This post was written by 2018 Legal Aid summer interns Tracey Zhang, David Wasserstein, Jenny Jiao, and Shelby Ferguson

Among the most illuminating experiences we had during our internship this summer was the opportunity to make early morning visits to the Department of Human Services (DHS) Service Centers to gather data about the lines of residents waiting outside. The District’s most vulnerable residents wait in line at DHS Service Centers to secure access to vital safety net benefits such as food stamps, health insurance, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. Residents can be turned away once Service Centers reach capacity, and therefore often get in line long before sunrise. They must wait outside, even in the summer heat or bitter cold of winter. Many of the waiting customers are elderly, living with disabilities, or accompanied by young children, factors that make long waits even more difficult.

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Ten law firm teams once again sizzled in the kitchen at CulinAerie during Legal Aid’s 5th Annual Generous Associates Campaign Cooking Competition. Susan Holt, Co-Founder of CulinAerie, graciously hosted the event and emceed the evening, unveiling this year’s secret ingredient: Cherries! Read more →

With the federal government under a shut down today, much of the focus has remained fixed on the political battles, spin, and determining “winners” and “losers.” But there are very real human costs here that we cannot overlook. Legal Aid stands with members of immigrant communities whose lives continue to be in limbo, even with today’s short-term spending bill. We also want to take a moment to acknowledge further populations that are affected negatively by federal dysfunction. Read more →

Legal Aid is proud to announce that we are expanding our programming to improve access to critically-needed legal services for D.C.’s immigrant community. The new program will be seeded by a $150,000 grant from the Venable Foundation, one of five grants the Foundation will provide to legal aid organizations nationwide.

“Our immigrant neighbors in the District face a wide range of legal challenges, yet often have trouble accessing the legal system either because of language issues or because of the fear of deportation,” said Eric Angel, Executive Director. “Legal Aid is committed to actively standing up for the rights of all residents of D.C., no matter where they were born. This expanded programming will help us achieve that goal.” Read more →

Legal Aid joined Hogan Lovells and the National Center for Law and Economic Justice today in filing a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against the DC Department of Human Services (DHS) over systemic failures in their administration of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, commonly known as food stamps. That suit alleges that SNAP recipients have wrongfully seen their benefits terminated, delayed and/or suspended, often without notice, forcing them to turn to emergency food programs for help.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL COVERAGE IN THE WASHINGTON POST
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Last week, several Legal Aid attorneys left the courtroom for the TV studio. Dean Shelley Broderick of the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law hosts a public television show on UDC-TV called Sound Advice that focuses on legal problems affecting residents of the District living in poverty. Dean Broderick welcomed attorneys from Legal Aid’s family/domestic violence and public benefits units to talk about their legal practices. Read more →

In just one week, Legal Aid will be kicking off our annual Generous Associates Campaign to raise $1.5 million for the cause of making justice real for D.C.’s low-income residents! More than 200 associates from 80 D.C. law firms have already confirmed their participation this year in what could be the biggest Campaign ever in Legal Aid’s 85 year history! But there is still plenty of time to join up! Read more →

Legal Aid is pleased to announce that effective immediately, the Social Security Administration will no longer confiscate income tax returns to repay certain alleged debts incurred before 2002. This change in policy comes as Legal Aid and the law firm of Alston & Bird LLP continue to litigate a federal putative class-action lawsuit challenging this practice and seeking compensation for victims who have been subject to it. That case—filed on behalf of District of Columbia residents Tina Heard, Pearline Snow, and Carolyn Graham, and others similarly situated—remains pending in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Read more →

Legal Aid was saddened to learn of the passing of former Board member and Past President of the Board Daniel W. Toohey. Dan passed away at home on Monday, April 10, 2017, due to illness. He was 77. Read more →

Vanita Gupta (Photo courtesy of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights)

The Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia congratulates our 2017 Servant of Justice Honoree Vanita Gupta on her new post as President and Chief Executive Officer of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights (effective June 1).

This exciting announcement is relatively hot off the presses, having been announced publicly just yesterday:  on June 1, Vanita, the former Head of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, will succeed Wade Henderson, who served as President and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights since June 1996. Read more →