- Equal Justice Under Law
December 2022 Consumer Debt Update
The Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) started new program year on October 1, 2022
December 7, 2022Giving Tuesday 2022: Thank you to Jacqueline Harounian, Esq. and Wisselman Harounian Family Law for their generous Giving Tuesday donation!
December 12, 2022Did you know more than 50,000 New Yorkers have been sued for medical debt over the past five years! Governor Hochul signed legislation on November 23, 2022 that protects New York patients facing steep medical bills that can lead to wage garnishment or liens against their property. Previously, hospitals or health care providers had been able to impose and enforce liens on a patient’s primary residence to satisfy a judgment in a medical debt lawsuit, leading to housing instability and devastating financial consequences for vulnerable New Yorkers. Effective immediately, health care providers who have judgments against an individual for medical debt are no longer allowed to place a lien on an individual’s primary residence or garnish an individual’s wages to collect on medical debt.
NSLS’s Consumer Debt Legal Assistance Project provides legal assistance to persons who are experiencing consumer debt problems, especially in the matters of medical and credit card debt. Services may include litigation defense and representation, phone advice, and/or referral for further services, including bankruptcy where appropriate. Suffolk residents west of 112 can call 631-232-2400 and east of 112 can call 631-369-1112. Nassau residents can call 516-292-8100.