Richmond, VA — As the U.S. Senate considers a budget proposal that includes historic cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Virginia Poverty Law Center (VPLC) warns that Virginia families—especially in rural and low-income communities—could lose essential food assistance and face overwhelming new barriers to access. SNAP is more than food—it’s a critical part […]

Amicus brief emphasizes critical role of federal courts in protecting rights of youth in state custody  RICHMOND, VA — Virginia Poverty Law Center (VPLC) joins the National Center for Youth Law (NCYL) and more than 30 civil rights organizations in urging the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit to preserve the federal judiciary’s […]

May 16, 2025 Richmond, VA – A new budget proposal in the U.S. House of Representatives would slash Medicaid funding and make it harder for millions of low-income Americans — including hundreds of thousands of Virginians — to keep their health insurance. The plan would cut at least $715 billion from Medicaid over the next […]

Virginia Poverty Law Center (VPLC) has joined a lawsuit against Acting Director Russell Vought to challenge the unlawful dismantling of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The lawsuit, filed February 13, 2025, also includes the National Treasury Employees Union, National Consumer Law Center, NAACP, and the CFPB Employee Association. The next day (2.14.2025), at the […]

February 5, 2025 Richmond, VA – Medicaid and CHIP play a critical role in providing health coverage to residents of small towns and rural communities in Virginia, particularly children, far exceeding its reach in metropolitan areas, according to an in-depth analysis by the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families (CCF). In response to these […]

As working families continue to struggle through a perfect storm of high inflation, high credit card interest rates, an ever-growing cascade of junk fees, and record-breaking consumer debt, a new report finds that Virginia is leaving these families high and dry. The National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) report, No Fresh Start 2024: Will States Protect […]

September 9, 2024 Richmond, VA – The Supplemental Nutrition Access Program (SNAP) is a crucial lifeline for food insecure Virginians. SNAP supplements grocery budgets for families in need of food help and injects money into local economies: every dollar spent with SNAP benefits generates $1.54 in economic activity. A new report by the National Council […]

As heat waves roll through Virginia, a new law to protect residents from unsafe utility shut-offs during periods of extreme weather goes into effect on July 1. Sen. Lashrecse Aird (D-Petersburg) and Del. Irene Shin (D-Herndon) introduced a pair of bills to the General Assembly in January. The bills gained bipartisan support and were signed […]

Richmond, VA June 21, 2024 – Today, the Supreme Court of the United States delivered a ruling in the case of USA vs Rahimi, upholding the constitutionality of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(8), which prohibits individuals subject to domestic-violence restraining orders from possessing firearms. This case originated in Texas, highlighting the state’s pivotal role in shaping […]

Thousands of residential tenants across the Commonwealth live in dangerously unhealthy conditions, battling mold, pest infestations, broken plumbing, and failing heating and cooling systems. When these tenants turn to their local office of housing or court system for help, they are all too often turned away by judges and other officials who want to help […]

U.S. Supreme Court delivers good news for consumers and fair business practices, but expect more industry pressure on CFPB The Supreme Court today upheld the constitutionality of the funding method Congress chose for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, allowing a vital agency to continue its work in holding Wall Street and predatory lenders to account, […]

Richmond, Va, March 19, 2024 – Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has awarded Virginia Poverty Law Center $1 million through her charitable organization, Yield Giving. The grant will help VPLC expand its legal resources and online tools to assist thousands of additional Virginians by providing one-of-a-kind, multi-format, self-help materials. Today’s announcement follows a competitive, nationwide call for […]

With need for access to justice at an all-time high and the Rule of Law in the news every day, it is gratifying to be among 32 deserving nonprofits across the Commonwealth whose work addresses these areas. The work with Virginia Law Center completely aligns with the Virginia Law Foundation mission to promote the Rule […]

June 9, 1940 – August 4, 2023 The staff and friends of Virginia Poverty Law Center mourn the loss of John Horejsi, an unsurpassed advocate for impoverished Virginians. John was the founder of, the fire within, and the guiding light of Social Action Linking Together (SALT). SALT is a network of Virginians embracing the principle […]

Flannery O’Rourke has joined VPLC as a Law & Policy Analyst. She will support legislative efforts within our Center for Healthy Communities in the areas of unemployment benefits and social security. She recently received her Juris Doctor degree from University of Richmond. Miranda Huffer is the newest member of the Development team. After a successful […]

The Virginia Poverty Law Center, Consumer Litigation Associates and Kelly Guzzo have filed federal and state lawsuits on behalf of tenants of the Seaview Apartments in Newport News. The lawsuits name Seaview Apartments LLC and Ben Weinstein and his New Jersey-based company Blue Rise Group as defendants. Fifty-eight tenants are prosecuting their claims under the […]

New Team Members Help Break Down Barriers to Justice  RICHMOND, VA – The Virginia Poverty Law Center (VPLC) welcomes two new Outreach Coordinators, a new LA VIDA Program Paralegal, a new Communications Director and, a new Office and Finance Manager to the team. Fresh off the heels of landmark wins against the Virginia Employment Commission […]

After three years of extensive litigation, the settlement will provide relief to approximately 555,000 consumers who were subject to illegal practices by internet payday lenders. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 12, 2022   Richmond, VA – The federal court in Richmond today gave preliminary approval of a class action settlement that will provide $489 million of relief to […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 14, 2022 Virginia Poverty Law Center and Legal Aid Justice Center state that Governor Youngkin’s vetoes of Del. Clark’s HB573 and Sen. Deeds’ SB297 have derailed critical, popular, and thoughtfully crafted bipartisan consumer debt reforms for thousands upon thousands of Virginians. Richmond, VA – Outstanding bills for medical treatment are one […]