Civil legal aid needs grow

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The number of Americans who qualify for federally funded civil legal assistance programs because of their low income increased by 3 million from 2008 to 2009, according to the Legal Services Corporation.

According to the group, a private nonprofit established by Congress to give grants for civil legal assistance programs for low-income Americans, 57 million Americans qualified for civil legal assistance in 2009, the highest number in the group’s 35-year history. The numbers are based on the latest Census data on poverty.

“These numbers are likely to continue to grow, creating even greater challenges for legal aid programs funded by LSC in every state that already have to turn away far too many low-income Americans seeking help with pressing legal problems,” said John G. Levi, chairman of LSC’s board of directors, in a statement. “These new numbers underscore the importance of additional federal funding and support for initiatives that expand access to justice in our nation.”

Clients served by LSC-funded programs are at or below 125 percent of the federal poverty level threshold. They primarily consist of: the working poor, veterans, homeowners and renters facing foreclosure or evictions, families with children, farmers, individuals with disabilities, victims of domestic violence, the elderly and victims of natural disasters, according to the organization.