Read about our recent work below.

LAAW and Safety Net for All Coalition Call for More Support for Undocumented Workers through a Temporary Income Replacement Program in the LA Times

Los Angeles Times - May 20, 2020
LAAW's Carole Vigne discusses administrative and technical struggles in California's recent program to provide a $500 one-time payment to undocumented immigrants in California. Legal Aid at Work, along with 100+ other organizations that make up the Safety Net for All Coalition, have led the way in pushing for a temporary income replacement program for undocumented workers. Fourteen legislators have signed on to support the inclusion of this initiative in the June budget, which would provide far greater support than offered by the current one-time payment program.
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Kim Ouillette Discusses the New CA Undocumented Workers Fund, and Highlights the Need for Additional Support

The Sacramento Bee - May 19, 2020
Kim Ouillette of the Wage Protection Program calls for additional funds for undocumented workers. Experts estimate that $125 million in relief funds announced in April are only enough to assist only 150,000 of the estimated 270,000 undocumented people who have lost work since the outbreak. She advocates for a supplemental program that would give $400 per week to undocumented individuals who have lost work during the crisis.
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Advocates Praise Governor Newsom’s Continued Dedication to Equitable Paid Family Leave in the May Revision of Budget

- May 14, 2020

Sacramento, CA (May 14, 2020). Legal Aid at Work and the California Work & Family Coalition applaud Governor Newsom’s ongoing commitment to protecting the jobs and economic stability of Californians who need leave to care for themselves and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. The May Revision of Governor Newsom’s budget announced today … Continue reading “Advocates Praise Governor Newsom’s Continued Dedication to Equitable Paid Family Leave in the May Revision of Budget”

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Nelson (seated) with family and LAAW attorney Elizabeth Kristen
Nelson (seated) with family and LAAW attorney Elizabeth Kristen

Remembering Nelson Henry

May 12, 2020

  Nelson Henry’s son Dean contacted me out of the blue one day after hearing about one of my clients, Helen James, on the Today Show.  Helen, a woman in her 90s, decided to challenge a bad discharge she received from the Air Force because of being a lesbian.  Dean was touched by the story … Continue reading “Remembering Nelson Henry”

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The U.S. Women’s Soccer Gender Equity Battle Mirrors the Struggle of Our Nation’s Girls

May 8, 2020

The players get to games through second-class travel, are denied equal training and medical support, use more dangerous, inferior facilities, and are under-promoted compared to their male peers, among a range of inequities. Sounds like the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team? Indeed, but this is also the daily plight of millions of girls across the … Continue reading “The U.S. Women’s Soccer Gender Equity Battle Mirrors the Struggle of Our Nation’s Girls”

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Carole Vigne Answers Common Questions About Unemployment Insurance from The New York Times

The New York Times - May 7, 2020
LAAW's Carole Vigne, director of the Wage Protection Program, answers a series of questions from the New York Times about the Employment Development Department's ability to disburse unemployment funds, how someone can check the status of an unemployment claim, Pandemic Unemployment Insurance, and much more.
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Rachael Langston Talks to MarketWatch about Remote Work for People with Disabilities

MarketWatch - May 5, 2020
Staff Attorney Rachael Langston speaks to MarketWatch about the availability of remote work for people with disabilities.
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Jenna Gerry Talks about “Why It’s Hard to File for Unemployment Right Now” with KQED

KQED - April 30, 2020
LAAW's Jenna Gerry, an attorney in the Work & Family program, talks about the difficulties filing for unemployment during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Carole Vigne discusses how “California’s Unemployment Agency Struggles to Meet Demand” on KQED’s Forum

KQED - April 30, 2020
Carole Vigne discusses California's Employment Development Program (EDD), and its difficulties coping with unprecedented demand for Unemployment Insurance benefits during the COVID-19 crisis on KQED's "Forum."
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