Apply for Supplemental Security Income: A Message from the Social Security Administration

If you have limited income and resources (things you own), Supplemental Security Income (SSI) may be able to help. SSI financing comes from general revenues, not Social Security taxes.

SSI makes monthly payments to people who are age 65 or older or who are blind or disabled. They don’t count some of your income and some of your resources when they decide whether you’re eligible for SSI. Your house and your car, for example, usually don’t count as resources.

To apply for SSI, you can begin the process and — in some cases — complete most or all of your application online by visiting their website at www.socialsecurity.gov/applyforbenefits.  

You can also call them toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 to set up a telephone appointment with a representative from your local Social Security office. To contact your local Social Security office directly, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/locator, select Locate An Office By Zip, enter your five digit ZIP Code, and select Locate.  Your local Social Security office’s local toll-free number will be displayed.  

For more information about SSI, please review:

Understanding the Benefits (EN-05-10024)

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for Non-Citizens (EN-05-11051)

For further inquiries, please contact:
Everett M. Lo
Social Security Administration – Regional Public Affairs Office
26 Federal Plaza, Room 40-120, New York, NY  10278
[email protected]

Volunteer for the NYLAG Consumer Credit Volunteer Lawyer for the Day (VLFD) Program

The Consumer Credit Volunteer Lawyer for the Day (VLFD) program is an innovative court program, which provides limited-scope, day-only representation to unrepresented litigants in consumer debt cases. 

This is an ideal opportunity for a law student, recent law graduate or admitted attorney to gain litigation skills with the close guidance of an on-site supervising attorney. Volunteers have the unparalleled opportunity to represent clients in court, negotiate with opposing counsel, and argue motions before a judge. 

Currently, there are thousands of debt collection cases in New York City every year.  About 98% of defendants in these cases appear unrepresented. This often leads to intimidation through the legal system and abuses in the collections process. Volunteers provide critical assistance to individuals who otherwise may be unable to defend themselves.

The Consumer Credit Volunteer Lawyer for a Day program (VLFD) seeks several volunteers to represent clients on-site in the Bronx, Queens, or Staten Island Civil Courts. 

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will: 

  • Be a current law student, a recent law graduate (who took the first available bar exam post law school), or an admitted New York attorney 
  • Be able to communicate effectively 
  • Have strong attention to detail
  • Have a positive attitude 
  • Have strong desire to be involved in litigation and client advocacy
  • Have a professional demeanor, even under pressure
  • Be punctual
  • Be able to handle a fast-paced environment
  • Be able to take direction and feedback constructively
  • Be able to adapt to a changing court environment and handle unexpected situations

More about NYLAG: The New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) provides free civil legal services to low-income New Yorkers.  NYLAG clients include immigrants, seniors, the homebound, families facing foreclosure, renters facing eviction, low-income consumers, those in need of government assistance, children in need of special education, domestic violence survivors, persons with disabilities, patients with chronic illness or disease, low-wage workers, low-income members of the LGBT community, Holocaust survivors, and others in need.

To Apply: E-mail resume and cover letter indicating your interest in consumer credit issues, social justice, and/or civil litigation to [email protected] with “Consumer VLFD” in the subject line.

NAPABA | Serve on the 2019-20 Board of Governors!

Accepting Nominations for Officer Candidates and Applications for At-Large Board Members for NAPABA’s 2019-20 Bar Year

The NAPABA Board of Governors consists of nine Officers who are elected by the membership, ten Regional Governors who are chosen by the NAPABA Regions, and four At-Large Board Members who are appointed by the Board of Governors. Now through July 8 at 5 p.m. EDT, the NAPABA Nominating & Elections Committee will be accepting nominations for members who want to stand for election as Officers and applications from members who want to be considered for At-Large Board Member positions.

Nominate Yourself or Another Member for an Officer Position

Click here for more information or to submit a nomination by July 8 for the following Officer positions:

  • President-Elect 
  • Vice President for Finance and Development
  • Vice President for Membership
  • Vice President for Programs and Operations
  • Vice President for Communications
  • Treasurer
  • Secretary

Apply to be an At-Large Board Member

Review the complete guidelines and apply here by July 8 to be considered for an At-Large Board Member position.

National Asian Pacific American Bar Association | 1612 K St. NW, Suite 510 | Washington, DC 20006 | www.napaba.org

2018 NAPABA Leadership Advancement Program

There are only 13 days remaining to apply for the inaugural Leadership Advancement Program. This is a year-long program to develop mid-career Asian Pacific American attorneys’ leadership skills, while providing an opportunity to foster genuine relationships with peers within the profession, especially between in-house counsel (IHC) and law firm attorneys. This year, the program will be held in San Francisco, in partnership with the Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Bay Area (AABA Bay Area). The program will commence with a weekend of teambuilding and leadership training in San Francisco, from Friday, Sept. 21, through midday Sunday, Sept. 23. The first day will consist of leadership assessments and team building. The second day will be led by Ascend, the largest, non-profit Pan-Asian membership organization for business professionals in North America, which will include training on how to obtain senior leadership positions in corporations and law firms and how to transcend the unique hurdles facing Asian Pacific Americans. The last half-day is devoted to launching team-based community projects that will allow participants to forge meaningful and mutually beneficial relationships.

Applications will be accepted through July 31.

Proposed Schedule

  • Friday, Sept. 21 | Leadership Assessment and Team Building: The program will consist of leadership exercises, assessments, and team-building.
  • Saturday, Sept. 22 | Ascend Leadership Training: Ascend will lead a program focused on corporations and law firms to help attorneys achieve the highest level of leadership and success in those organizations.
  • Sunday, Sept. 23 | Community Project (Half-day): Participants will design a community project that will encourage team-building and leadership development throughout the year.

Enrollment
Enrollment in the program is limited to 24 participants, with an even balance between IHC and law firm attorneys. All NAPABA members are encouraged to apply, although the selection committee will focus on the following criteria this year:

  • Law firm candidates: this year’s program will prefer candidates with between six and 10 years of experience
  • In-house candidates: preference for a minimum of three to four years of IHC experience, with six to 10 years of overall practice experience

NAPABA and AABA Bay Area will provide the trainers, program materials, venue, and in-program meals. If accepted, attendees will be expected to commit $100 as a program fee and provide their own travel to San Francisco and accommodations, if required.

ILF 2016 Civic Fellowship Application Deadline Extended until February 15!

ILF 2016 Civic Fellowship Application Deadline Extended until February 15!

The International Leadership Foundation (ILF), a Combined Federal Campaign-approved non-profit (#24372), is pleased to announce that the application for the 2016 Civic Fellowship Program has been extended until February 15, 2016. Every year, ILF’s selection committee identifies approximately 30 outstanding Asian Pacific American (APA) college students to spend eight to ten weeks interning at a federal agency in Washington D.C. during the summer.

Students accepted into the program are known as Civic Fellows and they will attend weekly leadership seminars on Capitol Hill, learn networking skills and gain valuable, firsthand working knowledge of the American system of government. Fellows are responsible for their own travel, housing and living expenses. Upon completion of the program, Fellows will receive a stipend of 2,000 dollars.

“ILF has a stellar record of advocating for increased civic engagement and public service from the APA community,” said Chiling Tong, ILF’s Chief Executive Officer. “We need a greater representation of our community in government, and ILF’s goal is to train a new generation of successful leaders in their chosen fields and raise our community’s profile as engaged, American citizens who deserve to have our voices heard.”

Based on the interests and majors of selected Civic Fellowship candidates, ILF will work to place them with over a dozen federal agencies, as well as limited placements in Congressional offices and the White House. “The ILF works hard to foster bright young APA youth who wish to experience the inner workings behind this great country’s national government, and provides effective training classes to enhance leadership skills,” said Norman Mineta, former U.S. Secretary of Transportation. Secretary Mineta is also the honorary chairman of ILF, while the Honorable Elaine Chao serves as the honorary chairwoman.

Undergraduate students of APA heritage who are United States citizens and possess a GPA of 3.0 and above are eligible for this fellowship. Applications must be submitted by February 15, 2016. To learn more about or to submit an application, please visit our website at www.ilfnational.org.

Testimonials

“My ILF experience allowed me to explore and develop a passion for public policy. It helped me build my leadership skills, think introspectively, and meet other incredible, like-minded students from across the country. Though I am not studying political science, working in DC has inspired me to take policy classes and learn more about the public sector.”
Emily Zhen, Intern at U.S. Department of the Treasury, University of Pennsylvania

“My experience has left me with a stronger passion for public service. I feel better equipped to work within the larger institutional framework because its mandate closely aligns with my personal objectives…From the orientation to the final conference and gala, I was able to connect with and learn from amazing Asian Pacific American (APA) leaders and partners in the effort to increase APA civic and political engagement.”

Karim Farishta, Intern at U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Office of Inspector General (OIG), George Washington University

“I was able to have a once in a lifetime experience interning in Washington D.C. While interning, I was tasked with numerous projects– one of which included creating a food safety initiative. Overall, my time in D.C., was filled with endless opportunities that helped me grow both professionally and personally.”

Amy Muramoto, Intern at Food Security and Inspection Service (FSIS) at U.S. Department of Agriculture, University of Southern California

“I’m grateful to ILF for connecting me to the FAA. By working on several long term projects, I’ve grown both in patience and in my understanding of how important following protocol can be in a government environment.”

Samuel Kim, Intern at Federal Aviation Administration at U.S. Department of Transportation, Yale University

“I have always struggled with delegating tasks to others in leadership roles because I would think that I can accomplish the task more quickly and efficiently myself. Seeing how my supervisor was able to delegate tasks to others and to foster a sense of teamwork so effectively—which all contributed to the successful preparation of the event–was an inspiration for me to become a better team leader.”

Vy Tuong Luu, Intern at White House Initiative on Asian American Pacific Islanders, Stanford University

———————————————

This information has been provided by:

International Leadership Foundation
Fellowship Programs
1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW #700
Washington DC 20004
202-204-3019
www.ILFnational.org

AAIFF16 Call For Interns

WHAT WILL YOU BE DOING THIS SUMMER?

Are you looking for that Summer in The City experience? Asian CineVision (ACV) is seeking spring and summer interns to help organize the 39th Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF) in New York City. AAIFF16 is scheduled for July 21 – 30, 2016.

Do you want to be part of a vibrant APA media arts activist community and contribute in organizing the first and longest running APIA film festival of its kind in the U.S? Yes, you do. Here are the available positions and qualifications:

Program Coordinator & Print Traffic Coordinator
Facilitate the process of all film-related programming, including tracking submissions and prints. Serve as liaison for accredited filmmakers, industry, and guests of the film festival.

Marketing/Communications Associate
AAIFF16 public relations, both off and online promotion. Background in film marketing not necessary but who doesn’t love movies? Social media platform interoperability with excellent writing skills is a must.

Design/Web Associates
Help manage and regularly update the ACV AND Festival websites. Work closely with Festival leadership on various levels of production. BIG PLUSES: graphic/UX design background, knowledge of Adobe Suite, HTML.

Production Associate
Help to coordinate and execute digital production of Festival programs and special events. Coordinate logistics with sites, vendors, and sponsors. Assist with day-to-day office operations.

Tech Production Associate
Assist with tech support ranging from digitizing, DVD/blu-ray disc burning, on-line up and downloading, some editing. Experience with Final Cut Pro or other non-linear editing platform and/or Photoshop a BIG plus but will train on job.

Outreach Coordinator
Responsible for maintaining and establishing relationships with various community organizations, universities, schools, and clubs for special/promotional events.

Hospitality Coordinator
Responsible for the accreditation of all filmmakers, industry and guests of film festival. Arrange all hotel and flight accommodations for filmmakers/guests as deemed necessary. Edit and update the filmmaker/industry packet.

Special Events Coordinator
Research, plan and organize festival receptions, and after parties.

Volunteer Coordinators
Recruit, train, manage volunteer staff throughout AAIFF16.

ACV Archival Intern
Help digitize and organize ACV’s original Asian American media arts collection. No experience necessary. Will train on job.

Qualifications:
– Students with a genuine interest in the arts, community building, humanities, and/or film
– Detail-oriented with a keen sense of organization
– Ability to work independently AND as part of a team
– Familiarity with Mac platforms, social networking applications, video streaming applications, and Microsoft Office suite
– Able to commit 15-20 hours a week
– BIG PLUSES: Knowledge of film/video formats and handling; fluency in Asian languages; familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite, WordPress platform, and proficiency in HTML/CSS/PHP.

Internships are unpaid but come with travel reimbursement and university credit (if applicable). To apply, email your resume and kick-ass cover letter to Haisong Li at [email protected]. In your cover letter, please state your availability, earliest start date, and for which position you are applying. For more information about AAIFF, go to the ACV website here or contact [email protected]. Wait, there’s more:

VOLUNTEER FOR AAIFF16
Round out your Summer in The City experience: become an AAIFF16 volunteer. Send an e-mail expressing your interest in volunteering for AAIFF16 to: [email protected], and be sure to leave your name, daytime phone number, e-mail address, availability and areas of interest. The volunteer coordinators will contact you as soon as possible.

NAPABA Seeks At-Large Board Member Candidates – Oct. 2 Deadline

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The NAPABA Board of Governors will appoint two At-Large Board Members to each serve a two-year term beginning with the 2015-2016 bar year. The NAPABA Nominating and Elections Committee invites all members in good standing to apply to be At-Large Board Members by submitting a statement of interest and completing a short demographic survey before 6 p.m. EDT on Friday, Oct. 2, 2015.

For additional information, click here to review the complete At-Large Board Members Guidelines and to apply online.

Questions may be directed to [email protected].

National Asian Pacific American Bar Association | 1612 K St. NW, Suite 1400 | Washington, D.C. 20006 | www.napaba.org

Prospective Partners Program

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The 2015 NAPABA Convention will mark the sixth year that the Prospective Partners Program (PPP) will be taking place during the convention. The principal objective of PPP is to help increase the number of Asian and Pacific American partners at major law firms through introduction, mentorship, and relationship building. The PPP seeks to identify senior associates or of counsel from major law firms who are approaching consideration for partnership, provide them with mentorship, and connect them with senior in-house counsel to whom they will have an opportunity to introduce themselves and the services of their firms during sessions to be held at the convention.

Senior associates who might be interested in the Program are encouraged to apply for this unique opportunity. Priority will be given to candidates based in the New Orleans metropolitan area. Information about the program is available on the NAPABA website. Applications should be returned no later than Sept. 15, 2015. The program sessions will take place during the NAPABA Convention in New Orleans, La., from Nov. 5-8. Specific dates and times will be announced as the convention approaches.