When you cannot afford an attorney and a legal problem is putting your housing, income, family, or benefits at risk, free help is available. Civil legal aid — free or reduced-cost legal assistance for non-criminal matters — is funded through a combination of federal programs, state bar associations, law schools, and nonprofit organizations. Knowing which type of program to contact first, and for what kind of problem, is what this page covers. This is a guide to the civil legal aid landscape.

SPECIALIZED LEGAL AID TOPICS: For specific situations — eviction, disability benefits, divorce, bankruptcy, elder law, mortgage trouble — follow the send-forwards below to the page that covers your topic directly.

Civil cases versus criminal cases — what free legal aid covers

Free civil legal aid covers disputes where no criminal charge is involved: housing, benefits, family law, consumer debt, discrimination, and many others. The right to a free attorney under the Constitution applies only in criminal cases where imprisonment is possible. For civil matters, there is no constitutional guarantee — but there are programs that fill much of that gap for people who cannot afford private representation.

If you are facing a criminal charge, contact your local public defender's office directly. Public defenders are provided by the court and are not part of the programs described on this page.

Federally funded legal aid — the LSC network

The Legal Services Corporation is the largest funder of civil legal aid in the country, providing grants to more than 130 independent nonprofit legal aid organizations that together operate offices across every state, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories.

These organizations handle evictions, foreclosures, domestic violence cases, public benefits denials, family law matters, consumer protection, and more. They serve households at or below a certain income threshold — generally around 125% of federal poverty guidelines — though seniors and domestic violence survivors may qualify under separate criteria depending on the local program.

Help is provided over the phone, online, and in person. To find the LSC-funded organization in your area, search by address or zip code at https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/what-legal-aid/i-need-legal-help.

ABA Free Legal Answers — ask a question online

The American Bar Association operates a free online legal advice clinic through which income-eligible people can post civil legal questions and receive written responses from licensed volunteer attorneys in their state. There is no fee. Topics covered include housing, eviction, family law, consumer issues, employment, benefits, and civil rights.

This is not full representation — the attorney answers your question online but does not appear in court on your behalf. For people who need general guidance about their rights or next steps before deciding how to proceed, it is a useful starting point. The clinic operates in most states. You can check whether your state participates and submit a question at https://www.abafreelegalanswers.org..

Pro bono attorneys through bar associations and law school clinics

Beyond LSC-funded programs, every state bar association operates or funds pro bono programs that connect income-eligible clients with volunteer attorneys for civil legal matters. State bar pro bono programs sometimes serve people whose income is above the LSC threshold but who still cannot realistically afford private legal fees.

Law school clinics are another source. Accredited law schools operate clinical programs in which law students — supervised by licensed faculty attorneys — handle real civil cases at no cost to clients. Clinics often specialize in specific areas such as housing, immigration, elder law, veterans' benefits, or consumer protection. Contact the law school nearest you and ask whether they operate a legal clinic and what types of cases they accept.

For a more detailed explanation of pro bono programs and how to access them, see the guide to pro bono lawyers and volunteer attorneys.

Specific legal situations — where to go on this site

For tenants facing eviction or a pay-or-quit notice, including cases that may involve housing discrimination, see free lawyers for tenants facing eviction.

For adults applying for Social Security disability benefits or SSI, or whose application has been denied, see how a disability lawyer can help with benefits claims.

For homeowners struggling with a mortgage and considering a loan modification, see loan modification lawyers and what they can do for homeowners.

For anyone facing divorce who cannot afford an attorney, including people in domestic violence situations, see options for a free or low-cost divorce lawyer.

For seniors who need legal help with Medicare, nursing home issues, elder abuse, guardianship, or estate matters, see elder law attorneys and what they cover.

For people who have already filed for bankruptcy or are considering it, see free bankruptcy consultations and what they cover.

For self-help legal resources, including online tools and state-specific legal information portals, see the guide to free legal resources and self-help options.

Community forum — legal aid experiences from around the country

People who have been through the process of finding free legal help often know details that program listings do not — which local offices respond quickly, what intake questions to expect, which programs had funding when others did not. The site's moderated community forum has a thread where people across the country share their experiences finding civil legal aid, ask questions, and point others toward resources that worked for them. Find that discussion at the NHPB legal aid community forum.

Find free legal aid in your state

Each state has its own legal aid organizations, income thresholds, and intake processes. The pages below cover the programs, organizations, and contact information specific to each state.

This page provides general information about civil legal aid resources. Eligibility requirements, income limits, and the types of cases each program accepts vary by location and by program. Resources are limited as well. Contact the program in your area directly to confirm what help is available for your situation.

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