The Rights of the Poor: The Authoritative ACLU Guide to Poor People's Rights (ACLU Handbook) - Softcover

Hershkoff, Assistant Professor Helen; Loffredo, Associate Professor Stephen

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0809321173 ISBN 13: 9780809321179

Publisher: Southern Illinois University Press, 1997

Synopsis

Using a simple question-and-answer format, Helen Hershkoff and Stephen Loffredo provide a comprehensive and up-to-date account of the rights of the poor. They examine federal and state programs providing income support and medical services as well as federal programs providing food assistance and federally subsidized housing programs. They also discuss access to justice, rights in public places, and voting rights.

Hershkoff and Loffredo point out that given the present conservative political climate, it is now more important than ever for poor people to know their rights under law. To that end, they explain how poor people can use the law to obtain services necessary for basic living: income support, food assistance, health care, housing, and education. The eligibility requirements for all programs for the poor are complex and changeable. The Welfare Reform Act of August 1996 further complicates the rules and makes this ACLU guide even more essential.

Written for poor people and their advocates, as well as for anyone interested in the current status of the "War on Poverty," this book also describes how poor people can use the law to participate more fully in political and community life.

About this title

About the Author

Helen Hershkoff is an assistant professor of law at the New York University School of Law. She is the former associate director of the ACLU and a member of the board of directors at the Urban Justice Center in New York City and the Food Research and Action Center in Washington, D.C.

Stephen Loffredo is an associate professor of law at the City University of New York Law School. He served as executive director of Main Street Legal Services, CUNY Law School, and is pro bono counsel and a member of the board of directors at the Urban Justice Center in New York City.

Edition details

• Publisher: Southern Illinois University Press
• Publication date: 1997
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0809321173
• ISBN 13: 9780809321179
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 432