About North Penn Legal Services
North Penn Legal Services (NPLS) is a non-profit civil legal aid organization that has played and continues to play a vital role in the Bethlehem, PA area. Consisting of over 50 staff members, as well as volunteers and local attorneys, NPLS fights for the legal rights of low-income individuals in the Bethlehem area. It also educates people locally about the law and more. It helps people to understand the law and their rights under the law. NPLS was formed in 1978 and it currently serves close to 7,000 people each year. The group was started out of a concern for the need for legal services in the community. It started out with some grants and then over time, grew through more grants and donations and the ability to provide pro bono services in the local community . It has also worked with local and national organizations such as the Pennsylvania Bar Foundation and United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley. The classes and clinics offered by NPLS empower people and guide them to become more self-sufficient so they can represent themselves in court when it comes to many issues they are facing. Not every person who requires help is eligible to receive it from NPLS, but those with greater needs are prioritized first and foremost. Those who do not receive assistance from NPLS are afforded other resources or are referred to another program in the area that can assist them with their legal needs.
Legal Assistance Provided
North Penn Legal Services provides a wide range of legal aid services to those in need in Bethlehem, PA. The primary areas of service are focused on family law, housing, consumer protection, public benefits and family law. The guidance and assistance is provided by staff attorneys, paralegals and volunteers, which help thousands of individuals each year to gain some degree of comfort and confidence in their legal situations.
In family law, North Penn Legal Services helps with many issues, such as divorce, help getting custody, obtaining child support, spousal support, protection from abuse, asset protection and managing marital debt. Housing issues are also covered, such as evictions, formal defense against loss of rental assistance, domestic violence matters, foreclosure prevention and mortgage modification. Their Supreme Court Access to Justice teams even help with forming LLCs.
Consumer protection law is also a major part of the service provided by North Penn Legal Services, assisting citizens with credit card debt resolution, auto repossession, protections from wrongful collections and debt lawsuits. Public benefit guidance involves providing advice and help on public benefit matters, SSI, SNAP, housing benefits and Medicaid eligibility.
Who Can Use Their Services
To be eligible to receive legal services from North Penn Legal Services an applicant must follow our internal Income Guidelines. All income must be verified by providing 1-2 of the following items depending on the type of income being verified (for public assistance income we do not require any verification as we obtain this information from the state). It is important to keep in mind that documents showing monthly amounts of income are preferable to annual amounts. If an intake specialist at North Penn Legal Services believes that the applicant provided insufficient or inaccurate information about their income, the intake specialist may ask the applicant to provide additional documentation to support their claim of eligibility for Northern Penn Legal Services assistance. If the applicant is not the source of income then we require all of the below for anyone listed on the application: 10% of gross income for each additional household member. If anyone under the current applicant’s roof receives SSI, TANF, or Public assistance, then we must verify all income for the entire household. If anyone under the current applicant’s roof is not receiving any of these forms of assistance then we may be able to proceed with reviewing the file. Social Security Awards Letter (see income calculator for exact items needed): Social Security budget letter (for EBT cases only) SSI Budget Letter Food Stamps Budget letter PA DHS Budget letter Tax Statement including W-2 319-249 form (CSBG) Wage stub (4 weekly, 2 bi-weekly or 1 monthly) Bank Stamp on deposit slip Most recent check stubs for child support Most recent benefit check
North Penn Legal Services has tried to create a list of acceptable documents that generally meet the document-based income verification system that we use to determine eligibility. We realize that this is not a complete list of all types of acceptable documentation that could be used to verify income through documents. Avail yourself of the entire gamut of documents, lists of which are referenced above and listed below. If you do not have such documentation available and the applicant asserts that they have no income or have difficulty getting the documentation listed above you can use the OIO income calculator. It will allow you to input the income and generate the scanable "221" ticket automatically. The 221 ticket will guide you to list all yearly and monthly income figures, including a $0 amount if necessary. If your case is approved you may need to inform customers that they may need to provide the documents at a later date to justify the 221 ticket.
How to Obtain Legal Help
To apply for assistance at North Penn Legal Services, individuals must go through an application process to determine their eligibility for the types of services the organization provides. The application for legal assistance from North Penn Legal Services can be either submitted in person or via phone.
To apply by phone, individuals can call 1-888-570-9877 to receive instructions on how to begin the application process. When applying in person, individuals who qualify for legal aid based on income, and live in the service area, can apply at the Bethlehem office Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. It is important to note that the in-person intake process does not take place on the first Friday of each month. Those who believe they may qualify for legal aid based on income levels should bring their income documentation, including pay stubs, welfare documentation, SSI, VA, pension, or social security information, along with other personal identification.
When you arrive at the Bethlehem location for an in-person intake, you will be asked to fill out an information sheet with personal information, as well as a brief survey. A short interview will then be conducted to determine housing status, if you typically pay your rent on time, whether you are being harassed by creditors, and if you have been served with any documents. This process usually takes about 20 minutes.
The outcome of your application will be communicated to you within five days of in-person intake or during the initial phone call. It is important to remember that North Penn Legal Services does not provide immediate representation for emergencies, so individuals may be required to pursue other legal representation until the application process is complete.
After intake, all cases are ranked based on need, with clients receiving a call to discuss their eligibility for the legal aid services provided by North Penn Legal Services. If you do not qualify for legal aid based on income or other factors, the staff will provide you with a list of resources you can turn to for additional support. The staff also does their best to provide a referral if a case does not qualify for legal aid.
Local Impact and Success Stories
The impact of North Penn Legal Services (NPLS) on the Bethlehem community has been widely praised, with numerous clients expressing their gratitude for the assistance they received. From housing issues to family law matters, the dedicated staff at NPLS has been a lifeline for many vulnerable residents of Bethlehem. Cynthia, a single mother of two young children, reached out to NPLS after facing eviction from her apartment due to expired rental assistance. Unable to afford the full rent, they were subject to being removed. However, NPLS attorneys intervened and worked with her landlord to keep her family housed while obtaining a new rental assistance package. "They helped me keep a roof over my family’s head when I didn’t know what I was going to do" she noted in an interview on the organization’s website. Another recent success story comes from Jonathan, an older adult who sought NPLS’s aid after being physically cast out of his home by a relative. In addition to obtaining a new place to live , NPLS assisted in helping him retain the belongings he was wrongfully evicted from. "I don’t know what would’ve happened to me if they hadn’t been there. They saved my life" stated Mr. Gibbons in a news conference about the impact NPLS had on his circumstance. These stories reflect a commitment to social justice and deeply rooted community understanding that enables the organization to connect with clients at a fundamental level. Central to North Penn Legal Services’ community impact is the collaborative partnerships that have been built. Working alongside the Bethlehem Housing Authority, the Coalition of Appropriate Transportation, GEARS and the Boys and Girls Club, NPLS has managed to significantly improve the lives of residents. Whether through direct legal representation or through addressing the root causes of poverty; North Penn Legal Services in Bethlehem, PA, continues to work diligently in its mission to bring equity to those who need it the most. Their extensive legal work, advocacy, and outreach have undoubtedly made a positive and lasting impact on the Bethlehem community and its residents.
Ways to Volunteer or Donate
North Penn Legal Services is always looking for individuals who would like to donate their services and give back to the community. Individuals with a law degree or paralegal expertise are particularly welcomed, even in a volunteer capacity. For those who are interested in volunteering, North Penn Legal Services seeks office support which includes clerical assistance, filing, shredding, and other vital duties. There are also occasional opportunities to volunteer at North Penn Legal Services through legal clinics. It is a great way for people to volunteer their time, get to know the community of Bethlehem, and help those in need of legal assistance.
North Penn Legal Services is also an organization that helps those in need fund their cases. While you do not have to be an attorney or paralegal to make a tax-deductable financial contribution, it certainly does help. There are many ways in which you can give. There’s the option of becoming a donor and donating online or you can send a donation by mail to 45 E. Elizabeth Ave. Suite 101, Bethlehem, PA 18018. There is also the opportunity to donate by phone at (610) 232-3759. By giving to North Penn Legal Services, you may be making the difference in someone’s life.
Contact Details and Business Hours
It is important that anyone who needs help from North Penn Legal Services for a legal matter have the most up to date contact details, as well as their operating hours, to get in touch with them as needed. The Bethlehem office can be contacted at (800) 828-1120 or (610) 317-8722. When people appreciate the need to contact North Penn Legal Services , they should keep the following office hours in mind:
Monday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Tuesday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Wednesday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Thursday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed