Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Request
Congress created LSC in 1974 to ensure that low-income individuals and families have access to assistance to resolve civil legal problems that impact their safety and stability. As a grant-making organization, LSC distributes more than 94% of its federal appropriation to eligible nonprofits delivering free legal assistance.
In light of the persistent justice gap in the United States, LSC seeks $2.1 billion from Congress for FY2027 – an amount that would enable LSC-funded legal services organizations to serve the close to two million eligible applicants they currently turn away due to lack of resources.
The Need
of civil legal problems faced by low-income Americans receive inadequate or no legal help.
of eligible applicants – 1.8 million people – are turned away each year by LSC grantees due to insufficient resources
of those helped receive full representation, with the remaining receiving legal advice or brief services
The Solution
would fully meet the legal needs of every eligible low-income applicant
would maintain the status quo, helping half of eligible applicants
The Investment
Legal assistance is prudent federal spending.
More than 50 economic impact studies show that every $1 invested in civil legal assistance returns an average of $7. Resolving legal problems early saves taxpayer dollars by reducing reliance on government and emergency services, improving stabilities in workers’ and families’ lives, and increasing people’s ability to participate meaningfully in their local economies.
Discover the Stories
Veterans
Air Force vet Ray Haag lived a modest but secure life with his Social Security and veterans' benefits. But when a serious illness forced him into a nursing home in his home state of Ohio, he quickly found himself overwhelmed by debt. That's when LSC-funded legal assistance stepped in.
Seniors
Carolyn Rivera has lived in her Texas home for 45 years. It's where she raised her children. And today, serves as a disaster recovery hub for her community. When an improper lien from a scam contractor put her home at risk, LSC-funded legal help got involved.
Families
Maryruth Moore had already secured a protection order against her husband when she decided she wanted to permanently separate. The Alaskan mom wanted a divorce and more importantly, custody of her four children. When the mountain of forms and complexity of the system became overwhelming, she turned to LSC-funded legal assistance for help.
Rural Americans
Nick Smith can't live on his own. His father, Tim, was scared about what would happen to his adult son after being denied disability benefits. Thankfully, LSC-funded legal services were there to help this Montana family.