Contact:

Front Desk Receptionist/Intake Worker

Services:

The front desk receptionists transfer calls to LARC for intake screening or to an appropriate GBLS advocate who will determine whether or not GBLS can assist. Intake hours by phone for problems that are not emergencies are Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; emergencies are directed to an advocate all day. If there is a very high volume of calls, you may be on hold for a period of time, but someone will eventually answer the call.

GBLS does not take criminal cases. It provides free legal advice and representation, depending on client need, to low-income individuals and families. GBLS also addresses systemic legal problems on behalf of its clients.

Major areas of work include:

Asian Outreach Unit: outreach and legal assistance to Asian immigrants in the areas of employment, family, housing, immigration, and welfare law; representation of client groups in community empowerment initiatives involving affordable housing, workers’ rights, and immigrant rights.

Children’s Disability Project: representation to children with disabilities wrongfully denied Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.

Consumer Rights: Unfair and deceptive consumer practices (particularly as related to home foreclosures) and bankruptcies.

CORI & Re-entry Project: Sealing, expungement, appeals of denials of CORI sealing petitions, juvenile record sealing, CORI barriers and discrimination related to jobs and other opportunities, including EEOC or other CORI law violations; and CORI systemic law reform initiatives.

Elder issues: housing, nursing home issues; Social Security; SSI; MassHealth and access to healthcare; elder abuse; Veterans’ benefits.

Employment: unemployment benefits claims, nonpayment of wages, minimum wage and overtime pay violations, tax controversies related to employment income or receipt of the earned income tax credit (including tax deficiencies, claims for refunds, and identity theft),and criminal record based employment problems.

Family law: representation in family law court matters for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault to address safety issues and family and economic stability.

Health & Disability: access to government disability benefits, healthcare, Medicare, public transportation, Social Security Disability Insurance, SSI, MassHealth, and other public health programs.

Housing: eviction defense, foreclosure prevention, preservation of affordable housing, and access to and preservation of shelter for the homeless.

Immigration: asylum claims for people fleeing political or gender-based persecution, obtaining legal immigrant status for battered women and minors.

Welfare: Obtaining and retaining TAFDC and EAEDC cash benefits, SNAP/Food Stamp benefits, childcare and education/training benefits, and issues related to any of these benefits.

GBLS also represents community groups and provides community legal education and legislative advocacy for its clients.

Service hours:

M - F: 9am - 5pm

Requirements / Restrictions:

Agency serves residents of Boston and 32 surrounding cities and towns, mostly within Route 128. Complete listing of geographic areas served is on web site. Income limitations (usually restricted to persons with incomes less than 125% of federal poverty guidelines) are applicable, with the exception of elderly clients and Medicare beneficiaries who are not subject to the income guidelines.

Languages:

Interpreters are available for non-English speakers.

Other locations:

Cambridge/Somerville Office
60 Gore St., Suite 203, Cambridge, MA 02141, 617-603-2700; TDD: 617-494-1757

Transportation:

Accessible by public transportation (Orange and Green subway lines, commuter rail, buses). Telephone the main number first for directions, or check website.

Get a Google map for this location.

MBTA service near this location.

(Categories for this entry: CORI, Legal)