Legal aid is free or low-cost legal help provided to people who cannot afford to hire a private attorney. Legal aid organizations are funded by the federal Legal Services Corporation (LSC), state funding, IOLTA (Interest on Lawyers' Trust Accounts), and private donations. They handle civil cases like housing, family law, public benefits, consumer issues, and increasingly, expungement and reentry matters.

Who qualifies for free legal aid?

Most legal aid programs require income at or below 125% of the Federal Poverty Level (about $19,088/year for a single person in 2026). Some programs accept up to 200% FPL for specific case types like domestic violence, veterans' issues, or disaster relief. Eligibility also depends on the type of legal issue — legal aid handles civil matters only, not criminal defense (that is handled by public defenders).

Does legal aid help with criminal cases?

Legal aid organizations primarily handle civil cases. For criminal defense, you have a constitutional right to a public defender if you cannot afford an attorney. However, many legal aid organizations DO help with criminal record-related issues like expungement, record sealing, and post-conviction relief — which are civil proceedings that can dramatically improve your life after a conviction.

How do I find free legal aid near me?

Start with LawHelp.org — enter your state and legal issue to find programs near you. You can also call the Legal Services Corporation hotline, your state bar's lawyer referral service, or dial 211 for local referrals. Each state page on this site lists the primary legal aid organization with phone numbers and websites.

Can I get free help with expungement?

Yes, in most states. Many legal aid organizations now offer free expungement assistance. Some have dedicated expungement clinics or reentry legal projects. Law school clinics are another excellent source of free expungement help. Check your state page for specific programs.

What is the difference between legal aid and a public defender?

Public defenders represent people charged with crimes who cannot afford an attorney — this is a constitutional right. Legal aid organizations handle civil matters (housing, family, benefits, consumer, immigration) and increasingly help with record clearing. If you need a criminal defense lawyer, request a public defender through the court. If you need help with a civil legal issue, contact legal aid.

What is ABA Free Legal Answers?

ABA Free Legal Answers (abafreelegalanswers.org) is a nationwide virtual legal clinic where low-income individuals can ask civil legal questions online and receive free answers from volunteer attorneys. It is available in all 50 states and DC. You must meet income eligibility requirements (generally 250% of FPL or below).

Free Legal Aid by State (2026) -- Low-Income, Reentry & Expungement Services

If you cannot afford an attorney, free legal help is available in every state. Legal aid organizations provide free civil legal services to low-income Americans covering housing, family law, public benefits, consumer issues, and increasingly, expungement and reentry matters. This directory connects you to your state's legal aid programs.

How to Get Free Legal Help

LawHelp.org -- enter your state and legal issue to find programs near you
Your state's legal aid organization -- see the state directory below for phone numbers and websites
State bar lawyer referral service -- low-cost initial consultations and pro bono referrals
ABA Free Legal Answers (abafreelegalanswers.org) -- get free answers to civil legal questions online
Dial 211 -- connects you to local resources including legal aid referrals

National Resources

LawHelp.org
Find free legal aid programs in your state. Search by issue type.
Legal Services Corporation (LSC)
The federal agency that funds legal aid nationwide. Find LSC-funded programs.
ABA Free Legal Answers
Free online answers to civil legal questions from volunteer attorneys. All 50 states + DC.
211.org / Dial 211
Call 211 or visit online to find local legal aid, social services, and community resources.

Income Eligibility -- Who Qualifies?

Most legal aid programs require income at or below 125% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). For 2026, that means:

1 person

~$19,088/yr

2 people

~$25,813/yr

3 people

~$32,538/yr

4 people

~$39,263/yr

Some programs accept higher income (up to 200% FPL) for domestic violence, veterans' issues, elder law, or disaster relief. Always call and ask -- don't assume you won't qualify.

What Legal Aid Covers

✓Housing & eviction defense

✓Family law (custody, divorce, protection orders)

✓Public benefits (SNAP, Medicaid, SSI appeals)

✓Consumer & debt issues

✓Expungement & record clearing

✓Employment disputes & discrimination

✓Immigration (limited by federal funding rules)

✓Veterans' legal issues

✓Elder law & guardianship

✓Disability rights

Legal aid handles civil cases only. For criminal defense, you have a constitutional right to a public defender.

Quick Links

AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE DC FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WV WI WY

Related Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

What is legal aid?: Legal aid is free or low-cost legal help provided to people who cannot afford to hire a private attorney. Legal aid organizations are funded by the federal Legal Services Corporation (LSC), state funding, IOLTA (Interest on Lawyers' Trust Accounts), and private donations. They handle civil cases like housing, family law, public benefits, consumer issues, and increasingly, expungement and reentry matters.
Who qualifies for free legal aid?: Most legal aid programs require income at or below 125% of the Federal Poverty Level (about $19,088/year for a single person in 2026). Some programs accept up to 200% FPL for specific case types like domestic violence, veterans' issues, or disaster relief. Eligibility also depends on the type of legal issue — legal aid handles civil matters only, not criminal defense (that is handled by public defenders).
Does legal aid help with criminal cases?: Legal aid organizations primarily handle civil cases. For criminal defense, you have a constitutional right to a public defender if you cannot afford an attorney. However, many legal aid organizations DO help with criminal record-related issues like expungement, record sealing, and post-conviction relief — which are civil proceedings that can dramatically improve your life after a conviction.
How do I find free legal aid near me?: Start with LawHelp.org — enter your state and legal issue to find programs near you. You can also call the Legal Services Corporation hotline, your state bar's lawyer referral service, or dial 211 for local referrals. Each state page on this site lists the primary legal aid organization with phone numbers and websites.
Can I get free help with expungement?: Yes, in most states. Many legal aid organizations now offer free expungement assistance. Some have dedicated expungement clinics or reentry legal projects. Law school clinics are another excellent source of free expungement help. Check your state page for specific programs.
What is the difference between legal aid and a public defender?: Public defenders represent people charged with crimes who cannot afford an attorney — this is a constitutional right. Legal aid organizations handle civil matters (housing, family, benefits, consumer, immigration) and increasingly help with record clearing. If you need a criminal defense lawyer, request a public defender through the court. If you need help with a civil legal issue, contact legal aid.
What is ABA Free Legal Answers?: ABA Free Legal Answers (abafreelegalanswers.org) is a nationwide virtual legal clinic where low-income individuals can ask civil legal questions online and receive free answers from volunteer attorneys. It is available in all 50 states and DC. You must meet income eligibility requirements (generally 250% of FPL or below).

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Disclaimer: This is informational only, not legal advice. Legal aid programs, eligibility requirements, and services change periodically. Contact the organizations listed for exact current availability. For immediate help, call 211 or visit 211.org.