ALBANY NY (WRGB) -- The Bar Association is helping people who have applied for unemployment insurance but were denied.

The Bar Association President says people have a much better case to make while challenging that denial if they have an attorney in their corner, but as you can imagine, someone without a job may not be able to afford one.

If you’re denied an unemployment insurance claim with New York, you can challenge it and get a hearing, if the ruling stands, you can then appeal it.

New York State Bar Association President Hank Greenberg says it is always a smart move to challenge these decisions with a lawyer present:

There are studies that show that people who are represented by counsel fare better if they are represented by themselves.

But attorneys fees may be a big expense for someone who has lost their income, so The Bar Association started a new website to get someone pro bono, or free legal representation if their unemployment insurance claim is denied.

He says there’s been an “access to justice crisis” for many New Yorkers even before the COVID-19 outbreak happened.

“There are pockets of New York State where it’s very very difficult for the poor and middle class to get legal assistance," Greenberg said. "Add on top of that COVID 19, and that access to justice crisis widens into a canyon.”

Greenberg says over 700 attorneys in the state have already signed up. Greenberg says they have all been trained on how to litigate these kinds of cases.

Victorine Froehlich is helping train these attorneys, since she spent ten years overseeing these very kinds of hearings as an administrative law judge with the Department of Labor.

She says during these pressing times, lawyers have an obligation to help people seeking legal guidance:

As lawyers we are expected to provide pro bono services, that was stressed when we graduated law school. That is stressed every year when we renew our licenses for every two year period.

And she says an attorney in someone’s corner can help keep their argument concise and guide their client through the process.

“If you are represented it could just keep them calm through the process and adhere to sticking to the points and facts of the case because that’s really important," Froehlich added.

We’re told it a best to use this service as quickly as possible, since you only have 30 days to challenge a denied claim for unemployment insurance.