Jun 16th 2008, 07:40

Budget for free legal aid gets beefed up by $40M

More good news for struggling Americans in need of legal aid! The House Appropriations Subcommitttee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies gave the thumbs-up to a $390-million budget for the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) for the fiscal year 2009, an increase of about $40 million over last year's budget.

The budgetary increase was preceded by a call from LSC officials to close the justice gap for low-income Americans by beefing up the government's funding for the corporation. The LSC, which was formed by Congress in 1974, is the primary source of funding for civil legal assistance, and is likewise tasked to provide quality legal aid to low-income Americans all over the country.

According to a 2005 report by the corporation, however, inadequate funds have always prevented the LSC from reaching out to as many as 50% of eligible, low-income applicants who need their help in various legal matters. Many of these applicants include poor families who face the threat of homelessness, women who suffer from domestic violence and abuse, elderly or disabled people, and even veterans. "Our low-income clients and those who seek to become our clients confront the justice gap every day," emphasized LSC President Helaine Barnett. “They are the ones for whom we must close the gap, one eligible person, one family, one opportunity at a time."

With the funding boost, the LSC hopes that it can offer its services to more needy Americans in dire need of legal assistance. To find out if you qualify for legal aid from LSC or to get a better understanding of how their programs can help you, forward your questions to their offices in Washington, D.C.



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