Welcome to the September edition of our newsletter, Policy Matters. This month, we bring you information on the Chief Judge’s Hearing, a resource for those navigating administrative hearings, updates from the Partnership Conference, important information on an upcoming webinar for student loan borrowers, as well as news on our upcoming fundraiser! More below!
President and CEO, Kristin Brown, testifies at the 2026 Chief Judge’s Hearing on Civil Legal ServicesHearing on the Dire Need for Civil Legal Services
Empire Justice Center President and CEO, Kristin Brown, testified in her capacity as President of the New York Legal Services Coalition this month at the 2026 Chief Judge’s 2026 Hearing on Civil Legal Services. Speaking on behalf of the 56 nonprofit member organizations, Kristin requested a minimum $25m increase in addition to a 3% cost-of-living adjustment, emphasizing that the funds, and the flexibility of their use, are a continued investment in closing the “justice gap” in New York State. Even a modest erosion of this investment, however, would directly destabilize programs and staff at a precarious moment in the legal landscape for the vast majority of clients served through these funds. Providers rely on flexible funding, particularly when it is necessary to absorb sudden federal procurement shocks that threaten to destabilize the civil legal service safety net.
You can watch Kristin’s testimony or read the full written testimony on our website. New York Legal Services Coalition’s press release is available on their website.
Please read An Open Letter to Philanthropy – Acacia Center for Justice, to which we have signed on to, as well.
Vital Fair Hearing Resource for New Yorkers
Fair Hearing Help NY, a free, virtual legal resource for New Yorkers who are representing themselves at an administrative hearing with the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), has a new look! Empire Justice Center, The Legal Aid Society, New York Legal Assistance Group, and Legal Services NYC, in partnership with Columbia Law School’s Lawyering in the Digital Age Clinic, have re-launched the newly improved Fair Hearing Help NY, which will be hosted on Empire Justice Center’s website. In addition to being easier to find and search, the site features simpler navigation, a Q&A section to guide users through the process, and accessibility features such as easier readability.
Fair Hearing Help NY initially launched in June 2023 to assist those whose public benefits, such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), are reduced, discontinued, or their application is denied, making the request for a Fair Hearing more accessible and less intimidating. The website helps New Yorkers who represent themselves in a Fair Hearing navigate the complex process of administrative legal hearings and offers information to allow them to more confidently participate in their Fair Hearings and exercise their due process rights.
See our press release for more information.
Empire Justice Center team at the 2026 Partnership Conference in Albany, NY
2026 Partnership Conference
Empire Justice Center, along with colleagues from across the state, attended the Partnership Conference hosted by the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) in September. The theme of this year’s Conference was “Strength and Resilience: Advancing Justice in Challenging Times,” featuring 25 programs in critical areas of law affecting low-income and vulnerable populations. The two-day event brings together thought leaders, industry experts, and innovators to explore the latest trends and strategies in partnership development.
Supervising Staff Attorney, Haley Kulakowski, of our Public Benefits team served as a panelist, presenting on the Benefits Track session, “Fair Hearings in Practice: Tools, Strategies, and Due Process.” The program brought together Medicaid and public benefits advocates to examine recent developments in telephonic fair hearings and their impact on due process rights.
Public Benefits Supervising Senior Attorney, Elizabeth Woods, also served as a panelist, and presented on the Health Track session, “Work Requirements in SNAP and Medicaid: Federal Changes, New York Impact, Advocacy Tools.” The session examined the significant implications of H.R. 1 – the major federal law signed in 2025. The law introduced unprecedented changes to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), including introducing the establishment of a federal Medicaid work requirement and a substantial expansion of SNAP work requirements.
The presentation explored how these policy changes could affect millions of New Yorkers by increasing the risk of losing access to essential health care and nutrition assistance. Participants gained an overview of the expanded SNAP work requirements and the new Medicaid “community engagement requirements,” as well as practical guidance on determining who is subject to the requirements, identifying available exemptions, and understanding compliance obligations.
The session also provided advocacy tools and strategies to help practitioners support clients and communities in maintaining access to critical benefits. In addition, it addressed anticipated implementation challenges and barriers associated with the new work requirements and discussed approaches for mitigating their impact on eligible individuals and families.
With a focus on building sustainable partnerships, the Partnership Conference serves as a platform for sharing insights, best practices, and success stories that can inspire future initiatives. Workshops at the Conference provide in-depth knowledge and advocacy strategies on matters such as personal care services in public benefits, the Disability Advocacy Program, immigration, and domestic violence.
President and CEO speaks at the New York Legal Services Coalition Taskforce Meeting at the 2026 Partnership Conference
New York Legal Services Coalition Members Meet on Strategy and Celebrate Wins
The New York Legal Services Coalition (NYLSC) Taskforce meeting at the 2026 NYSBA Partnership Conference drew 52 registered participants. NYLSC speakers including Kristin Brown, President and CEO of Empire Justice Center and President of the NYLSC, and America Rivera, Policy Manager, provided an overview of NYLSC and its achievements, which includes recognition on City & State’s 2026 Top Trade Associations list, growth in membership, legislative wins, partnership with external public relations firm Anat Gerstein, and creation of a Public Relations and Media subcommittee. Lobbyist Vinny Rossetti of Rossetti Government Relations discussed Albany’s political landscape while the Legislative Advocacy Committee co-chairs, Sal Curran, Executive Director of Volunteer Lawyers Project of Central New York, and Jessie Rose, Executive Director of Build Up Justice NYC, reviewed upcoming legislative priorities, emphasizing contract reform advocacy and a soon to be published student loan white paper. Be sure to keep an eye out for additional information on the white paper when it becomes available!
The two contracting bills, S.9761 (Mayer) / A.10741 (Paulin) and S.9855 (Mayer) / A.11179 (Paulin), which passed both houses of the legislature this session, await Governor Hochul’s signature to become law. Once signed, these bills will fix cash flow issues for nonprofits by improving the speed of reimbursement and addressing advance payment issues. Nonprofit and legal services organizations provide vital services that are undermined by delays and inconsistencies in state processes, putting nonprofits at risk.
You can also read the New York Legal Services Coalition statement. We continue to accept signatures on our sign on letter.
Fall Name Change and Informational Sessions
Join us alongside our partners this fall, offering one-on-one guidance through New York State’s legal name change process. Join us and SchoCo Pride in Cobleskill, NY on October 9 for assistance with the name change process. Registration is required.
On October 28, we partner with Legal Aid Society of Northeastern NY (LASNNY) at the Rotterdam Community Center. Registration is required.
We’re excited to partner with Center for Elder Law & Justice to provide a free training for Transgender, Gender Non-Conforming, and Non-Binary adults on how to make informed decisions on their lives, rights, and future. Topics include name changes, updates to identification documents, anti-discrimination laws, healthcare setting rights, and more!
The Buffalo informational will be November 3 at 6:30 PM at the Crane Library. No registration is required for the Buffalo event and it is free.
Critical Information for Student Debt Borrowers
On October 7, at 12 PM, Student Loan Paralegal, Jordan Daniels joins the Hispanic Federation for a free webinar, to cover options available for those who need to choose a student loan repayment plan that fits best. The webinar will include new borrowing limits, income-driven repayment forgiveness, and other major federal student loan changes under H.R.1. New federal student loan policies, which took effect July 1, 2026, created borrowing restrictions and limitations for future borrowers. Be sure to register to attend!
Celebration of Leadership
Join us on Thursday, November 19, 2026, for an evening of celebration, networking, cocktails, and hors d’oeuvres at the Renaissance Albany Hotel. Each year, Empire Justice Center brings together leaders, advocates, and partners from across New York State for an evening celebrating those who are expanding access to justice and creating meaningful change in their communities.
Our annual Celebration of Leadership is Empire Justice’s signature fundraising event, honoring champions whose work is helping ensure the law works for all New Yorkers. This year, we’re proud to recognize Legal Aid Society of Rochester CEO Carla Palumbo, Esq. (retired), Emily Whalen, Esq. of Brown Weinraub, and Bond, Schoeneck & King PLLC for their extraordinary leadership, advocacy, and commitment to access to justice throughout New York State.
Support our signature fundraising event by purchasing tickets, becoming an event sponsor, or making a donation in honor of our distinguished nominees! All proceeds provide critical unrestricted funding that helps sustain our work, respond to emerging needs, and advance access to justice for New Yorkers.
View our sponsorship packet for more information.
Thank You For Reading
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