News from PALawHelp.org
Free Program: How to Administer an Estate (Philadelphia) - Nov 5
Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts, in partnership with the Free Library of Philadelphia is offering a presentation entitled How to Administer an Estate on November 5, 2025 from 5:30 PM-6:30 PM Eastern at the Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103. The program will also be livestreamed online on Zoom.
Free Program: Landlord-Tenant Disputes (Philadelphia) - Oct 29
Going to court can be an overwhelming experience both for landlords and tenants. This hybrid presentation outlines the various duties and obligations expected of both landlords and tenants and how to seek recourse when these obligations are not met. It will cover how a case gets to court, courtroom etiquette, what happens in the courtroom, and the documentation you need to support your legal position.
Federal Employees Furloughed Due to the Government Shutdown May Be Eligible for Unemployment Compensation
Federal employees or contractors who worked in Pennsylvania and were furloughed due to the government shutdown may be eligible for unemployment compensation. UCHelp.org provides information on eligibility requirements, how to get benefits and what happens if you receive back pay after the shutdown.
Shapiro Administration Announces Expansion of Free Hotline for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
The PA Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Legal Line can be reached at 1-877-727-7529 and offers a variety of resources including help on custody proceedings, how to prepare for court and connecting older adults with caregiver support groups.
PECO Announces $10 Million Customer Relief Fund to Help Reduce Burden of Higher Energy Costs
PECO today joined Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis and community partners in announcing that $10 million in bill assistance will be made available to help income eligible customers manage the burden of rising summer energy costs. The PECO Customer Relief Fund, supported by Exelon, PECO’s parent company, will provide one-time grants of $500 for qualifying limited- and moderate-income customers.
Shapiro Administration Encourages SNAP Recipients in Susquehanna County Affected by Recent Severe Weather, Power Outages to Apply for Replacement Benefits
Residents of Susquehanna County who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) may be eligible for replacement benefits if their food was destroyed as a result of power outages caused by recent severe storms. In-person disaster relief assistance offered on Monday July 14 at the Lanesboro Community Center.
Shapiro Administration Launches New Security Feature Allowing SNAP Users to Digitally Lock EBT Cards and Prevent Public Benefits Theft
The Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Office of State Inspector General (OSIG) today launched a new security feature that allows Pennsylvanians who receive public benefits to lock their electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card when not in use to prevent those benefits from being stolen.
Shapiro Administration Launches Pilot Program Providing On-the-Spot Birth Certificates to Help Eligible Pennsylvanians Obtain Personal Documents Faster and Join the Workforce
The Pennsylvania Departments of Labor & Industry (L&I) and Health (DOH) announced a new initiative allowing Pennsylvanians to receive on-the-spot birth certificates at PA CareerLink® locations – helping more Pennsylvanians access the documents they need to enter the workforce, faster and more efficiently than before.
Shapiro Administration Reminds Pennsylvanians of REAL ID Enforcement Beginning on May 7
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is are encouraging Pennsylvanians to obtaining a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or ID card. to ensure they can fly domestically without disruptions and enter federal buildings and facilities after May 7.
Shapiro Administration Reminds SNAP Recipients to Change EBT Card PINs Ahead of Monthly Distribution to Prevent Theft of Benefits
To protect their benefits, SNAP recipients should change their PIN every month and ensure skimming devices are not attached when swiping their cards.
Social Security to Reinstate 100% Overpayment Recovery Rate
The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced it will increase the default overpayment withholding rate for Social Security beneficiaries to 100 percent of a person’s monthly benefit rather than the recent adjustment of just 10 percent.
Ready To Stay Launches New National Resource Hub to Protect Immigrant Communities, Support Organization
Ready to Stay, co-chaired by the National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA), the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC), and UnidosUS, is a national coalition of organizations increasing legal capacities and coordination efforts for large-scale community protection and rapid response efforts ahead of anticipated increased enforcement efforts.
Video: Pennsylvania Crime Victim's Legal Standing
This video from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency provides information about your rights and legal standing in the justice process as a survivor of crime.
Prepare Now for Winter Storms – PUC Shares #UtilitySafety Tips
With Pennsylvania bracing for the first significant winter storm of 2025 – bringing a mix of snow, ice, high winds, and unseasonably cold temperatures – the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) reminds residents to prepare for potential storm-related power outages and take steps to stay safe during severe weather.
Attorney General Henry Warns of Phishing Scammers who may Contact you about ‘Fraudulent’ Activity to Steal Personal Information
Attorney General Michelle Henry is alerting Pennsylvanians about a phishing scam involving contact with targets about claims of fraudulent activity on the target’s banking account in order to access personal data and information.