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 […]
Advocates: Court Decision Huge Victory For VA Uninsured
Friday, June 29th, 2012
By Dan Heyman, Public News Service Advocates of the Affordable Care Act are hailing the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold President Obama’s healthcare reform law, especially what it means for the state’s uninsured. Jill Hanken, staff attorney with the Virginia Poverty Law Center, notes there are more than a million Virginians without health insurance. The Supreme […]
Violence Against Women Act in Limbo – Lives Hang in the Balance?
Monday, June 11th, 2012
By Monique Coppola, Public News Service-VA Reauthorization of the federal Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) remains in limbo. The legislation has implications for the victims of rape, stalking and domestic violence in Virginia and around the nation. Originally enacted in 1994, the Senate passed a reauthorization last month (S. 1925) with expanded protections for Native […]
Funding Threatened for Domestic & Sexual Violence Protection
Tuesday, May 29th, 2012
Programs that provide legal assistance, shelter, counseling, and other support for victims of domestic and sexual abuse are in jeopardy throughout Virginia, as lawmakers in Washington battle over reauthorization of the federal Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Legal Aid, which is in the vanguard of protecting victims, is already in a fiscal crisis, due to […]
McDonnell Criticized for Veto of Virginia Abused-Child Schooling Bill
Thursday, May 24th, 2012
By David Sherfinski, The Washington Times Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell has found himself on the opposite side of advocacy groups spanning the political spectrum after vetoing a bill that would allow abused or neglected children living with a relative to enroll in the school district where the relative lives. The measure, backed by groups such as the Virginia Education Association, […]
VPLC Disappointed in Veto of SB 217
Wednesday, May 23rd, 2012
The Virginia Poverty Law Center and Voices for Virginia’s Children are deeply disappointed that Governor McDonnell has vetoed SB 217, a bill sponsored by Senator George Barker that would have provided countless Virginia children living in kinship care arrangements with the educational stability they need to endure a family crisis. Parents facing difficulties such as […]
Bank of America Starts Mortgage Reduction Effort
Tuesday, May 8th, 2012
By Natasha Singer, The New York Times Bank of America has started sending letters to thousands of homeowners in the United States, offering to forgive a portion of the principal balance on their mortgages by an average of $150,000 each. The reduction for qualifying homeowners could amount to monthly savings of up to 35 percent on mortgage payments, […]
VaLegalAid.org Launches with Upgraded Design, New Features
Wednesday, May 2nd, 2012
www.VaLegalAid.org, the free, statewide resource for those facing civil legal issues, relaunched today with a more user-friendly design and upgraded features that will make it easier than ever to find needed assistance. The site is part of the national LawHelp.org network of nonprofit legal information portals that empower individuals to help themselves. VaLegaAid.org is Virginia’s online […]
Report: $40 Million in Rebates Could Be on the Way to Virginians
Tuesday, May 1st, 2012
By Monique Coppola, Public News Service-VA The check could be in the mail by August 1 for some individuals and businesses in Virginia. According to an analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation, 17 health-insurance plans collected about $40 million more than they should have, and will now have to pay it back to consumers under the […]
Need Quick Cash? Avoid These 6 Traps
Monday, April 23rd, 2012
By Barbara Diggs, Fox Business Don’t Risk Your Car With Title Loans Like payday loans, car title loans are small, short-term loans that come with a triple-digit annual interest rate. But while payday loans are secured with a postdated check, title lenders hold the title of the borrower’s vehicle — and a copy of the keys — […]
Debt Collection Defenses Training on May 10
Friday, April 20th, 2012
What defense should you consider when a client is being sued for a debt? What if the plaintiff is a debt buyer? What about counterclaims and attorneys fees? Join us on May 10 at Housing Opportunities Made Equal in Richmond, VA for this debt collection defenses seminar and learn new and/or better ways to assist […]
Many Virginia Hospitals Offer Free & Discounted Health Services
Friday, April 20th, 2012
By Monique Coppola, Public News Service-VA Medical costs remain the nation’s No. 1 cause of bankruptcies, and for many of Virginia’s poorest people, health issues take a back burner to essentials such as food and shelter. However, an attorney with Virginia Poverty Law Center says more help is available than some people realize. Jill Hanken […]
Mortgage Settlement Relief Will Take Months
Friday, April 20th, 2012
Predatory scammers are hard at work, falsely claiming to have an inside track to getting help from the National Mortgage Settlement. They are working the phones and the Internet, trying to entice desperate people to pay money in exchange for mortgage relief. DON’T BE A VICTIM. The Virginia Poverty Law Center advises you to ignore […]
Violence Against Women Act Saving Lives & Money in VA
Friday, April 20th, 2012
More victims of sexual assault, stalking and dating violence are coming forward and receiving the help they need, statistics show, and the criminal-justice system now is better equipped to protect them and hold perpetrators accountable. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and groups in Virginia are highlighting the importance of the federal Violence Against Women […]
VPLC’s 2012 Legislative Review
Thursday, April 19th, 2012
With another General Assembly session behind us, the staff at the Virginia Poverty Law Center (VPLC) has had some time to reflect on what our advocacy work means and why it matters. Regardless of which political party holds a majority in the state legislature, and in spite of the often negative rhetoric that comes with […]
CashPoint Distributes Settlement Checks after AG Investigation
Monday, March 12th, 2012
By Gray Hall, WWBT NBC12 A settlement check may be coming your way. CashPoint, a car title lender, will refund nearly $600,000 to more than 800 Virginia customers. Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli alleges the company operated without a license for two months in 2010. In a letter sent to hundreds of Virginia’s CashPoint admits it made […]
Press Releases
Monday, March 12th, 2012
2016 Press Releases More Low-Income Children Across Virginia Benefiting from School Breakfast, Finds Report from from Virginia Hunger Solutions (3/07/16) 2015 Press Releases Press Release In Birthday Message to CFPB, Virginia Poverty Law Center and Senator Tim Kaine Call for Strong Action against Payday Lending Abuses (7/22/15) 2014 Press Releases New DoD Military Lending Act Rules Will […]
Media Coverage
Monday, March 12th, 2012
For media and interview requests, please send inquiries to: Jay Speer, Executive Director T (804) 782-9430 ext. 109 | F (804) 649-0974 | E jay@vplc.org The following attorneys are available to speak on specific areas of law: Consumer law, including payday and car title lending issues and foreclosure: Jay Speer, 804.782.9430 x 109, jay@vplc.org […]
Publications & Presentations
Monday, March 12th, 2012
Legislative Outcome Reviews 2017 Legislative Review (.pdf) 2016 Legislative Review (.pdf) 2012 Legislative Review (.pdf) 2011 Legislative Review (.pdf) Legislative Agenda 2017 Legislative Agenda 2015 VPLC Legislative Agenda (.pdf) 2013 VPLC Legislative Agenda (.pdf) 2012 VPLC Legislative Agenda (.pdf) 2011 VPLC Legislative Agenda (.pdf) Fact Sheets Virginia’s Early Lease Termination Law for Domestic and Sexual Violence […]
Events
Saturday, March 10th, 2012
Check back here often to stay up-to-date with VPLC and what we’re doing in our community. We’re always thinking of new ways to engage those around us and get you involved. See below for upcoming events and also a calendar of events to help give you the big picture of what’s going on here at […]
Volunteer
Friday, March 9th, 2012
From time to time, VPLC attorneys and staff rely on volunteers and interns for help with trainings and at specific times during the year (for example, during the General Assembly session from January to March). Please contact Dana Wiggins at for more information on volunteering or interning at VPLC.