North Penn Legal Services (NPLS) assists patients at Lehigh Valley Hospital–17th Street practices with public benefits, landlord-tenant disputes, repair of poor housing conditions, resolution of denied health insurance benefits, accessing food subsidies and personal safety from domestic violence

 Through NPLS, the following activities take place: 

  • Training health care providers to recognize patient social and economic factors affecting health that can be addressed through civil legal intervention.
  • Providing access to on-site consultation with an attorney to address housing, access to benefits, child custody concerns, and other civil legal issues.
  • Using data to detect geographic patterns of social needs in order to improve policies and regulations that have an impact on population health.

What is the goal?

To facilitate patient access to legal aid services that address social and economic issues that have real or potential impacts on health. Measures of success include:

  • Improved quality of life among participants and families.
  • Reduction in asthma exacerbations.
  • Reduction in depressive symptoms and other psychosocial measures.
  • Improved housing stability.
  • Improved food security.
  • Improved financial and social service support.

Learn about other initiatives and collaborations in the Department of Community Health.

Who is eligible for services? 

LVHN patients and their families who meet certain criteria.

Get Involved 

Contact the North Penn Legal Services' central intake line: 877-953-4250