GLSP Changes Lives!

 Ms. Cramer was working part-time on weekends at
 a clothing store when she found a full-time, better-
 paying day job in her career field as a patient
 account representative.  She planned to continue
 the part-time work to supplement her income.  
 Shortly thereafter she was called in by the clothing
 store manager who told her she needed to quit or
 be fired if she was not available during weekday
 hours, even though they had never scheduled her
 for weekday hours.  Ms. Cramer opted to quit to
 keep the better-paying-job, but that job ended only
 three weeks later.

 When Ms. Cramer applied for unemployment
 benefits, she was disqualified for her "voluntary"
 quit.  She sought Georgia Legal Services for help.  
 A GLSP attorney convinced the hearing examiner that disqualification was improper under Department of Labor (DOL) rules that apply to a quit for a better-paying-job.  Ms. Cramer had no income when she came to Georgia Legal Services for help, and $1,000 per month in unemployment benefits after.

"The problems in our economy have created an economic disaster for low-income Georgians, who have the fewest resources to weather the storm.   Helping clients achieve economic security for the short-term, to enable them to sustain or regain hope for future opportunities is a high priority.   If our legal work is not helping clients move toward hope and opportunity, we are not doing our jobs."
                                                                - Phyllis J. Holmen, Executive Director

Read more about the Georgia Legal Services Program in the 2008 Annual Report by clicking here.