Client Eligibility Criteria

Income Eligibility

Eligibility for low income persons changes each year and depends on family size, household income and the assets available to the household. LSNM intake staff will ask for information to assess this eligibility before a potential client receives any advice from an attorney. We will determine eligibility, on a case by case basis, according to our program policies and the requirements of our funding sources.

The majority of our legal services are available for persons who are at or slightly over the Federal poverty levels. In general, we are able to help persons with a total household income at or below 125% of the Federal poverty level. In some eligibility circumstances, we are able to help persons with a total household income up to 187.5% of the Federal poverty level if they have other qualifying circumstances.

Service to seniors is not restricted based upon financial eligibility, however priority is given to those who are vulnerable and low income.

Asset Eligibility

To be eligible, an applicant cannot have more than $15,000 in countable assets. Survivors of domestic violence need only report those assets they have exclusive control over, not those controlled by or owned jointly with their abuser.

Examples of countable assets include ordinary bank accounts, recreational vehicles, and rental properties. Assets such as the home you live in, a vehicle you use for transportation, retirement accounts, and household items are not countable assets. In certain circumstances, if you do not have access to or control of assets, they may not be counted.

Due to funding restrictions, we are not able to help:

• Incarcerated persons
• Certain non-citizens (except for matters involving domestic abuse, sexual assault, and human trafficking)

Please contact your local office to request a determination of eligibility if you are in need of legal help.