What are Legal Services?

Americans have a right to an attorney when accused of a crime. But most don’t realize you can lose your income, your home, or your children without the right an attorney. That’s where legal services come in ensuring equal access to justice.

Ensuring Equal Access to Justice

For millions of Americans, navigating the legal system can be overwhelming – especially for those who cannot afford an attorney. Civil legal services seek to ensure that all individuals, regardless of financial status, have access to legal help in critical civil matters that affect their safety, stability and well-being.

LSC is the largest funder of civil legal services in the United States, distributing federal grants to nonprofit organizations that provide free legal assistance to low-income individuals and families.

Legal Assistance Changes Lives

LSC empowers legal aid organizations across the country to provide critical legal services to low-income Americans in areas such as:

Protecting Families: Helping parents secure custody, child support or protection from domestic violence

Advocating for Veterans: Ensuring former service members receive the benefits and assistance they’ve earned

Preventing Homelessness: Representing individuals and families facing eviction or foreclosure

Supporting Workers & Businesses: Helping individuals with criminal records reenter the workforce and advising small business owners

Promoting Financial Security: Assisting seniors and others overcome barriers to accessing benefits they’ve earned, like Medicare and Social Security