New York Office > <b>Our Projects<b>

New York Appleseed works to ensure that consumers are treated fairly and have the information they need to build and protect their financial assets. Scroll down for details on our groundbreaking Volunteer Lawyer for the Day Program, which helps consumer debt defendants protect themselves from unfair litigation practices by plaintiffs' attorneys.

ALL WORK & NO PAY: Removing Barriers to the Largest Anti-Poverty Program for Working New Yorkers

Without a doubt, the economic crisis has hit New York’s working underclass hardest. Yet those who toil in cash or self-employed industries - including babysitters, home cleaners and street vendors - face significant obstacles in obtaining NYS state earned income tax credits, despite eligibility for the program. With The Financial Clinic, Morrison & Foerster and White & Case New York Appleseed is advocating for fair access to the EIC.

Advocacy Briefing >>

DUE PROCESS AND CONSUMER DEBT: Eliminating Barriers to Consumer Credit Cases

Burdened by continual unemployment and an ailing economy, more and more consumers are facing debt litigation in New York courts, and few have the knowledge or means to protect themselves from unfair judgments or settlements. Nearly 300,000 consumer debt cases were filed in New York City in 2008, with more than 98 percent of litigants going unrepresented, leaving them unaware of their legal rights and options. New York Appleseed is working with Jones Day, Shearman & Sterling and Arnold & Porter to analyze and implement court reforms related to consumer-debt litigation burdens.

Released in March 2010, the above report identifies and proposes solutions to the many problems with consumer debt litigation: default judgments, “sewer service,” undeliverable summons, and above all, lack of representation for low-income defendants.

Executive Summary >> Appendices to the Report >> Event Photos >>

UNDERSTANDING PREPAID CARD PARTNERSHIPS: A Guide for Nonprofit Organizations

This guide helps nonprofits - particularly those concerned with financial access and literacy in low-income and immigrant communities - understand the risks and benefits of forming prepaid card partnerships with private companies. In addition to safety and accessibility, prepaid cards may also offer a valuable inroad to mainstream financial services for the approximately 84 million unbanked or underbanked people in the United States.