About MLAC
The Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation (MLAC) was established by the Commonwealth in 1983 to ensure that low-income people with critical non-criminal legal problems would have access to legal information, advice and representation.
MLAC is the largest funding source for civil legal aid programs in Massachusetts.
Walk in My Shoes: A Day in the Life of a Black Woman Attorney
/in Blog, Program News - Archives, Program News - Current /by mlacBy Danielle Johnson, Staff Attorney at Greater Boston Legal Services If you approach the steps of the Edward Brooke Courthouse (named after the first African-American elected to the U.S. Senate since Reconstruction) around 8:45 A.M. on a Thursday morning—colloquially known as “Eviction Thursday” in Boston—there is a seemingly endless line of people, mostly in street […]
Know Your Rights: What Your Employer Must Do To Keep You Safe As You Return To Work
/in Blog, Program News - Archives, Program News - Current /by mlacAs Massachusetts begins to slowly reopen its economy, people who are not able to do their jobs remotely may be asked to return to work. This brings up a lot of questions around safety for businesses and workers alike, as not everyone may feel safe coming to the workplace… If you are in a job […]
Letter: Community Legal Aid committed to helping low-income during COVID-19 crisis
/in Blog, Program News - Archives, Program News - Current /by mlacLetter to the Editor of the Worcester Telegram: As the COVID-19 pandemic tears through Massachusetts, some of our most vulnerable neighbors face an increased risk not only of health complications, but also of inequities stemming from the economic fallout. As an organization providing essential services, Community Legal Aid remains open and committed to helping low-income […]
For Most Food Stamp Users, Online Shopping Isn’t an Option
/in Blog, Program News - Archives, Program News - Current /by mlacWhether they need more yeast for stress baking or the comfort of Kraft macaroni and cheese, Americans sequestered by social distancing are shopping for groceries online. But for many low-income households using food stamps, that can happen only in person. About 38 million people receive benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, but how they […]
Virus Sparks Calls To Pump The Breaks On Debt Suits
/in Blog, Program News - Archives, Program News - Current /by mlacAs the COVID-19 pandemic continues to envelop the country, some consumer advocates are calling for greater protections for debtors until the crisis abates, arguing that the economic crisis is negatively impacting the ability of Americans to not only pay their debts but also fight collection actions in court. While the federal government has announced initiatives […]
Low-income and laid-off veterans struggle to access state benefits created for them
/in Blog, Program News - Archives, Program News - Current /by mlacWith job losses mounting during the pandemic, thousands of Massachusetts veterans are turning to a $72 million state program that is intended to provide them with emergency cash assistance for basic needs such as housing, food, fuel, and medical care. But as more disabled and low-income veterans look to the state Department of Veterans’ Services […]
Gov. Baker approves moratorium on evictions and foreclosures
/in Blog, Program News - Archives, Program News - Current /by mlacA new law will protect Massachusetts residents from evictions and foreclosures during the COVID-19 crisis. On April 20, Gov. Charlie Baker signed H 4647 into law, placing a moratorium on evictions and residential foreclosures. The moratorium prevents landlords from sending notices of eviction and filing new eviction cases, stops courts from scheduling non-emergency hearings and […]
New Legal Action To Free Massachusetts Prisoners Due To COVID-19
/in Blog, Program News - Archives, Program News - Current /by mlacMassachusetts Prisoners rights advocates are pursuing two new legal avenues to reduce the number of people incarcerated in Massachusetts during the COVID-19 outbreak. Advocates say the state is not responding to the pandemic quickly enough and is endangering the health of those in custody. Prisoners Legal Services of Massachusetts has filed a class action lawsuit […]