Philadelphia Legal Assistance

06/22/2026

As part of Philadelphia Legal Assistance's 30th anniversary celebration, we're highlighting the people and partnerships that make our work possible.

In our latest interview, MLCP Attorney Nicky Ripley reflects on providing legal services within a healthcare setting and working alongside providers to address the legal issues that impact health and well-being.

“We get to build and maintain relationships with the communities we serve. That is personally rewarding, but it also helps us provide more informed and effective services in the future.”

Read Nicky's reflections and learn how medical-legal partnerships help clients navigate complex challenges, build stability, and improve their quality of life:

This year, Philadelphia Legal Assistance is celebrating 30 years of advancing justice for low-income Philadelphians. As part of that celebration, we are sharing interviews, stories, and reflections that highlight the people and partnerships behind our work. We recently spoke with Nicky Ripley, who j...

06/19/2026

PLA's offices and hotlines will be closed on Friday, June 19th, in observance of Juneteenth.

We join our community in recognizing this important day commemorating the end of slavery in the United States.

We will return to normal hours of operation on Monday, June 22nd.

06/16/2026

It's Tax Tip Tuesday! If you claimed a refund on your tax return this year but didn’t include a bank account to receive the refund by direct deposit, you probably got or will get a CP53E notice from the IRS.

The IRS is sending out these notices because the President told the IRS that he wants them to stop mailing out refunds by paper check, to the extent possible.

You do still have the option to get a paper check!

If you don’t have an account that can receive direct deposits, you can request a paper check either through your online IRS account (IRS.gov/account) or by calling the regular IRS number at 1-800-829-1040. Please note that you cannot request a paper check by calling the phone number on the CP53E.

Also, if you simply don’t respond to the CP53E notice, after 30 days the IRS will mail you a paper refund check to the address you used on your tax return.

If you have a bank account or other electronic financial account that can received direct deposits, the quickest way to get your refund is by going into your online IRS account (IRS.gov/account) and updating your profile with your account information (Profile>Banking>Information>Add Bank Account). For security reasons, the IRS will not accept your bank account information over the phone.

To access your online IRS account you will need to have or create an account with ID.me.

What if you did give the IRS your bank account information, but you still haven’t received your refund? Contact us to see if we can help! Call us Monday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at 215-981-3800 or apply for free assistance online at philalegal.org/apply

06/05/2026

Yesterday, Philadelphia City Council honored PLA's Leo Elliot with a resolution recognizing his outstanding contributions to the Eviction Diversion Program and his leadership in developing the new Eviction Diversion Program application portal. Susan Layne and Nancy Giacomini of CORA Good Shepherd were also recognized for their dedication and service. Thank you to Philadelphia's Division of Housing and Community Development, for lifting up Leo's efforts. And special thanks to Councilmember Kendra Brooks, who sponsored the resolution.

We are so proud of Leo, and the entire Eviction Diversion Program team, whose dedication helps keep Philadelphians in their homes every day. Congratulations to Leo and all those recognized for their commitment to this important work.

06/02/2026

It's Tax Tip Tuesday!

Back in 2020 and 2021, the IRS issued stimulus payments because of the COVID pandemic. The payments were $1,800 for 2020 and $1,400 for 2021, plus additional amounts for dependents. For people who did not receive these payments automatically, a 2020 and/or 2021 tax return had to be filed to claim them.

There was also a major increase to the Child Tax Credit (CTC) in 2021, which allowed even parents with no earned income to receive between $3,000 and $3,600 per child. In addition, people were allowed to use their 2019 earnings to calculate the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for 2020 and 2021 and the CTC for 2020.

Under the normal tax filing rules, the deadline to file a 2020 tax return was April 15, 2024, and the deadline to file a 2021 tax return was April 15, 2025.

There have been recent court decisions and changes to the law that appear to give people until July 10, 2026, to file 2020 and 2021 tax returns. It is not certain that this deadline applies in every case, because these developments happened very recently and the IRS has not yet said whether it agrees.

Still, why not try?

If you did not receive all of your COVID stimulus payments, or if you had children and never filed 2020 or 2021 tax returns, this may be the very last opportunity you will ever have to claim this money.

To take advantage of it, you will need to file your 2020 and 2021 tax returns by July 10, 2026.

At this point, those returns must be mailed to the IRS. You will also need proof that they were mailed by July 10. For that reason, you should send them by Certified Mail through the Post Office so that you receive both a tracking number and proof of timely mailing. Before you mail your returns, make copies for your records, and be sure to keep your tracking slips and receipts.

Questions? Need help?

Don't wait. Contact us to see whether we can help—for free!

Call 215-981-3800 Monday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., or apply online at philalegal.org/apply.

06/02/2026

Every year, Philadelphians are forced to navigate the Family Court system alone. That’s why we created the Family Court Help Center, to offer guidance during custody filings and provide access to critical community resources. But, we need more funding in order to continue serving those in need. is fighting for us in the city budget process, but we need your support too. Share and comment below to let the city know that we’re fighting for families!

05/20/2026

Attention! PLA’s offices and hotlines will be closed on Monday, May 25, in observance of the Memorial Day holiday. We will return to normal hours of operation on Tuesday, May 26.

05/19/2026

It's Tax Tip Tuesday! If you are still waiting for your 2025, 2024, or older federal or state tax refund, there might be a problem causing the delay.

It can be hard to get through to the IRS or PA Department of Revenue over the phone. Even when you do get through to someone, they don’t always know the answer to your problem.

This is just the type of situation that the Taxpayer Support Clinic helps with. We can’t make magic, and oftentimes it still takes a long time for the government to issue a refund, but we can figure out what's causing the delay and what options there are to fix it.

If you are still trying to get your refund and feel like you aren’t making any progress, contact us to see if we can help! Visit www.philalegal.org/apply or call our intake at 215-981-3800 between 9:30 am and 12 pm Monday through Thursday.

05/14/2026

PLA cerrará la línea de admisión de la Unidad de Compensación por Desempleo lunes, mayo 18, 2026 y la reabrirá martes, mayo 26, 2026. Mientras tanto, se puede completar nuestro formulario de admisión en línea a philalegal.org/apply (se puede traducir la página al español). Nos comunicarnos con usted en respecto a su solicitud en línea por la semana del mayo 26.

Si usted tiene un reclamo de compensación por desempleo y se le ha asignado una fecha para una audiencia para junio 1 o antes, tiene que conseguir una continuación si busca representación de nuestra oficina (PLA). Debe enviarle un pedido escrito para una continuación a la oficina de árbitros. También, por favor, complete el formulario de admisión en línea a philalegal.org/apply. Nuestros empleados se comunicaran con usted a partir del 26 de mayo.

Si usted tiene un reclamo activo de compensación por desempleo y no se le ha asignado una fecha de una audiencia, por favor, complete el formulario de admisión en línea a philalegal.org/apply. Nuestros empleados se comunicaran con usted a partir del 26 de mayo.

Nuestras horas regulares de entrevistas iniciales se reanudarán el martes, 26 de mayo. La línea de admisión está abierta de lunes a jueves desde 9:30am a 12 (mediodía) y se puede alcanzarla por 215-981-3800.

05/14/2026

PLA will be closing unemployment compensation (UC) intake beginning Monday, May 18, 2026 and it will reopen on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. In the meantime, you may complete an online application at philalegal.org/apply. We will contact you regarding your online application during the week of May 26th.

If you have an unemployment compensation claim and have been recently assigned a hearing date scheduled on or before June 1st, you will need to get a continuance if you are seeking representation from PLA. You should send a continuance request in writing to the Referee's office. Also, please complete an online intake at philalegal.org/apply. Our intake staff will contact you on or after May 26th.

If you have an unemployment compensation claim and have not been assigned a hearing date, please complete an online intake at philalegal.org/apply. Our intake staff will contact you on or after May 26th.

Our regular UC intake hours will resume on Tuesday, May 26th. UC intake is open Monday through Thursday from 9:30am through 12noon and can be reached at 215-981-3800.