11. Who Provides Legal Aid?

Legal aid is a provision by the US and other countries to bring everyone equal before the law. It is an initiative that comes under federal law.

Here, people facing financial constraints can seek assistance from lawyers, who can help them free of cost. However, the guidelines and eligibility criteria associated with legal aid can vary from one country to another. Legal clinics, pro bono service providers, law firms, and individual lawyers in the US provide these services in the US.

Here, we will focus on details related to legal aid offered by the federal-funded and other organizations in the US. Therefore, let's waste no more time and discuss this further.

What Type of Services Does Legal Aid Facilitate?

Different legal services are available as part of legal aid, ranging from direct consultations to DIY toolkits. Let's look at them in detail:

● Direct Services

Direct services can be legal advice from a lawyer to help find out the problem and its solution. Mostly pro bono volunteers and legal aid attorneys handle these types of legal services in the US.

● Indirect Services

Indirect services can be self-help and community education. It can include workshops, helplines, online chats, telephone conversations, and other provisions.

Through these services, the aim is to offer people a better understanding of their rights and to make them aware that they can reach out for help if needed. Service providers can furnish DIY toolkits with legal forms, sample letters, informative videos, etc. Other than this, there can be training programs to inform people of their rights and facilitate information related to domestic violence, public benefits, tenants' rights, etc.,

● Services Related to Systemic Issues

Sometimes there can be concerns related to data collection or a requirement to solve problems a group of people faces. Under these circumstances, you can seek help from legal aid services. For instance, consider there is a health hazard because of the incorrect treatment of waste materials from an industry. Here, people from the concerned locality can benefit from legal aid to handle the issue.

These are the different services offered as part of legal aid in the US.

Who Provides Legal Aid?

Most legal aid in the US comes from the Legal Services Corporation or LSC. It is an organization established in 1974 to provide legal assistance to people in all US states, the District of Columbia, and other US territories.

Other than LSC, other non-governmental organizations offer legal help to people. However, they don't receive any form of funding from the LSC.

Now, let's look at these legal aid providers in detail.

● LSC Funded Organizations

The LSC, funded by the federal government, offers legal assistance to low-income Americans. Here, Legal Services Corporation provides financial assistance to 132 independent non-profit organizations in the US. They facilitate legal aid to individuals with an annual income of less than 125% of the federal poverty guidelines.

While searching for legal aid, you can visit LSC's official website and type in an address or location. You can select one based on your requirement from a map provided on the screen. You can find their contact information, including their phone number, fax details, and website URL. You can then connect with them directly to see if they can help you with your concern.

For instance, if you search for LSC-funded legal services in Montana, the LSC platform will suggest the Montana Legal Services Association. Similarly, if you want legal help in Dakota, the LSC platform will direct you to the Legal Services of Dakota.

● Non-LSC Funded Organizations

Non-LSC Funded Organizations are independently run associations that don't receive funding from the Legal Services Corporation. Here, they offer assistance to senior citizens and domestic violence victims without considering their income. They facilitate self-help and informational services as well to people in need.

Who Gets Legal Aid?

You can get legal aid under these conditions, and they are as follows:

1. You have an income of less than $15,075 as of 2017. However, it depends upon your family size, legal issues, and state of residence. These guidelines can change based on these factors.

2. Your household income is less than 125% of the Federal Poverty Level. Based on your location, the authorities will look into expenses related to childcare, medical expenses, or debts.

3. You can get legal aid if you are a senior citizen, an HIV+ person, or an individual facing domestic violence. Here, the legal aid provider will furnish services without considering your financial situation.

How to Get Legal Aid?

Here are the different ways through which you can attain legal aid in the US:

● Contact the Bar Association

Your local or state bar association can provide relevant information about lawyers offering legal aid. Through this service, you can get legal assistance at a reduced price.

● Visit a Local Law Firm

There will be several law firms in your region that offer financial assistance. You can connect with them and let them know about your case. Based on your situation and if you meet their guidelines, the concerned law firm will help you out.

● Connect with Legal Aid Offices

There will be lawyers and paralegals providing free services in your locality. They can handle cases related to family law, employment issues, and others.

You can find information about these offices by performing a simple online search or using a phone directory.

● Opt for Legal Aid Offered by Law Schools

In most law schools, there will be legal clinics where law students will practice law under the supervision of an experienced lawyer. These law students will be specializing in a particular area as well.

● Consider Legal Aid Offered by Your Local Court

Your local courts will have free legal clinics or a Friends of the Court Program. Through this initiative, you will find help in family law and other types of cases. You can find further information on the same by checking with your local court to find if you are eligible for the program.