Free legal aid: who qualifies, what it covers and where to apply
Short answer
Programs funded by the Legal Services Corporation generally serve households with income at or below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines: in 2026 that is $19,950 a year for one person and $41,250 for a family of four in the 48 contiguous states and DC, with higher limits in Alaska and Hawaii. Programs can accept some applicants up to 200% under federal exceptions and also apply asset limits. Find your local program through LSC's address search or LawHelp.org; legal aid handles civil problems such as housing, family and benefits, not criminal defense.
What legal aid is
Civil legal aid means free legal help for people with low incomes in non-criminal matters. The largest funder is the Legal Services Corporation (LSC), which funds 129 independent nonprofit legal aid organizations covering every state, the District of Columbia and the U.S. territories[1]. Many states also fund legal aid through their own programs, bar foundations and court-run projects, which may follow different rules.
According to LSC, family law makes up almost a third of the cases its programs close, housing and foreclosure come second, consumer matters account for about 11% and employment and income-maintenance cases (wages and government benefits) for more than 15%[2].
Income limits for 2026
Each LSC-funded program sets its own income ceiling, which may not exceed 125% of the federal poverty guidelines unless an exception applies[3]. The 2026 figures are[4]:
| Household size | 48 states and DC | Alaska | Hawaii | Reference: 200% (48 states and DC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $19,950 | $24,938 | $22,950 | $31,920 |
| 2 | $27,050 | $33,813 | $31,113 | $43,280 |
| 3 | $34,150 | $42,688 | $39,275 | $54,640 |
| 4 | $41,250 | $51,563 | $47,438 | $66,000 |
| 5 | $48,350 | $60,438 | $55,600 | $77,360 |
| 6 | $55,450 | $69,313 | $63,763 | $88,720 |
| 7 | $62,550 | $78,188 | $71,925 | $100,080 |
| 8 | $69,650 | $87,063 | $80,088 | $111,440 |
| Each additional person | $7,100 | $8,875 | $8,163 | $11,360 |
These are 125% of the 2026 HHS poverty guidelines, which are $15,960 for one person and $33,000 for a family of four in the contiguous states[5]. A program may use a lower ceiling than the maximum, so always check with the program itself.
Exceptions and asset limits
Being over 125% does not automatically rule you out. A program may accept an applicant with income up to 200% of the guidelines if, for example, the person is seeking government benefits for low-income people or people with disabilities, or if factors such as unreimbursed medical expenses, fixed debts, dependent care costs or seasonal income justify it. Two exceptions have no 200% limit: help keeping existing benefits for low-income people, and cases where income goes mainly to medical or nursing home costs[3].
Programs also set "reasonable" asset ceilings. They may exclude your principal home, vehicles used for transportation, income-producing assets and assets protected from creditors under state or federal law[3].
Example. A family of three in Ohio earns $36,000 a year. That is above the 125% ceiling of $34,150 but below the 200% reference figure of $54,640[4]. The family is not automatically eligible, but if a parent has large unreimbursed medical bills or the family is applying for disability benefits, the program may still accept the case under an exception. The only way to know is to apply.
What legal aid typically covers, and what it does not
Commonly handled
- Evictions, unsafe housing, foreclosure and housing subsidies
- Family matters such as protective orders, custody and support
- Consumer problems: debt collection, predatory lending, bankruptcy
- Public benefits, unemployment and unpaid wages
Usually not handled by LSC-funded programs
- Criminal defense. LSC funds generally may not be used for criminal proceedings[6]; ask the court about a public defender.
- Class actions. LSC-funded programs may not start or join them[7].
- Cases a private lawyer would take for a fee, such as most injury claims. Programs are generally required to try a lawyer referral first, but exceptions exist, including Social Security and SSI benefit claims and cases where two private lawyers have turned you down[8].
Programs also have limited staff and must prioritize. Being eligible does not guarantee representation; you may be offered advice, help with forms or a referral instead.
How to find your program and apply
- Search by address on LSC's Get Legal Help page, which shows the LSC-funded program for your area[1].
- Check LawHelp.org, a free directory maintained by Pro Bono Net with nonprofit legal aid listings, legal information and court forms by state[9]. Your state's site is in the directory below.
- Call or apply online for intake. Have ready: household size, income for everyone in the household, major assets, the other party's name (for a conflict check) and any court papers.
- Say right away if you have a court date or deadline. Eviction and protective-order matters move fast, and intake staff need to know.
- If you are turned down, ask for a referral to a volunteer lawyer program, a law school clinic or the bar's referral service. Our guide to low-cost options lists the alternatives.
Legal aid directory by state
Each link goes to the statewide legal aid site or directory we verified for that state (checked October 2026). The state name links to our state cost guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is legal aid really free?
Legal aid programs provide civil legal help without charging eligible clients for the lawyer's time. You may still face court costs, but low-income litigants can usually ask the court to waive filing fees.
Does legal aid help with criminal cases?
LSC-funded civil legal aid programs generally cannot represent people in criminal proceedings. If you are charged with a crime and cannot afford a lawyer, ask the court whether you qualify for a public defender or appointed counsel.
Can I get legal aid if I own a house or a car?
Possibly. Programs set their own asset limits and may exclude your principal home and the vehicles you use for transportation when counting assets.
What if my income is just above the legal aid limit?
Apply anyway if you are under 200% of the poverty guidelines, because federal rules let programs make exceptions for factors such as medical expenses or benefits cases. If you are turned down, ask for a referral to a reduced-fee or volunteer lawyer.
How long does it take to get help from legal aid?
It varies by program and case type. Urgent matters such as evictions or protective orders are often prioritized, so mention any court date or deadline at the start of your intake call.
Sources
- Get Legal Help — Legal Services Corporation. Address search for the nearest LSC-funded program; LSC funds 129 independent nonprofit legal aid organizations (checked October 11, 2026)
- Who We Are — Legal Services Corporation. Case types handled by LSC-funded programs (family, housing, consumer, employment and income maintenance) (checked October 11, 2026)
- 45 CFR Part 1611: Financial Eligibility — eCFR (Office of the Federal Register). 125% income ceiling, program-set asset ceilings and exceptions up to 200% (checked October 11, 2026)
- Legal Services Corporation: Income Level for Individuals Eligible for Assistance (2026) — Federal Register (Legal Services Corporation). 2026 LSC income guidelines at 125% of the poverty guidelines, plus a 200% reference chart (checked October 11, 2026)
- Annual Update of the HHS Poverty Guidelines (2026) — Federal Register (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services). 2026 federal poverty guidelines: $15,960 for one person, $33,000 for a family of four (checked October 11, 2026)
- 45 CFR Part 1613: Restrictions on Legal Assistance With Respect to Criminal Proceedings — eCFR (Office of the Federal Register). LSC funds generally may not be used for criminal proceedings (checked October 11, 2026)
- 45 CFR Part 1617: Class Actions — eCFR (Office of the Federal Register). LSC recipients may not initiate or participate in class actions (checked October 11, 2026)
- 45 CFR Part 1609: Fee-Generating Cases — eCFR (Office of the Federal Register). Fee-generating cases are generally referred to private lawyers first; exceptions such as Social Security benefits (checked October 11, 2026)
- LawHelp.org — Pro Bono Net. Free state-by-state directory of nonprofit legal aid, legal information and court forms (checked October 11, 2026)