Self-Help forms and Online Resources relating to Consumer Law issues.
Click on a resource category listed below to see information related to that category.
Save Your Home Philly Hotline
For help with home mortgages, sheriff sales, tangled titles, or mediation scheduled through the Eviction Diversion program call the Save Your Home Philly Hotline at 215-334-HOME (4663) between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Outside of these hours, callers can leave a message and get a call back from a housing advocate. The Hotline provides advice, brief service, and connects thousands of callers to housing counselors each year. More information at the link.
PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services
Links to online services available from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Forms Center
Forms available from the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas
Upsolve
If you need to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you may be able to file your bankruptcy through Upsolve. Upsolve is a national non-profit that helps people file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy at no cost. Upsolve is an online program focused on assisting low-income Americans through Chapter 7 bankruptcy at no cost. Read about whether Chapter 7 bankruptcy is right for you!
U.S. Bankruptcy Forms - National
Find a national federal court form. National court forms can be used in all federal courts. Each federal court also maintains their own local court forms. Use the Federal Court Finder at https://www.uscourts.gov/federal-court-finder/search to find a federal court and their local court forms.
CFPB Consumer Complaint
Consumer complaints regarding financial products and services can be submitted to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
File a Complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center
Complaints filed via this website are processed and may be referred to federal, state, local or international law enforcement or regulatory agencies for possible investigation.
Identity Theft Report
Filing a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission is one of several important steps that victims of identity theft should take. This can help you in recovering from identity theft and help law enforcers catch identity thieves.
Warning Signs of Identity Theft
The Federal Trade Commission provides these clues that someone may have stolen your personal information.
Carbon Self Service Center - Forms
Download forms and information from the Carbon County Court of Common Pleas
Forms - Pennsylvania Courts
The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania provides forms for citizens, the judiciary and law enforcement. These bilingual forms are now offered in 13 languages. BILINGUAL FORMS / FORMULARIOS BILINGÜES: (ARABIC) العربية; 中文 (CHINESE-SIMPLIFIED); FRANÇAIS (FRENCH); KREYÒL AYISYEN (HAITIAN CREOLE); ITALIANO (ITALIAN); ខ្មែរ (KHMER); 한국어 (KOREAN); नेपाली (NEPALI); POLSKI (POLISH); PORTUGUÊS (PORTUGUESE); РУССКИЙ (RUSSIAN); ESPAÑOL (SPANISH); TIẾNG VIỆT (VIETNAMESE)
Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Forms Center
Forms available from the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas
Identity Theft Report
Filing a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission is one of several important steps that victims of identity theft should take. This can help you in recovering from identity theft and help law enforcers catch identity thieves.
Philadelphia County: Petition to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (IFP)
Form with instructions from the Family Division of the Court of Common Please of Philadelphia that may be used in custody proceedings taking place in Philadelphia courts.
Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Forms Center
Forms available from the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas
Warning Signs of Identity Theft
The Federal Trade Commission provides these clues that someone may have stolen your personal information.
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): Use the EITC Assistant
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) helps low to moderate-income workers and families get a tax break. Claiming the credit can reduce the tax you owe and may also give you a larger refund.
COMPASS - Apply for Public Benefits and Services from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania residents can apply for a variety of programs offered by the PA Department of Human Services, including public assistance, food stamps, health care coverage, energy assistance and other social service programs at this site
How to File a Show Cause Order in Cambria and Indiana Counties (Video)
This video from Summit Legal Aid, formerly Laurel Legal Services, shows how residents of Cambria and Indiana Counties can file a show cause order when a landlord shuts off your utilities to try and evict you. Summit Legal Aid was formed when Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Aid and Laurel Legal Services merged into a single legal aid program on July 1, 2023.
LIHEAP Benefit Amount Table
This tool from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services allows you to see the amount of Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) benefits you are eligible to receive. Select the county where you live and the type of fuel you use to heat your home or a type you to use for additional heat. The benefit table for your county and the type of fuel you use is displayed listing the LIHEAP benefit amount for your yearly income range and household size.
Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission - Formal Complaint Process
Information from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission regarding it's formal complaint process. The formal complaint process involves a legal proceeding where you and the utility must present facts on issues raised in your complaint to a PUC administrative law judge. The process can take six months or more until a complaint is adjudicated. Individuals or companies may file formal complaints. Individuals are not required to have a lawyer to file a formal complaint. However, companies must be represented by an attorney.
Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission - Informal Complaints
Information from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to assist consumers in resolving complaints with utility companies under the PUC’s authority. When an informal complaint is filed through the Bureau of Consumer Services (BCS), a BCS investigator works to facilitate discussion between the parties to resolve the complaint. This process is much less time-consuming than the formal complaint process and usually results in a faster resolution to the case. Informal complaints against utilities are confidential and not available for public inspection.
PUC Complaints
Information from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission on filing complaints with the Public Utility Commission.
COMPASS - Apply for Public Benefits and Services from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania residents can apply for a variety of programs offered by the PA Department of Human Services, including public assistance, food stamps, health care coverage, energy assistance and other social service programs at this site
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): Use the EITC Assistant
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) helps low to moderate-income workers and families get a tax break. Claiming the credit can reduce the tax you owe and may also give you a larger refund.
CFPB Consumer Complaint
Consumer complaints regarding financial products and services can be submitted to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
Federal Court Finder
Find a federal court location by location or court name, including appellate, district, bankruptcy, probation and pretrial office, or federal defender organization. Each District Court has its own local forms which are generally available on the Court website.
File a Complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center
Complaints filed via this website are processed and may be referred to federal, state, local or international law enforcement or regulatory agencies for possible investigation.
Forms - Pennsylvania Courts
The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania provides forms for citizens, the judiciary and law enforcement. These bilingual forms are now offered in 13 languages. BILINGUAL FORMS / FORMULARIOS BILINGÜES: (ARABIC) العربية; 中文 (CHINESE-SIMPLIFIED); FRANÇAIS (FRENCH); KREYÒL AYISYEN (HAITIAN CREOLE); ITALIANO (ITALIAN); ខ្មែរ (KHMER); 한국어 (KOREAN); नेपाली (NEPALI); POLSKI (POLISH); PORTUGUÊS (PORTUGUESE); РУССКИЙ (RUSSIAN); ESPAÑOL (SPANISH); TIẾNG VIỆT (VIETNAMESE)
How to File a Case in Philadelphia Small Claims Court
Explanation of the Small Claims Court process in Philadelphia from Philadelphia Legal Assistance as outlined in a brochure from the Philadelphia Municipal Court.
How to File a Show Cause Order in Cambria and Indiana Counties (Video)
This video from Summit Legal Aid, formerly Laurel Legal Services, shows how residents of Cambria and Indiana Counties can file a show cause order when a landlord shuts off your utilities to try and evict you. Summit Legal Aid was formed when Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Aid and Laurel Legal Services merged into a single legal aid program on July 1, 2023.
Identity Theft Report
Filing a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission is one of several important steps that victims of identity theft should take. This can help you in recovering from identity theft and help law enforcers catch identity thieves.
LIHEAP Benefit Amount Table
This tool from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services allows you to see the amount of Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) benefits you are eligible to receive. Select the county where you live and the type of fuel you use to heat your home or a type you to use for additional heat. The benefit table for your county and the type of fuel you use is displayed listing the LIHEAP benefit amount for your yearly income range and household size.
PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services
Links to online services available from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission - Formal Complaint Process
Information from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission regarding it's formal complaint process. The formal complaint process involves a legal proceeding where you and the utility must present facts on issues raised in your complaint to a PUC administrative law judge. The process can take six months or more until a complaint is adjudicated. Individuals or companies may file formal complaints. Individuals are not required to have a lawyer to file a formal complaint. However, companies must be represented by an attorney.
Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission - Informal Complaints
Information from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to assist consumers in resolving complaints with utility companies under the PUC’s authority. When an informal complaint is filed through the Bureau of Consumer Services (BCS), a BCS investigator works to facilitate discussion between the parties to resolve the complaint. This process is much less time-consuming than the formal complaint process and usually results in a faster resolution to the case. Informal complaints against utilities are confidential and not available for public inspection.
PUC Complaints
Information from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission on filing complaints with the Public Utility Commission.
Upsolve
If you need to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you may be able to file your bankruptcy through Upsolve. Upsolve is a national non-profit that helps people file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy at no cost. Upsolve is an online program focused on assisting low-income Americans through Chapter 7 bankruptcy at no cost. Read about whether Chapter 7 bankruptcy is right for you!
U.S. Bankruptcy Forms - National
Find a national federal court form. National court forms can be used in all federal courts. Each federal court also maintains their own local court forms. Use the Federal Court Finder at https://www.uscourts.gov/federal-court-finder/search to find a federal court and their local court forms.
How to File a Case in Philadelphia Small Claims Court
Explanation of the Small Claims Court process in Philadelphia from Philadelphia Legal Assistance as outlined in a brochure from the Philadelphia Municipal Court.
How to File a Show Cause Order in Cambria and Indiana Counties (Video)
This video from Summit Legal Aid, formerly Laurel Legal Services, shows how residents of Cambria and Indiana Counties can file a show cause order when a landlord shuts off your utilities to try and evict you. Summit Legal Aid was formed when Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Aid and Laurel Legal Services merged into a single legal aid program on July 1, 2023.
Save Your Home Philly Hotline
For help with home mortgages, sheriff sales, tangled titles, or mediation scheduled through the Eviction Diversion program call the Save Your Home Philly Hotline at 215-334-HOME (4663) between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Outside of these hours, callers can leave a message and get a call back from a housing advocate. The Hotline provides advice, brief service, and connects thousands of callers to housing counselors each year. More information at the link.
CFPB Consumer Complaint
Consumer complaints regarding financial products and services can be submitted to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
COMPASS - Apply for Public Benefits and Services from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania residents can apply for a variety of programs offered by the PA Department of Human Services, including public assistance, food stamps, health care coverage, energy assistance and other social service programs at this site
Forms - Pennsylvania Courts
The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania provides forms for citizens, the judiciary and law enforcement. These bilingual forms are now offered in 13 languages. BILINGUAL FORMS / FORMULARIOS BILINGÜES: (ARABIC) العربية; 中文 (CHINESE-SIMPLIFIED); FRANÇAIS (FRENCH); KREYÒL AYISYEN (HAITIAN CREOLE); ITALIANO (ITALIAN); ខ្មែរ (KHMER); 한국어 (KOREAN); नेपाली (NEPALI); POLSKI (POLISH); PORTUGUÊS (PORTUGUESE); РУССКИЙ (RUSSIAN); ESPAÑOL (SPANISH); TIẾNG VIỆT (VIETNAMESE)
PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services
Links to online services available from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
U.S. Bankruptcy Forms - National
Find a national federal court form. National court forms can be used in all federal courts. Each federal court also maintains their own local court forms. Use the Federal Court Finder at https://www.uscourts.gov/federal-court-finder/search to find a federal court and their local court forms.
Warning Signs of Identity Theft
The Federal Trade Commission provides these clues that someone may have stolen your personal information.
Upsolve
If you need to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you may be able to file your bankruptcy through Upsolve. Upsolve is a national non-profit that helps people file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy at no cost. Upsolve is an online program focused on assisting low-income Americans through Chapter 7 bankruptcy at no cost. Read about whether Chapter 7 bankruptcy is right for you!
Carbon Self Service Center - Forms
Download forms and information from the Carbon County Court of Common Pleas
Crawford County - Court Forms and Information
Forms and explanatory video from the Crawford County Court of Common Pleas
How to File a Show Cause Order in Cambria and Indiana Counties (Video)
This video from Summit Legal Aid, formerly Laurel Legal Services, shows how residents of Cambria and Indiana Counties can file a show cause order when a landlord shuts off your utilities to try and evict you. Summit Legal Aid was formed when Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Aid and Laurel Legal Services merged into a single legal aid program on July 1, 2023.
Warren and Forest Counties: Download Forms
Forms for use in the 37th Judicial District of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania - Warren and Forest Counties.
How to File a Show Cause Order in Cambria and Indiana Counties (Video)
This video from Summit Legal Aid, formerly Laurel Legal Services, shows how residents of Cambria and Indiana Counties can file a show cause order when a landlord shuts off your utilities to try and evict you. Summit Legal Aid was formed when Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Aid and Laurel Legal Services merged into a single legal aid program on July 1, 2023.
How to File a Case in Philadelphia Small Claims Court
Explanation of the Small Claims Court process in Philadelphia from Philadelphia Legal Assistance as outlined in a brochure from the Philadelphia Municipal Court.
Philadelphia County: Court Forms - Philadelphia Courts, First Judicial District
Forms that may be used in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas
Philadelphia County: Petition to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (IFP)
Form with instructions from the Family Division of the Court of Common Please of Philadelphia that may be used in custody proceedings taking place in Philadelphia courts.
Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Forms Center
Forms available from the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas
Warren and Forest Counties: Download Forms
Forms for use in the 37th Judicial District of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania - Warren and Forest Counties.
Westmoreland County: Forms
A variety of forms for use in the Westmoreland County Court of Common Pleas may be downloaded at this link.