Benefit Funds trustees expand access to pre-paid legal for thousands of workers

August 27, 2020 8:07 PM

On August 25, 2020, HTC President Rich Maroko convened a special meeting of the trustees of the Benefit Funds. President Maroko proposed a temporary change to the Funds that will expand access to Pre-Paid Legal for thousands of workers covered by the IWA and Division A contracts who have been laid off due to the coronavirus crisis.

Eligible workers can get legal assistance through Pre-Paid Legal for matters including landlord-tenant disputes, divorce, child support claims, real estate sales and purchases, bankruptcy, credit and consumer protection issues, wills and estate planning, immigration issues, and more.

Normally, workers lose access to Pre-Paid Legal 90 days after becoming unemployed. The trustees approved a temporary change that gives workers who were laid off due to the current crisis continued access to Pre-Paid Legal, despite most being laid off for an extended period of time. This benefit will be in place for as long as the Pre-Paid Legal Fund can support the additional expense.

“With tens of thousands of our members out of work since March and the end of the $600 federal unemployment boost, many of the workers we represent are falling on hard times. We want to make sure that they have access to low-cost or free legal services when they need it most,” explained President Maroko. “I’m thankful to the trustees of the Funds for approving this temporary change and expanding access in the tough months ahead.”

If you need assistance, you can call Pre-Paid Legal at (212) 586-6400, ext. 4258, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.