Driving Change Through Legislation
| At VPLC, our legislative advocacy is at the heart of our mission to fight poverty and inequality. We work directly with lawmakers to advocate for policies that provide economic security, fair housing, healthcare, and essential benefits for low-income Virginians. Our efforts include providing legal and subject-matter expertise, offering programs to help educate our partners and the public, and ensuring that people’s voices are heard in the legislative process. With the support of our partners, we aim to create long-lasting, impactful change that benefits all Virginians. |
Our Areas of Work
We help make Virginia better for low-income residents in a number of different areas.
Our Impact
$47M yearly increase in unemployment benefits
Legislation secured the first benefit increase in 11 years, adding $52/week for workers and allowing claimants to keep more part-time income.
$85M saved for Virginia families
Blocked Appalachian Power’s proposed $95 million rate hike, securing savings for 500,000+ customers and expanding payment plans and low-income support programs.
100,000+ Virginians gaining better access to benefits
Advocacy improved the state’s CommonHelp application system, making it more user-friendly and accessible for those seeking childcare, food, energy, and cash assistance.
Following General Assembly in Virginia
Virginia’s Bill Search
You can search and find legislation at Virginia’s Legislative Information System’s (LIS) database. You can search this legislation by entering the bill number (e.g., 5051) or by searching a keyword (e.g., eviction). Once you find the legislation, you will find the bill’s sponsor(s), a summary of the bill’s language, and more.
Know your Representatives
The Who's My Legislator? service is an online tool where the public at-large can determine what legislators represent them. Users can enter their home address or use map based navigation to see their Virginia House and Senate representatives, as well as those in the U.S. House and Senate.
Our Legislative Advocates
Valerie L’Herrou, Esq.
Deputy Director of the Center for Family Advocacy
Staff Attorney, Family & Child Welfare
Susheela Varky, Esq.
Director of the Center for Family Advocacy and Legal Assistance for Victim-Immigrants of Domestic Abuse (LA VIDA)
Legislative Advocacy News and Insights
Update
From Capitol Hill to Virginia Homes: The Real Cost of a Shutdown
When federal systems stall, low-income Virginians face the consequences first.
Update
VPLC Stands Up for Low-Income Virginians in Dominion’s Rate Case
This week, Virginia Poverty Law Center (VPLC) appeared before the State Corporation Commission (SCC) to ensure the voices of low-income Virginians are heard in Dominion Energy’s latest rate case.
Update
Rubber Stamp Injustice in Virginia Courts
New report and Supreme Court case spotlight how debt buyers dominate Virginia’s courts RICHMOND, Va. — “Over 86,000 Virginians were sued last year by companies they have never done business with—debt buyers.
