Free Range Law

DACA is Here to Stay! Here’s the Ruling, Explained.

By Rachel Puryear, Attorney at Law; with input from my friend Chester Ruiz – Career Advocate for Immigrants’ Rights, and Real Estate Extraordinaire Finally, the United States has had a couple pieces of much-needed good news come down this week, both from the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS). On Thursday, the SCOTUS ruled…

Black Lives Matter. Anyone Can Fight Racism, and Everyone Should.

By Rachel Puryear, Attorney at Law In the form of protests, much of the world mourns the racist murder by a police officer of an *unarmed* African-American man. George Floyd, 46, died after a Minneapolis police officer suffocated Floyd by kneeling on his neck, while Floyd lay handcuffed on the ground. Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor,…

Finally, A Bit of Relief for Undocumented Immigrants (in California) Affected by Covid-19

By Rachel Puryear, Attorney at Law As millions of people nationwide have suffered partial or total loss of their regular employment and income in recent weeks, benefits and relief programs have made a vital difference for families everywhere (including my own). However, up until now, immigrants who are undocumented in the state and nation have…

Not Everyone is Safe at Home While Sheltering in Place. Here are Resources for Help With Domestic Violence.

By Rachel Puryear, Attorney at Law While you are sheltering in place, dear readers, I sincerely hope that you are all safe in your homes. Some in your community, however, are in more danger than ever – not only because of Covid, but because they must stay at home, and they have domestic violence problems…

Think You Might Have Caught Covid on the Job? Now It’s Easier to Get Work Comp Benefits.

By Rachel Puryear, Attorney at Law You may know that in general, if a worker gets sick or injured on their job, they are entitled to certain benefits – including partial wage replacement while off work, medical treatment, and payments based upon their level of permanent disability. Also, normally, to get such benefits; the injured…

Can’t Pay Rent for May? How to Talk to your Landlord.

By Rachel Puryear, Attorney at Law It’s the 2nd. If you’re dreading talking to your landlord because you don’t have this month’s rent ready, you are not alone. Even many who always paid their rent on time are now finding themselves struggling. Here are some tips to talk with your landlord about your situation, and…

Disappointed With Your EDD Award? Check if You Qualify for These New Expanded Benefits.

By Rachel Puryear, Attorney at Law If you applied for unemployment benefits hoping for needed relief, but were disappointed with your award (maybe you even got $0); you might want to give it another try. California’s Unemployment Development Department has just implemented its Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits as of April 28, 2020, to give relief…

Can Debt Collectors Snatch Your Stimulus Check? Here’s How You Can Protect Your Money.

By Rachel Puryear, Attorney at Law If you have not yet received your coronavirus stimulus payment, you are probably eagerly anticipating it. Such payments were intended to bring essential relief to the many Americans who are struggling following huge job losses. However, some people have had a rude shock to find out that their payments…

Job Offer Fell Through Because of Shelter-in-Place? You Can Get This Benefit.

By Rachel Puryear, Attorney at Law If you were scheduled to start a new job before Shelter-in-Place, and the offer fell through because of SIP orders, you can file for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits (PUA). These benefits are available for people who do not qualify for regular unemployment insurance benefits, but who have lost employment…

San Mateo’s Below-Market Housing Waiting List is Open.

By Rachel Puryear, Attorney at Law If you are interested in living in affordable/below-market rate rental housing in the city of San Mateo, or you know someone else who might be, here’s a great opportunity. The waiting list for below-market rental housing in San Mateo is now open. Here’s the link to apply: https://www.cityofsanmateo.org/3931/Below-Market-Rate-Rental-Housing-Program You…