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Federal Student Loan Payment Pause Extension a Critical Step to Protect Borrowers Pending Resolution of the Lawsuits Against Cancellation

November 22, 2022

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In response to the Biden Administration’s extension of the pause on federal student loan payments pending resolution of the lawsuits against cancellation, Alpha Taylor, staff attorney at the National Consumer Law Center, issued the following statement: “We applaud the Biden Administration for taking this critical step to protect student borrowers as it…

FCC Agrees with NCLC Advocates: Ringless Voicemail Covered by Robocall Rules

November 22, 2022

This week, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) made “crystal clear” that ringless voicemail is subject to the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and to the same rules prohibiting callers from making calls to cellphones without consumers first providing consent. In a Declaratory Ruling, the FCC highlighted comments submitted by NCLC, writing, “We thus agree with…

Advocates Cautiously Optimistic About Administration’s Plan to Improve Student Loan Bankruptcy

November 17, 2022

Concerns Remain about Consistent and Fair Implementation WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Departments of Education and Justice announced new guidance for when the government should allow a student loan borrower who has filed bankruptcy to be relieved of a federal student loan debt. These guidelines aim to enhance consistency and ensure greater equity in the…

Karen Meyers, New Mexico consumer advocate, awarded consumer law’s most prestigious honor

November 12, 2022

Lawyers from Massachusetts, Oregon, and Maryland earn ‘Rising Star’ awards SEATTLE — In recognition of her contributions to the practice of consumer law, New Mexico attorney Karen Meyers accepted the National Consumer Law Center’s 2022 Vern Countryman Award. The prestigious annual honor recognizes an attorney whose special contributions to consumer law have strengthened and affirmed…

More Massachusetts Residents Fall Behind on Utilities, With Record Winter Bills on the Way

November 8, 2022

COVID Created New Class of Struggling Customers at Risk of Shutoffs BOSTON – According to a new analysis from the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC), Massachusetts residential utility customers are increasingly falling behind on their utility payments and are at increased risk of having their utilities shut off– with record winter fuel prices on the…

New U.S. Department of Education Regulations Will Make It Easier For Borrowers Harmed By Their School To Obtain Relief

October 31, 2022

WASHINGTON – Today the U.S. Department of Education announced its final rules on the borrower defense to repayment, closed school, false certification, total and permanent disability, and Public Service Loan Forgiveness discharges, as well as arbitration and interest capitalization. The new rules will: Expand the eligibility criteria for discharges so that more borrowers are able…