delaware.

NORRISTOWN - A law student at Drexel University, Kellie M. Wiltsie is a fall intern in the Community Engagement Unit's Pardon Project. She also is studying at Drexel for a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. She holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice (with honors) and National Security from the University of New Haven. She conducted an Independent Study to evaluate a correctional substance abuse treatment program. She served as a Legal Intern for the Bucks County Public Defender's Office in summer 2019. At "Spring Break at LASP" in March 2019 with LASP's Community Engagement Unit, she assisted with criminal record expungement applications.

If you received e-news as a forward or found it on social media, please subscribe at lasp.org/enews or email Marion Hoffman Fraley, Communications Director, at mfraley@lasp.org.

Past issues are at lasp.org/enews.

Click to read the Giving Tuesday letter from Shawn Boehringer, Executive Director.