A series of 13 trainings for legal, social and health services, and community advocates who assist low and moderate-income individuals and families.

MCLE and the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI) are collaborating to make annual basic public benefits advocacy training more accessible to the many public and private sector individuals and lawyers who assist Massachusetts residents in qualifying for and receiving public benefits. Detailed materials are distributed at each training.

Fees
$27.50 - Legal Services Attorney
$27.50 - Nonlawyer Advocates
$95.00 - All Others

See https://www.mcle.org/main/MLRI for details and to register.

This training covers the broad range of topics that arise when low-income households are trying to initiate or protect their utility service, as well as pay their non-utility energy bills (oil, propane). Topics will include: how to start service and protect service from termination, how to restore terminated service, how to get on the low-income discount rate, payment plans and arrearage management programs, funding sources that help pay utility bills, helping victims of domestic violence and crimes, and advocating for clients at the Department of Public Utilities.

Training materials include our widely used book, Utilities Advocacy for Low-income Households in Massachusetts. All materials will be available on the NCLC website. This training is designed for anyone working in the field and helping low-income clients with their utility problems. This includes social workers, housing search workers, elder advocates, immigration advocates, domestic violence program staff, community action program staff, and lawyers.

Faculty:
Jennifer Bosco, Esq., Staff Attorney, National Consumer Law Center Inc (NCLC), Boston
Charles Harak, Esq., National Consumer Law Center Inc (NCLC), Boston
and others TBA