Karen Detamore, former Executive Director of Friends of Farmworkers, died unexpectedly at her home on Tuesday, May 1, 2012. Karen's loss is mourned by the entire public interest law community of Pennsylvania and our thoughts and prayers are with her family.

The Internal Revenue Service is accepting applications for the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) grant programs, which will allow some organizations to apply for annual funding for up to three years. Applications will be accepted only through Grants.gov

Electronic Medical Records Will Reduce Time for a Decision The Social Security Administration and the Department of Defense (DoD) are working together to improve access to disability benefits for the nation’s Wounded Warriors, service members, veterans, and their dependents. A new nationwide project

The April edition of the Senior Health News, a free bi-monthly newsletter, is now available from the Pennsylvania Health Law Project. For prior editions or more information about the Pennsylvania Health Law Project, please see their website at www.phlp.org.

The U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee approved funding legislation on April 26, 2012 that provides $328 million for the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) in Fiscal Year 2013, a cut of $20 million from current levels.

In 2011, Pennsylvania low-income wage earners received over seven and one-half million dollars in tax refunds by filing their state and federal tax returns through a free online program - PA I-CAN!® E-File - pioneered in the state by Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services (SPLAS). PA I-CAN!® E

The Social Security Board of Trustees has released its annual report on the financial health of the Social Security Trust Funds. The combined assets of the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) Trust Funds will be exhausted in 2033, three years sooner than projected last

With weather forecasts calling for significant accumulations of heavy wet snow in western Pennsylvania, the state Public Utility Commission (PUC) reminded customers of what to do when the electricity goes out. When electricity is lost, priority restoration is given to locations that can restore