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Meeting Basic Needs

NCLEJ works to ensure that government policies and practices assure that needy families and individuals receive the critical cash assistance, Food Stamps, and Medicaid for which they are eligible and which they so desperately need to preserve family unity and promote the well-being of children. When government agencies fall short of their legal obligations - for example, by discouraging eligible people from applying for benefits, failing to provide timely assistance, or by prematurely rolling out a faulty computer system that denies subsistence benefits to thousands of eligible families, the Center has used effective court challenges to redress the harm and hold public officials accountable.

We welcome the opportunity to work with advocates on issues arising in their states. Feel free to contact us.

Highlights of NCLEJ Advocacy:

NCLEJ Sues Nassau County NY For Delaying Food Stamps, Medicaid, and Cash Public Assistance to Hundreds Each Month (April 2010)

Permanent Injunction Barring Food Stamp, Medicaid, and Cash Public Assistance Application Delays Granted in Maryland(December 2009)

Steuben County, NY, Agrees to Speed Provision of Food Stamps, Medicaid, and Cash Public Assistance to those Hard Hit by Recession (November 2009)

Indiana Agrees to Court Order Speeding Provision of Food Stamp Benefits (October 2009)

Rhode Island to Speed Food Stamp Processng Under Court-Approved Settlement (October 2009)

NCLEJ and Empire Justice Center Challenge Unlawful Delays in Processing Emergency Assistance Applications in Long Island, New York (September 2009)

NCLEJ and Texas Colleagues File Federal Lawsuit Challenging Texas Food Stamp Application Processing Delays (July 2009)

NCLEJ and Empire Justice Center Achieve Settlement Agreement Ending Lengthy Delays in Processing of Food Stamp and Medicaid Applications in Long Island, New York (June 2009)

NCLEJ and Colleagues Achieve Settlement in Colorado Requiring Prompt Processing of Benefits Applications (January 2008)

Center Challenges Pervasive Benefit Delays in Upstate New York (2006)

Center and Colleagues Stop New York City from Unlawfully Preventing Access to Benefits (2005)

Center Wins Favorable Settlement in Arizona Food Stamp Application Delay Case (2005)