Meta: A 2025 plain-language guide to free and low-cost civil legal aid in Allentown, Pennsylvania — including verified local providers, eligibility details, common case types, and preparation tips. Not legal advice.
Legal Aid in Allentown, PA: Where to Get Help If You Can’t Afford a Lawyer
If you live in Allentown and cannot afford a private attorney, several local and statewide organizations offer free or low-cost civil legal services. These groups assist with housing and eviction defense, family law, domestic violence, debt and consumer issues, elder law, and benefits disputes. (You can also upload legal documents to LegalClarity for a plain-English explanation — informational only, not legal advice.)
Major Legal Aid Providers Serving Allentown
North Penn Legal Services (NPLS) — Lehigh Valley Office
What they do: NPLS is the main provider of free civil legal aid in the Lehigh Valley region, covering Lehigh and Northampton counties. Their services include eviction defense, landlord–tenant disputes, domestic violence and custody issues, consumer and debt problems, public-benefits denials, elder law, and disability rights.
Who they help: Low-income residents, seniors, veterans, and survivors of domestic violence who meet income and eligibility requirements.
Contact: 559 Main Street, Suite 200, Bethlehem, PA 18018. Phone: (610) 317-8757. Toll-free: 1-877-953-4250. Website: northpennlegal.org.
Lehigh County Bar Association — Lawyer Referral and Pro Bono Programs
What they do: Operates a Lawyer Referral Service for low-cost consultations and coordinates pro bono legal programs for residents who cannot afford legal representation. Typical areas include family law, landlord–tenant, and consumer issues.
Who they help: Residents of Lehigh County seeking low-cost or volunteer legal assistance.
Contact: 1114 W Walnut Street, Allentown, PA 18102. Phone: (610) 433-7094. Website: lehighbar.org.
Crime Victims Council of the Lehigh Valley — Legal Advocacy
What they do: Provides legal advocacy for survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and harassment. Services include help with Protection From Abuse (PFA) orders, accompaniment to court, and safety planning.
Who they help: Victims and survivors of abuse, regardless of income or immigration status.
Contact: 801 Hamilton Street, Suite 300, Allentown, PA 18101. 24-hour hotline: (610) 437-6611. Website: cvclv.org.
Lehigh University Community Service Office — Legal Aid Clinics
What they do: Coordinates periodic community legal clinics in partnership with local attorneys and North Penn Legal Services. Clinics offer free consultations for housing, debt, and family-law issues.
Who they help: Low-income residents of the greater Allentown–Bethlehem–Easton area.
Contact: Email incas@lehigh.edu or check the events calendar at lehigh.edu/communityservice.
Common Civil-Legal Issues Covered in Allentown
- Eviction defense and tenant–landlord disputes
- Unsafe housing or repairs
- Domestic violence and custody protective orders
- Child support, visitation, and family law
- Debt collection, bankruptcy referrals, and consumer fraud
- Public-benefits problems (SNAP, Medicaid, SSI/SSDI, unemployment)
- Elder law, guardianship, and exploitation prevention
- Disability rights and accommodations
What Allentown Legal Aid Usually Cannot Handle
- Criminal defense or traffic offenses
- Personal-injury or malpractice lawsuits
- Business or commercial litigation
- High-asset divorce or complex property cases
When Allentown Residents Should Seek Help Immediately
- You receive an eviction notice or court complaint: Contact North Penn Legal Services immediately — deadlines are short.
- You experience domestic violence or need a PFA order: Call the Crime Victims Council hotline at (610) 437-6611.
- Your benefits are denied or cut off: Appeals must be filed quickly — NPLS can assist.
- You receive debt-collection or wage-garnishment papers: Don’t ignore them — seek help before the court date.
- You are a senior or disabled person facing housing issues: NPLS has programs for elder and disability legal aid.
How to Prepare Before Contacting Legal Aid
- Gather documents: Leases, eviction notices, benefit letters, pay stubs, debt notices, court papers, and ID.
- Prepare a summary: Write 2–3 sentences about your problem and what help you need.
- List key dates: Court hearings, eviction filings, or benefit deadlines.
- Provide proof of income: Pay stubs or benefit statements help determine eligibility.
- Highlight urgent issues: Eviction risk, domestic violence, or loss of benefits.
Alternatives If You Don’t Qualify for Free Legal Aid
- Low-cost attorneys: The Lehigh County Bar Association offers a Lawyer Referral Service for affordable consultations. (lehighbar.org)
- Self-help legal resources: Visit PALawHelp.org for forms and guides on Pennsylvania law.
- Community legal clinics: Check Lehigh University’s calendar for upcoming free legal events.
- LegalClarity tools: Upload documents for plain-English explanations — informational only, not legal advice.
Conclusion: Where Allentown Residents Should Start
If you need civil legal help in Allentown and cannot afford a lawyer, begin by contacting North Penn Legal Services at (610) 317-8757 or toll-free at 1-877-953-4250. For urgent protection-from-abuse cases, call the Crime Victims Council hotline at (610) 437-6611. If you do not qualify for free services, reach out to the Lehigh County Bar Association for a referral or use LegalClarity’s tools for plain-language explanations — informational only, not legal advice.