Legal Aid helps low-income people.  People with income less than 125% of the federal poverty guidelines are eligible and may qualify for assistance. Sometimes people with less than 200% of the federal poverty guidelines can qualify.

Because of our limited staff , everyone is not able to receive help from Legal Aid.  Contact us to see if your case is one we can handle.

No. Legal Aid helps seniors who have the greatest need, even if they are above these guidelines.

Yes. 

Legal Aid represents seniors (60 and over) in all the areas of law we handle, with an emphasis on  homeownership preservation, elder abuse (physical or financial), Medicaid and Medicare  issues, and other public benefits.  There are no financial limitations on eligibility, although we concentrate on helping people who cannot afford to pay for legal representation.

Additionally, Legal Aid provides advice and legal assistance for persons who need help with legal matters such as wills and advanced directives.

• First, we find out if you are financially eligible for our services.
• Next, we find out if your problem is one we can handle.

We may ask you to send copies of your relevant paperwork.
If you qualify for our services and we have the resources to assist you, we will either:

• give you advice or educational information to help you with the next steps in the legal process;
• refer you to a volunteer attorney; or
• represent you in your legal matter.

You can also receive legal assistance through community legal education and brief advice and referral clinics that Legal Aid hosts throughout Northeast Ohio. Check for dates and locations.

Legal Aid does NOT handle criminal or traffic cases, cases seeking an award of damages, small claims complaints or workers’ compensation claims.

• Legal Aid is committed to providing high-quality legal services and holds itself accountable to those we seek to serve. Any person who feels they were denied services improperly or who is dissatisfied with the assistance provided by Legal Aid may complain by submitting a grievance.
• You may make a complaint orally to the Deputy Director at 216-861-5480.
• Or, to make a written complaint, send a completed Grievance Form to the Deputy Director at 1223 West Sixth Street, Cleveland, OH 44113. You can ask a Legal Aid office to send you a blank Grievance Form.
• The Deputy Director will investigate your complaint and will let you know his decision. If you file a written grievance, Legal Aid will send you a written decision.

Legal Aid’s phone lines can get overloaded at certain times of the day – and it can be difficult to get through on the phone.  Your call is important, so you are encouraged to keep trying.

The phones are especially busy on Mondays and Fridays and first thing in the morning.  Don’t wait until the last minute to call about an emergency!

In addition to calling Legal Aid for help, you can visit a free brief advice clinic.  Click here for a calendar of upcoming clinics in your area.

No.

The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland is a nonprofit organization governed by a board of directors.  Legal Aid is recognized as a 501(c)(3) by the IRS and registered as a charity in the State of Ohio.

No.

Everyone is not entitled to representation.  The US Constitution only provides for a right to an attorney in criminal cases.  Legal Aid handles only civil matters.  Before a case is accepted the case must be determined to have legal merit and meet Legal Aid priorities. Thousands of people each year are only given advice, or referred to another agency, or informed that their legal problem does not fall within Legal Aid priorities.

Those applying for Legal Aid’s help are asked about income, property owned, zip code, assets, family size, age, race, citizenship or immigration status.