Legal Services Programs
Legal Services Programs
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NOTE: Glossary words are highlighted. Click on any glossary word to see its definition.
What are Legal Services programs?
Legal Services programs give free legal help to low-income and elderly residents for non-criminal matters. Legal Services programs get funds from the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation, the national Legal Services Corporation, non-profit agencies, private corporations, and individual donors.
Legal Services programs help with non-criminal legal problems such as:
- claims for government benefits such as SSI and welfare
- housing/homelessness issues such as evictions, tenant/landlord disputes, and housing discrimination
- family law, including divorces, child custody, and domestic violence
- consumer issues
- employee rights
- elder law, such as rights of nursing home residents
- mental health and disability issues, especially where benefits are denied
- immigration law
- other non-criminal legal problems
Because of limited funds, Legal Services organizations may give priority to certain types of legal cases. Priorities depend on the needs of the people in the service area.
Am I eligible?
Legal Services helps people with incomes below 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. They also help seniors age 60 or older and Medicare recipients regardless of income. Legal Services sometimes makes an exception to the income limits in special circumstances.
Legal Services Income Limits
125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines
(Effective January 30, 2009)
| Number in Family |
Annual Income |
| 1 |
$13,538 |
| 2 |
$18,213 |
| 3 |
$22,888 |
| 4 |
$27,563 |
| 5 |
$32,238 |
| 6 |
$36,913 |
| 7 |
$41,588 |
| 8 |
$46,263 |
each
additional |
+ $4,675 |
Some Legal Services programs are only open to U.S. citizens and eligible noncitizens. Other Legal Services programs are open to anyone, including undocumented noncitizens. A staff member at your local Legal Services organization will explain the rules that apply to you.
What benefits will I get?
When you call, a Legal Services staff member will discuss your situation with you to find out what sort of legal help you need. The Legal Services staff may:
- give you advice over the phone
- send you self-help information or forms
- provide a legal services lawyer to help you
- find a private volunteer lawyer willing to help you
How do I apply?
To find a Legal Services office in your community:
Useful links
These links are external links to web sites that are not part of MassResources.org. When you click on these links, you will leave our site. Click "Back" on your browser to return.
Please check our Online Legal Help section for more free legal help resources.
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Massachusetts Legal Help
A project of the Massachusetts legal aid community that tries to improve legal access for low-income and other disadvantaged residents of Massachusetts. Provides Basic Legal Information online and a Find Legal Help search tool.
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Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation
Information about the MLAC, the organization in charge of the state civil legal services system.
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Legal Services Corporation
Web site of the national organization in charge of federal funds for local Legal Services programs. Includes detailed eligibility information, including:
What's new
Legal Services section last updated on 4/30/10
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