Legal Services Corporation (LSC) Programs
The Legal Services Corporation is the single largest funder of civil legal aid in the United States. Congress created LSC in 1974, and it currently funds 132 independent nonprofit legal aid programs with offices in every state, territory, and county. These programs collectively employ thousands of attorneys who represent low-income individuals in civil matters at no charge.
To find your local program, visit lsc.gov/find-legal-aid and enter your zip code. You will be connected with the legal aid office serving your area. Eviction defense is one of the most common case types handled by LSC-funded programs.
What LSC-Funded Programs Can Do
- Represent you in court for eviction proceedings
- Negotiate with your landlord for more time or a payment plan
- Help you assert defenses (uninhabitable conditions, retaliation, discrimination)
- Draft or review settlement agreements
- Advise you on your rights under state and federal tenant protection laws
- Help with subsidized housing issues (Section 8 voucher terminations, public housing grievances)
Income Eligibility
Most LSC-funded programs set income limits at 125% of the federal poverty guidelines. Some programs extend eligibility to 200% for certain case types. For 2026, the approximate income limits at 125% of the poverty level are:
- 1-person household: approximately $19,000/year
- 2-person household: approximately $25,800/year
- 3-person household: approximately $32,500/year
- 4-person household: approximately $39,300/year
Even if your income is slightly above these limits, call anyway. Many programs make exceptions for people facing emergencies such as imminent eviction, domestic violence, or disability. Some programs also have separate funding sources with higher income limits.
National Legal Aid Directories
Several national directories can help you find free or low-cost legal help, even if your local LSC office is unable to take your case.
- LawHelp.org - The most comprehensive legal aid directory in the country. Search by state and legal topic to find local programs, self-help guides, and court forms. Maintained by Pro Bono Net.
- LSC.gov Legal Aid Finder - Search by zip code to find your nearest LSC-funded legal aid program.
- 211.org or dial 2-1-1 - United Way's helpline connects you to local social services including legal aid, rental assistance, food banks, and utility help. Available 24/7 in most areas.
- State bar association lawyer referral services - Most state bar associations operate lawyer referral programs that can connect you with attorneys who offer free or reduced-fee initial consultations. Search "[your state] bar association lawyer referral" online.
- CFPB Housing Resources - The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau maintains guides on renter rights, foreclosure prevention, and housing counseling agencies.
Tenant Right to Counsel
A growing number of cities and states have enacted "right to counsel" laws that guarantee free legal representation for tenants facing eviction, regardless of income. These laws recognize that tenants who have an attorney are significantly more likely to remain in their homes - studies consistently show that represented tenants win or settle their cases at rates far higher than unrepresented tenants.
Cities and States with Right to Counsel Laws
As of 2026, jurisdictions that have enacted some form of right to counsel for tenants include:
- New York City - Universal access to counsel for tenants in zip codes with highest eviction rates (2017)
- San Francisco, CA - Right to counsel for all tenants facing eviction (2018)
- Seattle/King County, WA - Right to counsel for tenants below 200% FPL (2021)
- Baltimore, MD - Access to counsel program for low-income tenants (2020)
- Cleveland, OH - Right to counsel for tenants below 100% FPL (2019)
- Philadelphia, PA - Right to counsel for low-income tenants (2019)
- Minneapolis/Hennepin County, MN - Right to counsel program (2021)
- Kansas City, MO - Right to counsel for qualifying tenants
- Connecticut - Statewide right to counsel in eviction cases (2021)
- Washington State - Statewide right to counsel for eligible tenants (2021)
- Maryland - Statewide access to counsel for tenants (2021)
This list is expanding. Check the National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel (civilrighttocounsel.org) for current information on your jurisdiction. Even if your city does not have a formal right to counsel, many cities fund eviction defense programs that provide free representation to tenants who meet income guidelines.
Law School Clinics
Many law schools operate free legal clinics that handle housing and eviction cases. These clinics are staffed by law students working under the close supervision of licensed attorneys who are faculty members. Clinics provide high-quality representation because students are carefully supervised, highly motivated, and often able to devote more time to individual cases than overburdened legal aid attorneys.
How to Find a Law School Clinic
- Search "[your city] law school housing clinic" or "[your state] law school eviction clinic"
- Contact the law schools in your area directly and ask about clinical programs
- Check LawHelp.org, which lists many law school clinics alongside other legal aid providers
- Ask your local legal aid office - they often refer cases to law school clinics when they are at capacity
What Clinics Typically Handle
- Eviction defense and unlawful detainer cases
- Security deposit disputes
- Habitability complaints and repair requests
- Lease review and negotiation
- Subsidized housing issues and administrative hearings
- Discrimination complaints under the Fair Housing Act
Clinic availability varies by semester and case type. Contact them early - many clinics have waitlists, and cases accepted at the start of a semester receive the most attention.
Emergency Tenant Resources and Hotlines
If you are facing an immediate eviction or housing emergency, these resources may be able to help on short notice.
- Dial 2-1-1 - United Way's helpline operates in most areas 24/7. They can connect you to emergency rental assistance, shelters, food banks, and legal aid in your community.
- HUD Housing Counseling - Call 1-800-569-4287 or visit hud.gov/counseling to find a HUD-approved housing counseling agency near you. These agencies provide free advice on rental issues, foreclosure prevention, and credit counseling.
- Emergency Rental Assistance Programs (ERAP) - Many states and localities still administer emergency rental assistance programs that can pay back rent directly to your landlord. Contact your local community action agency or 2-1-1 to find programs in your area.
- Salvation Army and St. Vincent de Paul - Both organizations provide emergency rental assistance in many communities. Contact your local chapter.
- Community Action Agencies - Federally funded agencies in every county that administer emergency assistance programs. Find yours at communityactionpartnership.com.
Types of Legal Help Available
Free legal aid programs provide different levels of service depending on their capacity and your situation.
Full Representation
An attorney handles your entire case from start to finish, including appearing in court on your behalf. This is the most comprehensive level of service and is typically reserved for cases with the strongest need or where the stakes are highest (imminent eviction with children, domestic violence situations, disability).
Limited Scope Representation
An attorney helps with a specific part of your case - for example, drafting your answer to an eviction complaint, representing you at a single hearing, or reviewing a settlement offer. You handle the rest yourself. This is sometimes called "unbundled" legal services.
Legal Advice and Counsel
You meet with an attorney who reviews your situation, explains your rights, identifies your legal options, and advises you on next steps. You then handle the case yourself with the benefit of that guidance. Many legal aid programs offer "advice-only" clinics on a walk-in or appointment basis.
Self-Help Resources
When full representation is not available, many programs provide self-help materials, form packets, and workshops that help you represent yourself. Your court's self-help center can provide forms and procedural guidance (they cannot give legal advice). Websites like lawhelp.org and nolo.com have free guides on eviction defense. Many courts allow self-representation with proper preparation.
When Bankruptcy May Help with Rent and Housing Debt
If you are behind on rent and facing eviction, bankruptcy may provide a temporary or longer-term solution in some situations.
- The automatic stay - Filing for bankruptcy triggers an automatic stay that temporarily halts most collection actions, including some eviction proceedings. However, the 2005 BAPCPA amendments significantly limited the automatic stay's power to stop evictions, particularly when the landlord already has a judgment for possession.
- Chapter 13 repayment plan - A Chapter 13 plan can allow you to catch up on past-due rent over time while maintaining your current lease. This requires regular income and the ability to make ongoing plan payments.
- Discharge of other debts - Even if bankruptcy cannot stop an eviction, discharging credit card debt, medical bills, and other unsecured debts through Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 can free up income to pay rent going forward.
Bankruptcy is a complex legal process with significant consequences. Consult with a legal aid attorney or a credit counseling agency before making any decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I qualify for free legal aid?
Most legal aid programs use income limits of 125-200% of the federal poverty level. For a single person in 2026, that is approximately $19,000-29,000 annually. Household size matters - a family of four may qualify with income up to approximately $39,300-$58,700 depending on the program. Some programs have higher limits or make exceptions for emergencies, domestic violence, disability, or cases involving children. Contact your local program to ask about eligibility - the income limits are guidelines, not absolute cutoffs in every situation.
Can legal aid help after I have already been evicted?
Yes. Legal aid can help with several post-eviction issues: appealing an eviction judgment (if deadlines have not passed), defending against a collections lawsuit for unpaid rent, negotiating a payment plan with your former landlord, sealing or expunging eviction records (where state law allows), asserting claims for wrongful eviction or return of security deposit, and finding emergency housing assistance. Contact legal aid even if you think it is too late - there are often options people are not aware of.
What if legal aid cannot take my case?
Ask for a referral to other organizations. Many areas have volunteer lawyer programs, pro bono panels through the bar association, or private attorneys who offer free consultations. Some tenant organizations provide non-attorney advocates who can help you navigate the process. Also check whether your area has a tenant hotline, a right to counsel program, or a law school clinic. Many communities have multiple legal aid providers, and being turned down by one does not mean another cannot help.
How quickly can legal aid help if I have a court date soon?
Many legal aid programs have emergency intake procedures for tenants with imminent court dates. Call as soon as you receive any eviction notice or court papers - do not wait until the day before your hearing. If your hearing is within 48 hours and you cannot reach legal aid, go to the courthouse early and ask the clerk about any "day of" attorney programs. Many courts have volunteer attorneys available in the hallway or in a designated room to help unrepresented tenants on the morning of their hearing.
Do I have to be a U.S. citizen to get legal aid?
LSC-funded programs have restrictions on serving certain noncitizens. However, many legal aid organizations receive non-LSC funding that allows them to serve all residents regardless of immigration status. Additionally, some case types (such as domestic violence, human trafficking, and certain housing cases) are exempt from citizenship restrictions even at LSC-funded programs. Always call and ask - do not assume you are ineligible.
Can an eviction be removed from my record?
This depends on state law. Some states allow eviction records to be sealed or expunged under certain circumstances - for example, if the case was dismissed, if you won, or after a waiting period. A growing number of states have passed eviction record sealing laws in recent years. Legal aid attorneys can advise you on what is available in your state and help you file the necessary paperwork.
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