Outcomes Catalog

This list is the result of a survey of states, grantees, and other organizations currently collecting outcomes for legal services, and is a starting point for outcomes that might be right for a legal aid program to collect.

Some outcomes might not apply to your program, while other possible outcomes relative to your work may not be listed. With nearly 500 outcomes, this collection will help you move from a blank page to a set of outcomes that best represents your work.

To view outcomes for a particular sub-category, click on the link.

Consumer

Bankruptcy/Debtor Relief

  • Obtained federal bankruptcy protection
  • Obtained referral for bankruptcy
  • Obtained recovery on judgment
  • Workout of consumer debt

Collection, including Repossession/Deficiency/Garnishment

  • Stopped or reduced (inappropriate) debt collection activity/harassment
  • Averted repossession
  • Avoided or reduced deficiency judgments
  • Avoided, ended, or reduced garnishment or levy
  • Ceased collection action by collection agency
  • Obtained compensation or other relief for predatory or illegal loan practices/servicing

Contracts/Warranties

  • Enforced sales contract and/or warranties on behalf of consumer
  • Obtained protection against illegal contract/warranty
  • Overcame illegal sales contracts and/or warranties

Collection Practices/Creditor Harassment

  • Resolved credit reporting errors
  • Obtained favorable result in debt collection litigation

Predatory Lending Practices (Not Mortgages)

  • Overcame predatory lending practices

Loans/Installment Purchases

  • Obtained or preserved credit
  • Overcame illegal loan/installment purchase agreement

Public Utilities

  • Avoided or delayed utility termination
  • Secured utility services
  • Estimated annual electric assistance for family
  • Obtained waiver or reduction of utility arrearage (including telephone)

Unfair and Deceptive Sales and Practices (Not Real Property)

  • Overcame fraudulent or unfair sales practice

Other Consumer/Finance

  • Obtained insurance benefits (other than health or disability)
  • Obtained representation on a consumer matter—no other outcome
  • Obtained advice and counsel on a consumer matter
  • Obtained non-litigation advocacy services on a consumer matter
  • Obtained other benefit on a consumer matter
  • Obtained negotiated settlement agreement
  • Obtained assistance pursuing small claims action
  • Secured homeowners insurance benefits
  • Obtained protection from financial abuse (by non-family member)
  • Submitted complaint to regulatory agency

Education

Discipline (Including Expulsion and Suspension)

  • Obtained reversal of illegal suspension/expulsion from school
  • Obtained reinstatement to school in lieu of suspension or expulsion
  • Avoided or delayed suspension or expulsion from school
  • Reduced length of suspension or expulsion from school
  • Obtained decision that disciplinary incident was a manifestation of child's disability
  • Overcame truancy allegation or sanctions

Special Education/Learning Disabilities

  • Secured transition services as part of the individual education plan
  • Obtained appropriate educational plan under special education law
  • Secured appropriate educational services in an inclusive and integrated setting
  • Obtained/modified/preserved) special education eligibility
  • Avoided inappropriate special education classification

Access (Including Bilingual, Residency, Testing)

  • Obtained alternate education for student who was expelled
  • Obtained special education evaluation for student at school
  • Secured an appropriate public education
  • Overcame barrier to enrollment in school
  • Obtained bilingual services
  • Obtained school transportation
  • Obtained special government programs for schools
  • Obtained juvenile court order compelling LEA to provide services and/or information
  • Obtained necessary supplemental or related educational services
  • Obtained compensatory education
  • Eliminated inequity in services/resources available to the student
  • Obtained identification/assistance educational issue for sibling

Vocational Education

  • Assisted student in accessing vocational education

Student Financial Aid

  • Dollar value of lump sum obtained for education
  • Dollar value of monthly benefit obtained for education
  • Resolved school fee waiver

Other Education

  • Obtained correction of school records
  • Retention avoided
  • Obtained representation in an education matter—no other outcome
  • Obtained advice and counsel on an education matter
  • Obtained non-litigation advocacy services on an education matter
  • Obtained bullying interventions
  • Obtained compliance complaint ruling against school policy/practice
  • Obtained other benefit on an education matter

Employment

Employment Discrimination

  • Overcame or obtained redress for job discrimination
  • Obtained affirmative action plan

Wage Claims and Other FLSA Issues

  • Obtained wages and/or back pay due
  • Received assistance with filing of small claims case to recover back pay
  • Obtained judgment for wages and/or back pay due but unable to collect
  • Received assistance and monitoring to recover back pay filed with state or federal agency
  • Eliminated minimum wage violation
  • Obtained wage increase, if so, how much?
  • Obtained, preserved, or increased employment benefit such as pensions

Taxes (Not EITC)

  • Obtained assistance with tax issues
  • Obtained advice and counsel with tax issue

Other Employment

  • Obtained, preserved, or increased worker's compensation
  • Obtained job training services
  • Obtained referral on an employment matter
  • Obtained advice and counsel on an employment matter
  • Obtained representation in an employment matter-no other outcome
  • Obtained non-litigation advocacy services on an employment matter
  • Obtained other benefit on an employment matter
  • Avoided wrongful placement or termination of training
  • Avoided or obtained redress for wrongful discharge/termination of employment
  • Delayed discharge
  • Obtained job
  • Obtained promotion
  • Resolved on-the-job issues such as safety or grievance procedures
  • Obtained administrative relief from misconduct charge
  • Obtained work authorization
  • Overcame illegal or unfair application of welfare work requirement
  • Obtained expungement of criminal record

Family

Adoption

  • Obtained adoption for dependent child
  • Obtained care of child guardian/adoptive

Custody/Visitation

  • Obtained or maintained custody of children
  • Obtained or preserved right to visitation
  • Prepared agreement for temporary change in custody
  • Obtained guardianship or conservatorship
  • Prevented guardianship or conservatorship
  • Avoided termination of parental rights
  • Avoided protective order/removal of children

Divorce/Separation/Annulment

  • Negotiated separation agreement
  • Obtained a divorce or annulment (or legal separation)
  • Secured separation/property settlement agreement
  • Enforced separation/property settlement agreement
  • Obtained assistance in securing separation/property settlement agreement
  • Obtained assistance in enforcing separation/property settlement agreement
  • Obtained assistance in negotiating separation agreement
  • Obtained assigned divorce counsel

Adult Guardian/Conservatorship

  • Obtained guardianship/conservatorship for disabled adult
  • Resisted or terminated guardianship for a disabled adult
  • Obtained advice and counsel on guardianship and/or power of attorney

Paternity

  • Established paternity for child

Domestic Abuse

  • Obtained protection from domestic violence
  • Obtained protection from domestic violence for a client aged 60 or over
  • Obtained/extended civil restraining order
  • Received improved safety option-law enforcement
  • Received improved safety option-civil remedy
  • Received information on enhanced safety plan
  • Received assistance responding to sexual violence
  • Decided not to pursue civil legal remedy
  • Obtained custody/visitation order-enhance safety
  • Received improved safety option-DV shelter
  • Obtain housing outcome-safety plan
  • Obtained/preserved government benefits in safety plan
  • Obtained legal remedy-sexual violence
  • Worked with client to enhance safety plan
  • Developed  response to sexual violence
  • Guns taken or access limited
  • Intervention—child in parental safety plan
  • Extensive collaboration with shelter advocate
  • Obtained employment outcome in safety plan
  • Obtained protection from adult abuse or neglect
  • Obtained protection from adult financial exploitation
  • Received legal intervention/advocacy for children
  • Modified visitation order for protection of child
  • Obtained child protective order
  • Obtained protection for children relocation
  • Obtained assistance with safety planning

Support

  • Obtained, preserved, or increased spousal support
  • Dollar value of monthly spousal support payments
  • Obtained alimony lump sum recovery
  • Dollar value of back spousal support
  • Secured alimony
  • Obtained downward modification of spousal support
  • Increased spousal support
  • Obtained equitable distribution of marital property
  • Obtained/maintained residential property
  • Obtained portion of spouse retirement benefits
  • Obtained equitable distribution of non-retirement assets
  • Obtained equitable allocation responsible debt
  • Obtained/maintained personal property/vehicle
  • Obtained, preserved, or increased child support
  • Obtained child support/health insurance
  • Dollar value of monthly child support payments
  • Obtained child support lump sum recovery
  • Dollar value of back child support
  • Obtained child support enforcement services
  • State funds saved: TANF (obtained alimony/child support)
  • State funds saved: DOR costs to obtain child support order
  • Obtained downward modification of child support
  • Decreased child support on behalf of disabled parent
  • Obtained protection from unlawful collection of child support
  • Obtained protections from inappropriate sanctions

Other Family

  • Obtained foster care services
  • Improved terms of foster care plan
  • Obtained name change
  • Obtained family reunification
  • Obtained referral on a family matter
  • Obtained advice on guardianship/conservatorship
  • Obtained advice and counsel on a family matter
  • Obtained non-litigation advocacy services on a family matter
  • Obtained representation in a family matter—no other outcome
  • Obtained Guardian ad Litem services in a family matter
  • Obtained other benefit on a family matter
  • Client’s relationship with his or her children/other family members has been strengthened/protected
  • Client decided not to pursue legal remedy
  • Immigrant family unit kept intact
  • Established appropriate jurisdiction or venue in family law matter
  • Helped non-parent in DCFS action
  • Avoided or reversed administrative/judicial finding of child abuse/neglect
  • Obtained name change

Juvenile

Delinquent

  • Secured acquittal in delinquency case
  • Secured reduced charges in delinquency case
  • Secured residential treatment alternative to commitment to DJJ in delinquency case
  • Secured community-based disposition in delinquency case
  • Obtained appropriate service plan for child in custody of DJJ
  • Obtained appropriate re-entry plan for child in custody of DJJ

Neglected/Abused/Dependent

  • Obtained representation about child abuse/neglect
  • Secured finding of abuse and neglect against parents

Emancipation

  • Obtained benefit of emancipation

Other Juvenile

  • Obtained referral on a juvenile matter
  • Obtained representation on a juvenile matter—no other outcome
  • Obtained non-litigation advocacy services on a juvenile matter
  • Obtained other benefit on a juvenile matter
  • Compelled local CPMT to provide necessary services for juvenile
  • Compelled other public agency (such as mental health services) to provide services for juvenile required or authorized by law
  • Improved terms of foster care plan
  • Maintained placement of child with family in delinquency or CHINS case
  • Obtained advice and counsel on a juvenile matter
  • Secured appropriate services in CHINSup case
  • Secured dismissal of CHINS charges
  • Secured necessary services through filing of CHINS petition
  • Obtained unification of family
  • Obtained,prevented termination,or limited parental rights
  • Obtained benefits in a PINS case
  • Obtained Section 504 plan for child
  • Obtained stable/permanent placement for child
  • Obtained/increased benefits/services for DCF or other
  • Other juvenile

Health

Medicaid

  • Obtained assistance with Medicaid planning

Medicare

  • Obtained/protected access to Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy

Other Health

  • Obtained, preserved, or increased individual access to health care
  • Obtained/protected Medicare/Medicaid provider
  • Obtained/protected Medicare/Medicaid benefits
  • Prevented abuse or premature discharge, or assured quality care, in nursing home, assisted living facility, or mental treatment facility
  • Obtained discharge from nursing home, assisted living facility or mental treatment facility
  • Obtained admission to nursing home/assisted living
  • Protected from premature/inappropriate discharge
  • Obtained investigation of abuse and neglect in institutional setting
  • Protected from abuse—institution/provider
  • Protected from inappropriate institutionalization
  • Stopped, or obtained redress for, harmful medical treatment
  • Protected from inappropriate medical treatment
  • Obtained other financial assistance on a medical bill
  • Obtained, preserved or increased assistive technology devices/services
  • Obtained—or enforced terms of—health, long-term care, or disability insurance
  • Gained/protected access to medical savings programs
  • Obtained/preserved benefit—money follows person
  • Obtained long-term care planning
  • Obtained/preserved home care benefits
  • Comprehensive planning advice—health care
  • Obtained referral on a health matter
  • Obtained advice and counsel on a health matter
  • Obtained non-litigation advocacy services on a health matter
  • Obtained other benefit on a health matter

Housing

Federally Subsidized Housing

  • Federally subsidized housing created/preserved
  • Protected Section 8 eligibility
  • Obtained or protected housing subsidy
  • Prevented eviction from subsidized housing

Homeownership/Real Property (Not Foreclosure)

  • Obtained clear title to property
  • Successfully defended or prosecuted home ownership interest
  • Obtained exclusive possession of home
  • Obtained, preserved, or increased rights of home purchaser through a land sales contract

Private Landlord/Tenant

  • Avoided or obtained redress for illegal or unfair charges by landlord
  • Avoided or prevented eviction from private housing
  • Delayed eviction from private housing
  • Delayed eviction providing time to seek alternative housing
  • Private housing underpayment/overpayment remedied
  • Obtained return of security deposit
  • Overcame denial of tenant's rights under lease
  • Obtained assistance utilizing grievance process

Public Housing

  • Dollar value of monthly public housing benefit
  • Prevented denial of public housing tenant's rights
  • Prevented eviction from public housing
  • Delayed eviction from public housing
  • Obtained or preserved public or subsidized housing
  • Settled estate

Mobile Homes

  • Mobile home conditions improved
  • Mobile home created/preserved
  • Mobile home eviction prevented
  • Mobile home underpayment/overpayment remedied
  • Obtained, preserved, or increased right of manufactured home owner

Housing Discrimination

  • Enforced housing anti-discrimination laws
  • Overcame—or obtained redress for—discrimination in obtaining housing

Mortgage Foreclosures (Not Predatory Lending/Practices)

  • Avoided or delayed foreclosure or other loss of home
  • Foreclosure action defeated—claim based on loan origination
  • Foreclosure action defeated—claims based on loan servicing
  • Foreclosure sale stopped
  • Home saved brought current with Hardest Hit Funds
  • Home saved Chapter 13—plan confirmed
  • Home saved Chapter 13 completed
  • Home saved Chapter 13 filed—automatic stay
  • Home saved forbearance
  • Home saved HAMP final modification
  • Home saved HAMP TPP modification
  • Home saved repayment agreement

Other Housing

  • Averted/ended homelessness
  • Client’s current housing is safer
  • Emergency housing assistance obtained
  • Enforced rights to decent, habitable housing
  • Enforced tenant housing rights (e.g., right to habitable housing, right to safe housing)
  • Obtained repairs to dwelling/improved housing conditions
  • Loan modification
  • Migrant housing created/preserved
  • Migrant housing eviction prevented
  • Migrant housing rights enforced
  • Migrant housing underpayment/overpayment remedied
  • Obtained access to housing
  • Obtained additional time in housing
  • Obtained assistance in the construction, development, rehabilitation, or renovation of affordable housing
  • Obtained help in development/renovation of housing
  • Obtained housing-related financial settlement
  • Preserved or restored access to personal property
  • Successfully challenged jurisdiction
  • FEMA  temporary housing obtained
  • Obtained prevention of lockout/illegal entry
  • Prevented eviction from other housing
  • Obtained referral on a housing matter
  • Obtained advice and counsel on a housing matter
  • Obtained representation on a housing matter—no other outcome
  • Obtained non-litigation advocacy services on a housing matter
  • Obtained other benefit on a housing matter

Income Maintenance

TANF

  • TANF—wages benefits acquired
  • AFDC/wages clients rights within wages program enforced
  • AFDC/wages education participation tailored to clients' desires
  • Overcame denial of emergency assistance by DSS

TANF/Employment

  • Overcame illegal or unfair application of welfare work requirement

Food Stamps

  • Obtained, preserved, or increased food stamp eligibility
  • Food stamps clients' rights within program enforced
  • Food stamps sanctions/fraud referral redressed
  • Food stamps underpayment/overpayment corrected

SSDI

  • Obtained, preserved, or increased SSDI benefit/right
  • Obtained SSDI lump sum recovery
  • SSDI monthly payment received

SSI

  • SSI overpayment waived
  • Workout of SSI/SSDI overpayment
  • Obtained, preserved, or increased SSI benefit/right
  • Social Security clients' rights within program enforced
  • Social Security underpayment/overpayment corrected

Unemployment Compensation

  • Obtained unemployment benefits
  • Obtained, preserved, or increased unemployment insurance benefits/rights
  • Workout of unemployment insurance overpayment

Veterans Benefits

  • Obtained, preserved, or increased veterans benefits/rights
  • Veterans benefits client's rights within program enforced

Other Income Maintenance

  • Obtained, preserved or increased public assistance, TANF, or other welfare benefit/right
  • Overcame denial of emergency assistance by DSS
  • Obtained, preserved, or increased black lung benefits/rights
  • Obtained referral on an income maintenance matter
  • Obtained representation on an income maintenance matter—no other outcome
  • Obtained advice and counsel on an income maintenance matter
  • Obtained non-litigation advocacy services on an income maintenance matter
  • Client/family off welfare due to other benefits obtained
  • Client/family off welfare due to obtaining support
  • Overcame discrimination in obtaining credit
  • Debts eliminated without bankruptcy
  • FEMA benefits obtained
  • FEMA benefits increased
  • Obtained advice and counsel with tax issue
  • Obtained, preserved, or increased income through a pooled trust
  • Solved tax problem
  • Avoided wrongful placement or termination of training
  • Obtained assistance with business start up/development

Individual Rights

Immigration/Naturalization

  • Alien obtained adjustment of legal status
  • U Visa eligible client—immigrant avoided deportation
  • U Visa eligible client—immigrant family kept intact
  • U Visa eligible client—immigrant obtained asylum
  • Immigrant obtained citizenship
  • Immigrant obtained employment authorization or obtained or replaced green card
  • Obtained citizenship
  • U Visa eligible client—asylum granted
  • U Visa eligible client—undocumented immigrant obtained legal status
  • Obtained legal status (e.g., U Visa, T Visa, VAWA, etc.)
  • Obtained other benefit on an immigration matter

Civil Rights

  • Ended discrimination in private services
  • Ended discrimination in public services
  • Obtained tort relief under civil rights claim
  • Obtained, preserved, or increased civil rights
  • Overcame district's challenge to residency
  • Prevented discrimination against disabled person

Other Individual Rights

  • Obtained, preserved, or improved access to public facilities/accommodations
  • Client has more peace of mind
  • Client is physically safer
  • Client less likely to lose relationships or items of value
  • Client’s vulnerable physical or mental health is more stable
  • Obtained a conservator
  • Had conservator removed—non-elderly
  • Obtained administrative relief from misconduct
  • Obtained referral on an individual rights matter
  • Obtained advice and counsel in a disability-related matter (non-SSI/SSD)
  • Obtained an adverse decision in a disability-related matter (non-SSI/SSD)
  • Obtained discharge from institutional setting (i.e., hospital, nursing home)
  • Obtained protective order for victim of stalking
  • Obtained reasonable accommodation of disability in public benefit program
  • Obtained advice and counsel on an individual rights matter
  • Obtained advice on power of attorney
  • Obtained durable Power of Attorney—non-elderly
  • Obtained investigation of abuse and neglect in institutional setting
  • Obtained long-term care planning
  • Obtained no contact order for victim of sexual assault
  • Obtained non-litigation advocacy services in a disability-related matter (non-SSI/SSD)
  • Obtained non-litigation advocacy services on an individual rights matter
  • Obtained or preserved rights of disabled persons
  • Obtained or preserved rights of institutionalized persons
  • Obtained other benefit on an individual rights matter
  • Obtained other benefits related to rights of disabled persons
  • Obtained relief or redress from constitutional violation
  • Obtained representation in a disability related matter—no other outcome
  • Obtained representation in an individual rights matter—no other outcome
  • Obtained revocation of power of attorney
  • Obtained validation of abuse or neglect in institutional setting
  • Obtained VAWA protection for non-citizen victim
  • Obtained, preserved, or increased access to public facilities/accommodations
  • Obtained, preserved, or increased eligibility for assistance by immigrants
  • Obtained, preserved, or increased the benefits and rights of a disabled person
  • Obtained, preserved, or increased the benefits or rights of an institutionalized person
  • Preserved or restored access to personal property
  • Prevented nursing home abuse or assured nursing home quality care
  • Secured access to or maintained health care for disabled person
  • Secured access to or maintained housing for disabled person
  • Secured appropriate treatment plans in institutional setting
  • Secured community residential and support services
  • Secured or maintained assistive technology devices/services
  • Secured vocational rehabilitation training services
  • Secured, maintained or advanced employment (disabled person)
  • Vindicated rights in real property

Miscellaneous

Legal Assistance to Nonprofit Organization or Group (Including Incorporation/Dissolution)

  • Obtained incorporation/tax exempt status
  • Tax exempt (1023 application, charitable registration, sales tax exemption

Indian/Tribal Law

  • Indian/tribal law

Licenses: Drivers, Occupational, and Others

  • Avoided or overcame illegal taking or restrictions on driver's license

Wills/Estates

  • Obtained a will
  • Obtained a living will/advanced directive or health proxy or power of attorney
  • Obtained advice and counsel on wills or estate matters
  • Obtained advice and counsel on wills, estate or life planning matters

Other Miscellaneous

  • Agency decision reversed or modified
  • Obtained availability of services by private lawyer
  • Assisted client with collection of a judgment
  • Obtained representation in affirmative litigation
  • Obtained representation in defensive litigation
  • Lifted household out of poverty
  • Obtained transfer of venue
  • Obtained benefit—none of the above—specify:
  • Client withdrew or benefit unknown
  • Obtained other lump sum recovery
  • Obtained lump sum recovery
  • Secured lump sum avoidance
  • Obtained monthly recovery
  • Obtained monthly avoidance
  • Obtained other monthly payment received
  • State funds saved: other
  • Obtained emergency assistance
  • Vacated illegal levy
  • Defended a torts action
  • Obtained assistance with other structural or governance issues
  • Obtained assistance with regulatory/licensing issue
  • Interpretation of laws, regulation, or orders
  • Obtained heap
  • Responded to a request from governmental agency or official (1612.6)
  • Obtained assistance with other structural or governance issues
  • Avoided or reduced tort judgement
  • Obtained referral on a miscellaneous matter