1.Qualifications for Free Legal Aid

The prevalence of the justice gap is a concern that continues to affect the legal system in the US. On average, a lawyer charges approximately $284 per hour, and it is significantly more than a low-income US household, veterans, immigrants, or disabled people can afford.

Because of this issue, many people decide to move forward with their legal matters without seeking assistance from a lawyer. It becomes clear from how 98% of tenants in tenant eviction cases and 95% of parents in child support cases went unrepresented in the New York state court in 2013. And this percentage continues to increase and could be higher in other states in the US.

The reason is that 71% of low-income households experience one kind or another form of civil legal problem, according to the Legal Services Corporation. The issues faced by them range from domestic violence to disability access.

Considering these issues, the Constitution and the US government endeavor to provide free legal aid to bring equal justice by allocating funds and grants to various organizations. Although there are several possibilities to attain free legal services, many are in the dark and unaware of them.

Why don't we look into them in detail and bring clarification on how to avail of the benefits of the free legal aid system in the US?

If You are an Accused Criminal

If you have been accused of a crime and can't afford legal help, you can opt for free legal aid. However, you can do so if your case can threaten your liberty, which means that there is a chance of going to jail.

Here, you can apply for a public defendant, and the court can provide you with one after duly considering your case. Sometimes, the court might offer you the assistance of a private lawyer, where the concerned court will make the required payments.

If You are a Victim of Domestic Violence

Victims of domestic violence can opt for free legal aid in cases of abuse affecting their safety. Through this, they can attain restraining orders and help the authorities collect evidence to improve their well-being.

Aside from this, you can connect with NGOs offering free legal aid. If you face such concerns, you can reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline. It would be highly beneficial if you need immediate assistance.

If You are an Immigrant

Did you know that immigration lawyers can charge up to $4000 for their services? It can be significantly more than an immigrant, refugee, or noncitizen can afford in the US.

It is when seeking help through free legal aid for non-cost immigration legal services becomes beneficial. By adopting this, you can attain qualifications to look into issues related to green cards, visa applications, deportation procedures, etc.,

If You are a Disabled-Veteran

For disabled veterans, the US government offers free legal aid services. It applies to all physically and mentally disabled US veterans. However, it will depend on the type of case you have. Some situations under which you can gain free legal help range from issues related to child visitations to house renting concerns.

Before moving forward, it would be beneficial to check with the local veterans' association to gain more information.

If You are from a Low-Income Household

If you belong to a low-income family in the US, you can gain legal aid. However, your family income has to be less than 125% of the federally recognized poverty level. Also, these regulations can vary from one place to another, so it would be beneficial to check with your lawyer beforehand.

Most importantly, this criterion will depend on your household size, which is something decided by the Department of Health and Human Services. If your family has four members, you can benefit from the free legal aid if your annual income is $32,188. However, this applies to 48 contiguous states and the district of Columbia.

For people in Alaska, it has to be $40,288, and for those in Hawaii, it is $37,025. It changes depending upon the number of members you have in your household, and you can find these details from the American Bar Association.

If You are a Part of a Community

If you run a non-profit organization or NGO, you can seek help through free legal aid. It can be for improving economic, cultural, social, or environmental factors of different communities. Here, NGOs can qualify for free legal help and offer them services for specific concerns.

These can be for issues related to unemployment, racial problems, substance abuse, homelessness, and several others. By doing this, you can bring justice and provide legal help to those who require them the most.

If You have HIV/AIDS

Although there has been a 5% decrease in the number of HIV/AIDS cases in the US, the number of newly reported infections is 34,800 in 2019. And in most situations, people with HIV/AIDS are from low-income families, and they find it challenging to attain the essential legal help due to financial constraints.

It is when free legal aid programs come in handy, especially when dealing with problems related to employment, insurance, family law, estate planning, etc.,

While having such issues, people with HIV/AIDS can reach out to non-profit organizations or governmental bodies to assist them with free legal services. Through this, they can attain justice like every other citizen in the US.

If You Attain Other Financial Aids from the US Government

You can garner the benefits of free legal aid in the US if you are a part of other financial help programs. In the US, several programs by the government are looking into helping the needful. For instance, SSI or Supplemental Security Income offers a monthly payment for those US citizens who have disabilities or blindness.

Apart from SSI, there are other programs as well under which people can gain free legal aid in the US. They include the Older American Act, the Developmentally Disabled Assistance Act, the County Relief Program, the Food Stamp Program, SSI, etc. Several other financial aids depend on your state.