Economic Justice

DMV holds for bridge tolls return, along with deep inequities

Jan 27, 2025 Comments Off on DMV holds for bridge tolls return, along with deep inequities
February 7 @ 6:35 am

A story by Noah Baustin in today’s San Francisco Standard examines the post-pandemic return of DMV registration holds for unpaid bridge and FasTrak tolls and fees. Since the fall of 2023, regional Bay Area toll agencies have resumed the practice of sending unpaid tolls, fees and fines to the DMV…

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“They made me stronger”: BayLegal’s client advocacy builds power

Nov 27, 2024 Comments Off on “They made me stronger”: BayLegal’s client advocacy builds power
February 7 @ 6:35 am

Dear Friends: Legal help makes the difference in having or not having housing, food, safety, and healthcare.  Our attorneys and advocates know firsthand that legal advocacy and strong public systems make the difference in lifting people out of poverty, preventing and moving people from homelessness to stability, and breaking cycles…

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“A qualified yes”: new Social Security rules on remote appeal hearings

Oct 23, 2024 Comments Off on “A qualified yes”: new Social Security rules on remote appeal hearings
February 7 @ 6:35 am

The AARP website features an in-depth examination of new Social Security Administration (SSA) rules for remote access to appeal hearings. The new rules make permanent some exceptions to requirements for in-person hearings by SSI/SSDI claimants. SSA put these exceptions in place during the Covid-19 pandemic. The story quotes a number…

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Align SFMTA Tow Policy with Economic and Racial Justice

Jun 24, 2020 Comments Off on Align SFMTA Tow Policy with Economic and Racial Justice
February 7 @ 6:35 am

BayLegal, along with 26 other organizations and individuals, has submitted a letter to the Director and Board of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) advocating for the end of poverty tows in San Francisco, and for a tow and impound policy aligned with economic and racial justice. “Poverty tows”…

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Updates on BayLegal’s Advocacy with the Judicial Council of California

Jun 17, 2020 Comments Off on Updates on BayLegal’s Advocacy with the Judicial Council of California
February 7 @ 6:35 am

The Judicial Council is the policymaking body of the California courts. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, BayLegal has worked with the Judicial Council to advocate for the needs of low-income litigants and for overall public safety within the legal system, supporting the statewide suspension of eviction proceedings along with court closures…

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Q&A: Economic Impact Payments, Unemployment, and Outreach to Unhoused Bay Area Residents

Jun 11, 2020 Comments Off on Q&A: Economic Impact Payments, Unemployment, and Outreach to Unhoused Bay Area Residents
February 7 @ 6:35 am

The San Francisco Chronicle last week published this useful Q&A on public benefits and emergency relief linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. Business columnist Kathleen Pender reached out to several Bay Area organizations serving public benefits recipients and unhoused people for answers on Economic Impact Payments, unemployment, and related topics. BayLegal…

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Court of Appeal Ruling Could Invalidate Thousands of Driver’s License Suspensions

Jun 4, 2020 Comments Off on Court of Appeal Ruling Could Invalidate Thousands of Driver’s License Suspensions
February 7 @ 6:35 am

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 4, 2020 Media Contact: Taylor Brady, Bay Area Legal Aid, Tbrady@baylegal.org, (510) 250-5234   ***PRESS RELEASE***  Court of Appeal Ruling Could Invalidate Thousands of Driver’s License Suspensions SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA —The California Court of Appeal ruled that the Department of Motor Vehicles cannot suspend the licenses…

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Updates on CARES Act Stimulus Payments: Fraud Alert and Information on Direct Payments

May 19, 2020 Comments Off on Updates on CARES Act Stimulus Payments: Fraud Alert and Information on Direct Payments
February 7 @ 6:35 am

Fraud Alert The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) informs the public that there have been reports of nursing homes and assisted living facilities requiring residents to sign over their Economic Impact Payments. According to the FTC: [T]hose economic impact payments are considered tax credits and tax credits don’t count as “resources”…

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Fighting for Second Chances: BayLegal’s Reentry Unit

May 1, 2020 Comments Off on Fighting for Second Chances: BayLegal’s Reentry Unit
February 7 @ 6:35 am

“Fear isn’t holding me back as much”   Luke is the father of two boys. One is three years old, the other seven. He works for a subcontracting company in the East Bay, where he spoke to us by phone from the company’s warehouse. “We’re still working during the pandemic,”…

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“Towed Into Debt”: Major New Report Shows How Towing Practices in CA Unfairly Harm Low-Income Drivers

Mar 18, 2019 Comments Off on “Towed Into Debt”: Major New Report Shows How Towing Practices in CA Unfairly Harm Low-Income Drivers
February 7 @ 6:35 am

Today Bay Area Legal Aid announces the publication of “Towed Into Debt.” This major new report looks at the economic, legal, and policy aspects of municipal tow and impound practices across multiple cities in California, where approximately 1 million vehicles are towed by public agencies each year, and finds compelling…

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