House of Representatives passes Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
Friday, March 1st, 2013
S. 47, the bipartisan Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), passed the House on February 28, 2013, and is now on its way to the President. Eighty-seven Republicans crossed party lines to support an inclusive bill, and it passed by a vote of 286-138. The reauthorization bill enhances responses to sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking […]
Laws Protect Against Predatory Lenders
Friday, February 15th, 2013
By Craig Carper, WCVE News A coalition of consumer protection advocates says laws regulating the payday lending industry are working to shield customers from excessive interest rates. Listen to the full story Aired: February 15, 2013 More articles on payday lending: Group Thanks Lawmakers for Curbing Payday Lending By Kathy Adams, The Virginian-Pilot Published: February […]
VPLC Urges Senate to Pass VAWA and Lay Groundwork for House to Pass Senate Version of VAWA
Tuesday, February 5th, 2013
Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Michael Crapo (R-ID) reintroduced bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine have joined a coalition of bi-partisan Senators to co-sponsor the VAWA reauthorization bill (S.47) and take action to ensure VAWA’s swift passage. The U.S. Senate voted by a wide margin, […]
VPLC Supports the 2013 SAFE Lending Act
Monday, February 4th, 2013
Many online lenders think they are immune to state laws – The Stopping Abuse and Fraud in Electronic Lending Act of 2013 (SAFE Lending Act) aims to change that. The Virginia Poverty Law Center supports the legislation to combat internet payday lenders from skirting Virginia law. Read VPLC’s press release on this issue. The SAFE Lending […]
Medicaid Expansion-We Still Need Your Help!
Monday, January 28th, 2013
Martha Harding cares for four grandchildren, who are on Medicaid. She works in a minimum-wage administrative job. “I don’t have insurance, and I worry about what would happen to my grandchildren if I get sick or hurt and can’t work,” she says. “Hard-working people like me, age 55 to 64, have a difficult time because […]
Welfare bills progress in the Virginia Senate
Friday, January 18th, 2013
By Kathy Adams, The Virginian-Pilot Efforts to expand welfare eligibility, drug test some welfare recipients and limit where their benefits may be used are progressing in the Virginia Senate. The Senate Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services this morning approved the measures, including a reworked version of a proposal to require drug testing for welfare […]
Group: Medicaid Expansion = 30,000 Jobs + Billions to VA Economy
Monday, January 14th, 2013
By Monique Coppola, Public News Service- VA Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell said in his State of the Commonwealth Address this week that he will not support the Medicaid expansion in Virginia, which is part of the federal health care reform law. The governor’s new budget reflects this decision. Jill Hanken, an attorney with the Virginia […]
2013 Legislative Session
Thursday, January 10th, 2013
During the 2013 legislative session, VPLC will work to preserve and enhance opportunities for low-income Virginians to obtain health care, public assistance and safe and decent affordable housing. We will also work to protect their rights to be free from predatory consumer practices and financial exploitation and safe from domestic and sexual violence. Above all, […]
The New Loan Sharks
Monday, December 17th, 2012
By John Sandman, AARP Magazine Mary Love wants you to know: You don’t have to be poor to be a victim of payday loans. Love, 67, is a divorced LaGrange, Kentucky, resident and a minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA). When she got her first payday loan, in 2003, she wasn’t destitute; she was working […]
On Your Side Alert: Automatic Electronic Debits
Thursday, December 6th, 2012
By Gray Hall, NBC 12 In this age of technology, it’s likely you have a bill or two that’s taken out of our account electronically. For some it’s quick and convenient, but consumer advocates warn it’s not for everyone. Paying bills is just a fact of life. Some like the old fashion way, by mail, […]
Health-care Act Bringing Exchanges Into Effect
Thursday, November 15th, 2012
By Amy Jeter, The Virginian-Pilot Imagine if buying health insurance was kind of like reserving a hotel room. You log on to a website and answer questions about your age, the number of people in your family, your address. You answer more questions about your income, whether you want to keep your doctor, your preferred […]
Senate Poison Pill Could Allow more Mortgage Crises
Wednesday, November 14th, 2012
By James W. Speer and Deborah Goldberg, Richmond Times-Dispatch Op-Ed What happens when banks make mortgage loans that borrowers cannot afford to repay? The borrowers end up in foreclosure. This is what happened to far too many borrowers in Richmond in recent years, as lenders chasing profits put aside the basic principles of safe, sound […]
Community Conversation on Health Care Implementation in Virginia
Wednesday, October 24th, 2012
Confused by all the talk of health care reform? Heard of the Affordable Care Act, but wondering what it will really mean for your community and the Commonwealth? Join the Richmond chapter of the Virginia Interfaith Center for an community conversation about these very issues! Community Conversation on Health Care Implementation in Virginia Tuesday, November […]
46,600 Virginians to Receive Foreclosure Fraud Settlement Checks
Tuesday, September 25th, 2012
By Kelly Avellino, NBC 12 If you lost your home through foreclosure, start checking your mailbox. Some 46,600 Virginians are eligible to receive a piece of a $25 billion settlement against five major mortgage companies, accused of abusing foreclosure practices. The Virginia Attorney General’s Office started mailing out claim forms Monday. Eligible candidates will receive at least […]
Thank you for your Support During the Amazing Raise
Tuesday, September 4th, 2012
Because of you, we raised $6,400 during this year’s Amazing Raise! Thank you very much for your support! Your generous donation goes a long way in helping us advocate for lower-income Virginians!
Virginia Becomes Hub for Risky Car Title Loans
Friday, August 24th, 2012
By Frederick Kunkle, The Washington Post When Brenda Ann Covington needed money a few months ago, she had only one big item left to pawn: her Chevy truck. Covington used the 2005 Silverado pickup as collateral to borrow money from one of the growing number of Virginia businesses that lend cash against a person’s car. […]
12 Investigates: Homeowners Missing Out on Mortgage Settlement Money
Tuesday, August 14th, 2012
By Rachel DePompa, NBC 12 Millions of dollars meant to help distressed homeowners, may never reach the intended target. The funds are Virginia’s share of a $25 billion settlement by five of the nation’s largest loan services that admitted to illegally abusive foreclosure practices and even fraud. Virginia’s portion was $66.5 million, awarded in one-time lump […]
Refusing Expansion Would be a Costly Mistake for Virginia
Tuesday, July 17th, 2012
The Virginia Poverty Law Center has joined with other advocacy groups to support the Medicaid expansion that is part of the Affordable Care Act. “The Medicaid expansion could provide coverage to about 425,000 very low-income Virginians — nearly half of the one million uninsured in this state,” said VPLC health law attorney Jill Hanken. “We […]
Food Assistance Schedule Will Change in September and October
Tuesday, July 10th, 2012
Virginians who depend on SNAP benefits (formerly known as food stamps) to buy food will have a change coming in the fall. The change will cause a temporary delay in benefits for some recipients and will require a community response to keep families fed. Instead of everyone getting their benefit on the first day of […]
New Va. Law: Prenatal Care for Some Legal Immigrants Covered
Monday, July 9th, 2012
By Monique Coppola, Public News Service-VA Pregnant, low-income legal immigrants and children under the age of 19 are now eligible for health care through Medicaid and FAMIS (Family Access to Medical Insurance Security), under a new Virginia law that went into effect this week. Virginia Poverty Law Center staff attorney Jill Hanken says approximately 1,000 […]
New Data Shows Car Title Loans Big Business in Va.
Monday, July 9th, 2012
By Michael Felberbaum, Associated Press Virginia car title lenders doled out nearly 128,500 loans worth more than $125 million in 2011, according to data collected by the State Corporation Commission for the first full year under state regulation. Car title lenders were unregulated in Virginia until October 2010, when a new law took effect that […]