Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, today announced that the agency is submitting legislation to Congress that would prohibit states, without the Commissioner’s prior authorization, from reducing the number of state personnel who make disability determinations for Social Security or

The Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) approved the creation of an independent task force to review and make recommendations to the Board regarding LSC’s fiscal oversight responsibilities and how LSC conducts fiscal oversight of its grantees on July 21, 2010. The Board also

President Obama has called on Congress to extend critical unemployment insurance to millions of Americans looking for a job. The U.S. Senate on Tuesday July 20 will vote on extending unemployment benefits for Americans still struggling to find work and overcome the lingering effects of the recession

Millions of Americans who can't find work are holding their breaths, waiting to see if Congress will extend their unemployment benefits or cut them loose. From Public News Service Press Play (>) for Audio Report Dr. Ira Wolfe, who is a work force expert and president of Success Performance Solutions

This story from the Centre Daily Times discusses the rising caseload facing MidPenn Legal Services despite the loss of in excess of $1 million in funding in the last year. Brent Frank and Jim Kearney of MidPenn review the increased demand for legal aid, particularly in consumer and housing cases

This article in the Williamsport Sun-Gazette discusses a new mortgage foreclosure diversionary conference program that will be offered by the Lycoming County Court of Common Pleas, working with the county Law Association, North Penn Legal Services and representatives from STEP Housing Counseling

The National Legal Aid and Defender Association (NLADA) reports that Congress agreed to authorize funding for foreclosure legal assistance as part of the comprehensive Wall Street financial reform package that achieved final passage in the Senate on July 15. Section 9115 of the legislation

This story in the Philadelphia Inquirer highlights a new "loan-modification scam alert" program that is being launched by the City of Philadelphia. The program is designed to help homeowners identify the signs of rescue scams, obtain foreclosure-prevention help from reliable groups, and report