If you’re wondering when you might qualify for free legal help from a legal aid organization — this guide explains what criteria most offices look at. It helps you understand whether you might be eligible and what information you’ll need when you apply.

How Legal Aid Programs Decide Who Qualifies

Legal aid (often called civil legal aid) is designed to help people who can’t afford a lawyer but need legal help with serious civil matters. (LSC) — the largest funder of civil-legal aid in the U.S. — lists its clients as individuals and families who meet income eligibility requirements.

1. Income and Household Size

Most legal aid offices set eligibility based on how your household income compares with the federal poverty guidelines. Common thresholds include:

• Income at or below roughly 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
• Some offices may accept households with income up to ~200% of the Poverty Guidelines, depending on funding and available resources.

Which guideline applies depends on your local legal aid office and the type of case. When you contact them, they will ask for household size and income before taxes.

2. Asset and Financial Resources (Sometimes)

Some legal aid providers also check whether you have significant assets or savings. For example, some offices exclude people who have high bank balances, valuable property, or non-essential assets — beyond basic home, car, or retirement accounts.

3. The Type of Legal Problem

Eligibility isn’t just about money. Legal aid tends to focus on civil legal issues that affect basic needs or essential rights. Common case types include:

• Housing problems (eviction, unsafe housing, landlord disputes)
• Family law issues (custody, support, domestic-violence protective orders)
• Public benefits problems (wrongful denial or loss of benefits like disability, Medicaid, SNAP)
• Consumer/debt issues, wage or employment disputes — depending on the office’s priorities.

Some legal aid offices prioritize cases involving seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, domestic-violence survivors, or other especially vulnerable people.

4. Citizenship or Legal Status (in Some Offices)

For certain legal aid offices, as part of eligibility you or someone in your household might need to meet particular residency or immigration-status requirements. For instance, one legal aid office in Chicago lists U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, asylum seekers, refugees, or certain crime-victim visa holders among eligible clients.

5. Meeting Program Priorities and Capacity

Even if you meet income and case type criteria, legal aid offices often have limited resources. That means they screen cases and may accept only the most urgent or high-impact ones.

What You’ll Be Asked When You Apply

When you contact a legal aid office (by phone, online, or in person), expect an intake or screening interview. They typically ask for:

• Household income (pay stubs, tax returns, benefits statements, etc.)
• Household size and composition (who lives with you and shares income/support)
• Details about your legal problem (eviction notice, denial letter, court date, landlord name, etc.)
• Any assets or savings you may have (bank accounts, property, etc.) in some cases
• Residency or immigration status — depending on the office

Based on this, they decide whether they can accept your case. Even if you qualify financially, they may still turn down representation if demand is high or the case isn’t a priority.

What Happens If You Don’t Qualify — or There’s No Capacity

If you don’t meet eligibility criteria or there isn’t space, many legal aid offices still try to help. They may offer:

• Self-help resources and guides (forms, how-to instructions, information)
• Referrals to other organizations, volunteer lawyers, or low-cost legal services
• Brief advice or consultation — even if not full representation

FAQ — Common Questions About Who Qualifies

Q: What income level makes me eligible for legal aid?

A: Many legal aid offices serve households earning up to about 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. But some offices accept up to 200% of those guidelines — or consider other financial factors if you have special circumstances.

Q: If I have some savings or own a car, does that disqualify me?

A: Not automatically — but some legal aid offices consider assets when deciding eligibility. Basic items like a home where you live, a vehicle for transportation, or retirement accounts are often excluded. But large bank balances, extra properties, or certain investments might affect eligibility.

Q: Does legal aid help with any kind of legal problem?

No. Legal aid usually covers civil issues that affect housing, family, benefits, consumer/debt, or other essential needs. Criminal cases, traffic tickets, or certain high-cost civil matters are often outside legal aid scope.

Q: Do I need to be a U.S. citizen to get help?

It depends on the office. Some legal aid organizations require U.S. citizenship or legal immigration status. Others may offer help to survivors of domestic violence, trafficking, or other crime victims regardless of status.

Q: What if the legal aid office says they don’t have space — can they help me anyway?

Possibly. Many offices offer self-help tools, referral to other services, or limited advice. Even if they can’t represent you, they may still provide guidance or resources.

Q: What should I have ready when I call a legal aid office?

Have proof of your income (pay-stubs, benefits letters), household information (who lives with you), any relevant legal paperwork (eviction notice, denial letter, court date), and basic ID or residency documentation. That helps them decide quickly whether you qualify.

Summary — Qualifying for Legal Aid

To qualify for legal aid, you typically need to have a low or modest income compared with your household size, and your legal issue needs to fall under civil legal aid’s usual scope — such as housing, family, benefits, or debt problems. Even then, because demand is high and resources limited, legal aid offices may screen cases and give priority to urgent matters. If you don’t qualify, you may still find help through self-help tools, referrals, or low-cost legal services.

It’s worth contacting your local legal aid office — because eligibility rules and priorities vary, and staff can help you understand your options.