Homeowners: Are you behind on your utility bills? You are not alone!

On May 1, 2023, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced the extension of the water bill amnesty program through May 31st. So far, 86,000 customers have participated and saved money!


The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) launched a temporary water bill amnesty program to help New Yorkers save up to $150 million of interest when they pay their overdue water bills.

DEP is offering a limited one-time amnesty with up to 100% interest forgiveness for all customers with an outstanding balance. If you owe water and wastewater charges, you may be eligible for this amnesty offer.

For customers with a balance of more than $1,000 for over a year, DEP will offer three amnesty options: 

  • – If 100% of the principal bill is paid, 100% of interest will be forgiven; 
  • – If 50% of the principal bill is paid, 75% of interest will be forgiven; or 
  • – If 25% of the principal bill is paid, 50% of interest will be forgiven. 

Customers who owe less than $1,000 are still eligible to receive amnesty on 100% of their interest if they pay their total bill. All customers who participate in the water amnesty program and leave a remaining outstanding balance will be required to enter into a payment agreement with DEP.

For customers that already participate in New York State’s Low Income Homeowner Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP), DEP is offering up to an additional $30 million to assist these homeowners with forgiveness of up to $5,000 of their remaining balances. 

The program ends on April 30, 2023 May 31, 2023. Click here to view your options!

Do you need help paying other utilities? The NYS Energy Affordability Program/Low-Income Bill Discount Program provides income-eligible customers with a discount on their monthly electric and/or gas bills.

You may be enrolled automatically if you receive benefits from a government assistance program. For more information visit Con Edison – Payment Plans and Assistance and National Grid – Bill Help to see what assistance may be available for you.


Do you or someone you know need legal help? Begin an online intake here. If you prefer to speak with staff directly, our intake hours are Monday through Thursday between 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Please call (718) 624-3894 or email us at help@accessjusticebk.org.

Press Release: Access Justice Brooklyn Announces the Election of Jack Aldrich to Board of Directors

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, March 24, 2023

ACCESS JUTICE BROOKLYN ANNOUNCES THE ELECTION OF A NEW BOARD MEMBER
(click here to download the press release)

Brooklyn, New York –– Access Justice Brooklyn announces the election of one new member to its Board of Directors following election at the organization’s board meeting held on March 9, 2023.

Joining Access Justice Brooklyn’s Board of Directors is Jack Aldrich, Vice President, Official Institutions at BlackRock and former Chair of the organization’s Young Professionals Board (YPB). Upon his election, Mr. Aldrich shared the following:

“I am delighted and honored to be joining the Board of Access Justice Brooklyn, a purpose-driven organization whose role in ensuring equal access to the legal system for all residents of Brooklyn, is more critical now than ever. As a non-lawyer, I look forward to putting my professional background and previous experience as Chair of Access Justice Brooklyn’s Young Professionals Board to work in service of the organization’s mission.” 

Access Justice Brooklyn is dedicated to serving our community and creating a fairer and more accessible legal system by engaging leaders like Mr. Aldrich and strengthening our network and partnerships within the law firms and businesses throughout the City. During his tenure on the YPB, Mr. Aldrich actively participated in and led member recruitment efforts, diversification of fundraising, event management, and the expansion of volunteer opportunities for cross industry professionals.

“I am so pleased that Jack Aldrich is joining Access Justice Brooklyn’s Board. As a founding member of the Young Professionals Board, he has demonstrated such an impressive level of commitment and passion for the organization’s mission as well as capacity to lead with creativity, expertise, and enthusiasm. His accomplishments as Chair of the YPB are just a mere glimpse into what we know will be Jack’s continued impact on the strategic growth of the organization as he embraces his new role as Board Member,” said Stephen Z. Williamson, Vice Chair and Board Resource and Governance Committee Co-Chair, Access Justice Brooklyn Board of Directors.

Mr. Aldrich joins a 21 – member board that oversees Access Justice Brooklyn’s governance and strategic development including: Lynn E. Judell, Schwartz Sladkus Reich Greenberg Atlas LLP, Chair; Stephen Z. Williamson, Law Office of Stephen Z. Williamson, P.L.L.C., Vice Chair; Scottye Lindsey, Santander Bank, Treasurer; Michael Watson, Ford Foundation, Secretary; Daniel Angel, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP; Elena Bonifacio, Google; Lisa Braun, PwC; Caroline Conway, Stonepeak; Elizabeth Dank, TikTok; Brian Fryd, Cornerstone Research; Jeffrey B. Gewirtz, BSE Global; Adam B. Gilbert, Nixon Peabody LLP; Heidi Lee Henderson, Access Justice Brooklyn, President; Alexander Kaplan, Oppenheim + Zebrak, LLP; Colin S. Kelly, Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP; Mark Lande, Island Capital Group LLC; Samuel O. Maduegbuna, Maduegbuna Cooper LLP; Thanya Polonio-Jones, Center for Reproductive Rights; Lee Popkin, Proskauer Rose LLP; Lydia Keaney Reynolds, FARFETCH; and Adam Shepherd, Macquarie Group.

Board recruitment efforts continue as Access Justice Brooklyn seeks diverse candidates who possess the combined interests, skills, values, enthusiasm, and dedication needed to fulfill the organization’s mission, surpass its goals, and propel Access Justice Brooklyn to new levels of impact.

About Access Justice Brooklyn:

Access Justice Brooklyn partners with compassionate pro bono attorneys to provide high-quality, civil legal services that help ensure equal access to the legal system. The organization’s approach prioritizes the most basic, essential elements and experiences of human life, including housing, family stability, and subsistence income. Its proven pro bono model—recruit, train, supervise, and support—also provides flexibility to address new legal issues as they emerge. Everyone, whether an attorney or not, has a role to play in expanding access to justice. Visit www.accessjusticebrooklyn.org or email info@accessjusticebk.org to volunteer, donate, or find other ways to get involved.

Press Contact:
Melissa Starr | Senior Director of Development & Strategic Initiatives | 718-473-9210 | melissa@accessjusticebk.org

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Press Release: Access Justice Brooklyn Announces the Retirement of Lawrence F. DiGiovanna and Steven Zelkowitz from Board of Directors

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, March 23, 2023

ACCESS JUSTICE BROOKLYN ANNOUNCES THE RETIREMINET OF 2 BOARD MEMBERS AND ELECTION OF NEW BOARD LEADERSHIP (click here to download the press release)

Brooklyn, New York –– Access Justice Brooklyn announces the retirement of long-time Board Vice Chair Lawrence F. DiGiovanna, Partner, Abrams Fensterman LLP, and Board Member, Steven Zelkowitz, President, Utility Technology Solutions, and the election of former Board Secretary, Stephen Z. Williamson, Principal Attorney, Law Office of Stephen Z. Williamson, P.L.L.C., as Vice Chair and Michael Watson, Senior Investment Analyst, Hedge Funds, Ford Foundation, as Secretary following the organization’s March 9, 2023 board meeting. In addition, Lynn E. Judell, Of Counsel, Schwartz Sladkus Reich Greenberg Atlas LLP, and Scottye Lindsey, Head of US CIB Leveraged Finance, Santander Bank, were re-elected as Chair and Treasurer, respectively.

Upon retirement, Larry DiGiovanna, who joined the Board of Directors of Access Justice Brooklyn in 1999 and served on the Executive Committee as Vice Chair for twenty years and chaired the Audit Committee since 2015, said: “I am deeply appreciative for having had the opportunity and ability to serve the organization as a volunteer, Board Member, and officer. I congratulate the Board on the amazing progress that has been made over the past decade in bringing Access Justice Brooklyn from a modest but effective provider to one of the top volunteer legal service organizations in New York State. Our accomplishments in growth, both financial and programmatic, give us all reasons to be proud. But for those who have engaged in volunteerism, we know the most gratifying moments come when clients, each in their own way, express their appreciation for our help, although we require no such thanks.”

Steve Zelkowitz, who also joined the Board of Directors of Access Justice Brooklyn in 1999 and chaired the organization’s Investment Committee from 2014-2020, shared the following: “It has been my honor and privilege to serve as a member of the Board of Access Justice Brooklyn for over 23 years, and contribute, in some small way, to its development and growth into a critical part of the legal infrastructure in Brooklyn providing vital legal services to the underserved of the borough. I wish the organization and its staff nothing but continued success in achieving its important mission.”

Over the years, Larry and Steve have epitomized the definition of leadership, generosity, and dedication. Their unwavering support, expert guidance, and vision helped shape the organization, propelling the advancement of Access Justice Brooklyn’s mission and pioneering pro bono model.

Reflecting on their contributions to the organization, Board Chair, Lynn Judell said the following: “Larry and Steve are shining examples of what it means to be legal advocates for our community. Their shared values and commitment to equal justice are what helped pave the path for Access Justice Brooklyn to enhance its role in providing high-quality, civil legal services to Brooklyn’s underserved communities. Their influence and impact will be forever embedded into the fiber of Access Justice Brooklyn’s work and fulfillment of our mission.”

About Access Justice Brooklyn:

Access Justice Brooklyn partners with compassionate pro bono attorneys to provide high-quality, civil legal services that help ensure equal access to the legal system. The organization’s approach prioritizes the most basic, essential elements and experiences of human life, including housing, family stability, and subsistence income. Its proven pro bono model—recruit, train, supervise, and support—also provides flexibility to address new legal issues as they emerge. Everyone, whether an attorney or not, has a role to play in expanding access to justice. Visit www.accessjusticebrooklyn.org or email info@accessjusticebk.org to volunteer, donate, or find other ways to get involved.

Press Contact:
Melissa Starr | Senior Director of Development & Strategic Initiatives | 718-473-9210 | melissa@accessjusticebk.org

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