AKA:

PSLS

Description:

Offers legal representation in areas of civil law to low-income individuals and seniors. Legal matters include:

Public Benefits:
- Loss or denial of SSI, TANF, Veterans Benefits, SNAP (food stamps)

Family Law:
- Abuse or exploitation for persons facing domestic violence, elderly, children, and individuals with disabilities.
- Divorce and related relief for persons facing domestic violence

Housing Law:
- Evictions and lock-outs
- Foreclosure defense
- Loss or denial of subsidized housing benefits
- Loss or denial of essential public utilities
- Substandard housing conditions cases that cannot be addressed by other agencies

Health Care:
- Loss or denial of medical or nursing home care
- Loss or denial of medical benefits (Medicaid, Medicare)
- Guardianships and Powers of Attorney

Other income benefits where alternative representation is unavailable:
- Loss or denial of unemployment insurance
- Social Security Disability benefits

Tax Law:
- Disputes or audits with the IRS
- Appeals and cases in court
- Protection from Collection
- Innocent Spouse Relief
- Tax-related Identity Theft
- State tax issues (if a related federal tax issue)

Eligibility:

Eligibility Factors:
-Household income less than 125% of the federal poverty or 200% of the federal poverty level, if the household has certain qualifying expenses. Certain grants allow for assistance to some clients with higher income and/or assets criteria.
- There can be no conflict of interest regarding the legal issue at hand.
- Must live in the service area or have a legal problem in one of the counties served.
- Must meet the citizenship or immigration requirements established by Congress. Persons fleeing domestic violence or trafficking are eligible regardless or immigration status (in matters addressing abuse).
- Government regulations must not prohibit Prairie State Legal Services from handling your type of legal issue.
- Legal issue must fall within the agency's established priorities.

Languages:

Spanish
Interpreter services available at no cost

Program Fees:

No fee

Intake Process:

Apply online or call for phone screening. Please have all court documents available when calling.

Documents Required:
- Court documents

Contacts

Phone Numbers

Address Listings

Handicap Accessible?

Yes

Wishlist:

None

Volunteer Opportunities:

None

Legal Status:

Non-Profit

Date of Official Change:

June 3, 2025

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