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)

Eligible callers seeking counseling will receive immediate advice or a referral

Note: Due to limited resources, not everyone can receive assistance. Visit the Additional Resources page on the website for additional information.

For information regarding the agency's service area and office locations, please visit: https://pslegal.org/our-offices

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:

- All applicants will be screened.
- Persons in need of legal help must apply (unless unable due to age or disability).
- Have court papers or other important documents available, when you call.

Assistance will not be denied on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, political affiliation or belief, disability, or any other classification protected by law.

Contacts

Phone Numbers

Address Listings

Handicap Accessible?

Yes

Wishlist:

None

Volunteer Opportunities:

None

Legal Status:

Non-Profit

Date of Official Change:

September 18, 2023

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