Tzedek DC joined @nclc4consumers.bsky.social to urge DISB to enforce DC's interest cap rate at 24% for earned wage access apps. These apps are new forms of payday loans that would trap DC residents with low incomes in cycles of debt with interest rates as high as 300%. www.nclc.org/broad-coalit...

The community justice worker model can offer a pathway to increasing capacity to serve more residents at risk of legal problems and promoting economic and financial empowerment for low-income DC residents, said Director Ariel Levinson-Waldman in @law360.bsky.social. www.law360.com/access-to-ju...

Tzedek DC & allies filed a brief urging the Court to prevent further dismantlement of the CFPB. The brief shows how the federal government unlawfully orchestrated a plan in 2025 “to shut the agency down entirely & to do it fast.” @borrowerjustice.bsky.social consumerlaw.berkeley.edu/sites/defaul...

On Monday, the @auwcl.bsky.social Disability Law Society and Labor and Employment Law Society had Disabilities Community Project lead Marissa Ditkowsky talk to students about navigating the legal profession with a disability. Read more about Marissa’s work here: www.tzedekdc.org/marissa-ditk...

Today is #SaferInternetDay, which aims to not only create a safer internet but also a better internet, where everyone is empowered to use technology responsibly, respectfully, critically, and creatively. #SaferInternetDay2026 #SID2026 @connectsafely.bsky.social

A new bill in Congress seeks to strip $1.5M in grants away from DC's public safety programs because DC's bail system looks to safety rather than ability to pay—trying to coerce DC into reimposing cash bail, which does not make us safer and can have lifelong harms for those who can't afford to pay.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of commemorating #BlackHistory and the 50th anniversary of #BlackHistoryMonth's formal recognition. Black history is American history—yesterday, today, and tomorrow. We honor the trailblazers, innovators, and leaders who shape our community and country. #BHM2026

Disabled airline consumers face persistent discrimination and damage to durable medical equipment. Today, we filed comments with @us-dot.bsky.social urging them to continue complaint investigation and enforcement, not merely encourage voluntary compliance. www.regulations.gov/comment/DOT-...

Congress is threatening to disapprove local DC tax code changes. Last year, @councilofdc.bsky.social chose to not to match DC taxes to federal changes giving tax breaks to millionaires to keep funding for the Earned Income Tax Credit and the DC Child Tax Credit.

A new study shows how financial stress, including from #MedicalDebt and food insecurity, can cause the same heart problems as high blood pressure & more. This highlights the need for services like ours to help DC residents stay financially and physically healthy. @cnn.com www.cnn.com/2026/01/16/h...

A study in @jamanetworkopen.com reveals a staggering link between #MedicalDebt and subsequent #HousingInstability in the following year. That's why we're supporting @cmchenderson.bsky.social's medical debt reform bill in the DC Council. jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...

It's #IDTheftWeek, and we at Tzedek DC remind folks that #IdentityTheft can happen to anyone. Find out what to do if your identity is stolen and get other resources by visiting ftc.gov/IDTheftWeek. #IDTheft

Catch our latest #Tzedekation Digest! This month, we featured our incredible Policy Associate Sam Pannell, thanked our #MLKDay Volunteers, and celebrated some recent wins. mailchi.mp/tzedekdc/tze...

It's #DataPrivacy Week! This year's theme is taking control of your data through a few repeatable habits, such as managing your privacy settings. Learn more at the National #CyberSecurity Alliance and stay safe! #DataPrivacyWeek #DPW2026 #YourDataYourRules www.staysafeonline.org/data-privacy...

In most cases, your #SocialSecurity income can't be taken by debt collectors. But there are a few exceptions, such as with some debts to the government (like taxes or student loans) and child support. Check out the full overview in MSN Money. #SSI #SSDI www.msn.com/en-us/money/...

❗As of January 1, 6M more Americans are eligible to open an ABLE account—a tax-advantaged investment account for disabled Americans—as the cutoff age for the onset of qualifying medical conditions is raised from 26 to 46! Check if you're now eligible. www.cnbc.com/2026/01/01/6...

A huge thank you to all the volunteers, parents, kids, grandparents, staff, and friends who came out for Tzedek DC's MLK Day of Service! Together, we made over 300 kits for kids, with positive messages outside and activities inside, to engage with when visiting DC social and legal services agencies.

Win for #Consumers & #FederalWorkers. A court ordered CFPB Dir Vought to keep the CFPB funded & he complied. Last year, the Center, @tzedekdc.bsky.social, and @borrowerjustice.bsky.social filed amicus briefs on behalf of 40+ orgs warning that dismantling the agency is unlawful and unconstitutional.

DHS proposes a rule letting immigration officers consider credit scores & past use of programs like SNAP or Medicaid when deciding lawful permanent status for immigrants. This would create fear & harm for families. Tzedek DC urges DHS: Withdraw this rule. www.tzedekdc.org/s/Tzedek-DC-...

The CFPB’s consumer complaint system helps people get answers when banks, debt collectors, or lenders won’t respond. In 2024 alone, it returned $93M to harmed consumers. We’re urging CFPB to keep this tool fully operational—it’s often the only recourse people have. consumerfed.org/trumps-cfpb-...

Great news! As of December, more funds have been allotted for the DC Health Care Alliance Program, reversing cuts in coverage for some patients, including dental and vision! Over the holidays, the DC CFO certified the funds from surplus revenue that will be directed to Alliance.

Tzedek DC mourns the loss of DC Office of Disability Rights Director Mathew McCollough, who tirelessly advocated for a more accessible and inclusive future for the DC disability community. We are grateful to Mat for his decades of service. May his memory be a blessing. odr.dc.gov/biography/ma...

Tzedek DC submitted comments to the DHS opposing a proposed rule that would allow officers to consider whatever they want—including credit history or receipt of Medicaid—in deciding whether an immigrant is a public charge. This attempt to create widespread confusion/fear for immigrants cannot stand.

Illegal and unethical debt collection is on the rise, according to this @usatoday.com article. Be sure to stay on the lookout for any contact or outreach that seems off to you, and don't hesitate to reach out to us at (202) 274-7386 if you have any concerns! www.usatoday.com/story/money/...

Tzedek DC is excited to begin the new year with an opportunity to come together in service! Join us on Sunday, January 18th, from 1:00–2:30 PM at the Tzedek DC Headquarters for a family-friendly afternoon honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy. Read more here: mailchi.mp/tzedekdc/wel...

✨As we close 2025, we invite you to make a difference by supporting Tzedek DC before the year ends. Your gift helps us stand with District residents facing debt‑related crises, expand financial empowerment and knowledge, and advocate for systemic change. www.tzedekdc.org/donate-now

We urge the CFPB to protect the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), which safeguards against discrimination in lending based on protected characteristics like race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age, or source of income. www.tzedekdc.org/s/Tzedek-DC-...

Join us at our UDC headquarters on Sunday, January 18th, from 1:00-2:30 PM for a day of family-friendly learning and volunteer service to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy! Read more here: mailchi.mp/tzedekdc/vol...

The @dcattorneygeneral.bsky.social Office protects DC consumers. Tzedek DC and 28 organizations urge Congress to oppose HR 5179 to “reform” the DC Attorney General’s office by eliminating a locally accountable, independently elected AG with a Presidential appointee. nclnet.org/wp-content/u...

This incredible message from longtime volunteer Senior Advisor Janet Lowenthal highlights how she connected with Tzedek DC and why she has lent her support to us for nearly nine years. We are so grateful to Janet! mailchi.mp/tzedekdc/med...

A recent report from @harvard.edu shows that the odds of surviving cancer drop drastically when the patient's #CreditScore dips. This harrowing data demonstrates the importance of keeping #MedicalDebt off credit reports, as proposed by the DC Council. news.harvard.edu/gazette/stor....

Our client, Berenice, a DC mother of four, was assured that financial assistance would cover the eye procedure her teenage daughter needed to prevent blindness. However, the provider demanded $5,000 upfront for the second surgery—or they would refuse treatment. Read more: mailchi.mp/tzedekdc/med...

🧵 Thank you so much to the DC residents and our local and national allies who made sure your voices were heard this week in support of DC medical debt reform.

A poll from @unduemeddebt.bsky.social shows bipartisan support from voters for policies that protect people from #MedicalDebt. We testified earlier this week to the DC Council in support of a proposed law that would do this in the District. unduemedicaldebt.org/bipartisan-s...

This @npr.org article highlights how advocates for patients and consumers have shifted their work to contain the rising problem of #MedicalDebt to state efforts. Tzedek DC testified on behalf of medical debt reform to the DC Council to this effect yesterday. www.npr.org/2025/09/25/n...

Today, Tzedek DC testified in support of the Medical Debt Mitigation Amendment Act introduced by @chenderson.bsky.social. The bill comes from recommendations made in our report "More Than a Band-Aid" and builds on the District's historic cancellation of $42 million in medical debt last year.

@washingtonpost.com featured this woman who got stuck with a $97,000 bill after shattering her elbow. She noted, “I’ll make payments the rest of my life to pay it all off.” Today, Tzedek DC is testifying in support of #MedicalDebt reform to combat this. www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/202...

Tzedek DC and 80 orgs urge Congress to empower regulatory experts and agencies to address the potential harms of emerging AI technology. The SANDBOX Act would tilt power toward industry at the expense of consumers, workers, and the environment. sensiblesafeguards.org/outreach/css...

Check out the latest issue of our Financial Empowerment newsletter on #AI, #Credit, and the Myth of the Shortcut. Learn what AI CAN and CANNOT do for your credit as well as how to truly build strong credit over time via trusted habits. www.tzedekdc.org/news-1/2025/...

Make sure to let your voice be heard and register to testify in-person in support of the Medical Debt Mitigation Amendment Act. Registration for in-person testimony ends tomorrow, Dec. 11th at 5 pm: lims.dccouncil.gov/Hearings/hea...

Miriam grew up in a working class immigrant family without access to financial education. After joining our Financial Empowerment Program, she feels empowered to achieve her goals. Check out Miriam's story and learn how your gift can offer a financial lifeline. mailchi.mp/tzedekdc/giv...

Tzedek DC was quoted in a @washingtonpost.com article on cash bail in DC. "If we further crowd the jail with people whose only real offense at that point... is that they don’t have the money to pay bail, we’re going to make the jail even more dangerous." www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...

Don't miss this feature from @newsweek.com that outlines the rising problem of #MedicalDebt for Americans as health care and insurance costs are slated to rise in 2026 just as millions of Americans lose access to health insurance. www.newsweek.com/the-debt-set...

We had a great time yesterday at the Greenleaf Senior Center leading another successful session of our financial freedom bingo! Shouts out to Tzedek DC staff members Maritza Cortez and Hannah Milem and intern David Duong for representing. We look forward to the next one!

[email protected] covered the reform debates about the harms of #MedicalDebt on credit reports, linking to our report on DC’s medical debt crisis in advance of the upcoming December 15 @councilofdc.bsky.social hearing on proposed reforms arising out of the report. www.tzedekdc.org/news-1/2025/...

Today is International Day of Persons with Disabilities! The UN's theme this year is fostering disability-inclusive societies—in all aspects of social, economic, cultural, and political life—for advancing social progress. Advancing social development depends on this inclusion.

This #GivingTuesday, help DC residents protect their rights and strengthen their financial stability by supporting Tzedek DC's work. www.tzedekdc.org/donate-now

Happy Thanksgiving from Tzedek DC! We are enjoying delicious treats from our favorite bakery, Sunflower Bakery, which provides skilled job training and employment for young adults with learning differences. We're grateful for the chance to support their mission.

Check out our latest #TzedekationDigest, with updates on the robust work we've done over the past month. This month also features our first-ever Director of Development, Jessica Trease, who joined us at the end of August. mailchi.mp/tzedekdc/tze...

Shout out to John Blake & Marissa Ditkowsky for their panels at the @nclc4consumers.bsky.social conference last week! John spoke about tenant screening with @nhlp.bsky.social's Eric Dunn & NCLC's Chi Chi Wu. Marissa & Joshua Horton discussed supplementing consumer claims with disability rights laws.