Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Neighborhood Legal Services
Within the city of Pittsburgh and surrounding counties, an attorney is not always available to handle a legal problem. Historically, legal assistance in Allegheny County was limited primarily to individuals who could afford legal services. However, this problem has been confronted in recent years by the establishment of Allegheny County organizations that provide free legal services. In 1970, the Neighborhood Legal Services Association was formed to fill a large void for free legal services. NLSA serves residents of Allegheny County and Beaver County, Pennsylvania . The services offered by NLSA include legal assistance to low income people facing eviction, divorce, custody and support actions, guardianships, appeals to the Superior Court, bankruptcies, and consumer fraud claims. Lawyers volunteer through the program and offer their services to clients. Legal Assistance is primarily available during business hours for individuals who meet certain income and asset requirements. Legal Assistance is not available for cases of criminal law or private civil claims where a lawyer would ordinarily be retained by a client.
Significant Areas of Legal Support
Neighborhood Legal Services in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania provides a range of legal assistance to low income and elderly residents of Allegheny County. The majority of the legal matters taken on by the firm involve family law. Although the firm does not take on divorce cases, it will handle all legal aspects of complaints such as domestic violence, although this work is done in conjunction with a community partner. The firm also takes on cases regarding the division of marital property, protection from abuse orders, paternity and custody.
Low-income people who are being sued or sought for judgment for bills they cannot afford may be represented by staff attorneys or pro bono attorneys through the firm. Other cases that are commonly taken on by staff attorneys include bankruptcies, eviction cases, Termination of Parental Rights (TPR cases), guardianships, Social Security and SSI, and unemployment appeals. People over 60 years old may have their wills made and signed free of charge. Housing issues are some of the most common problems faced by low-income and elderly residents. Many people do not have the financial resources to retain an attorney for issues regarding their home. Neighborhood Legal Services in Pittsburgh works to ensure that everyone has access to the justice system, including people who have lost their homes due to foreclosure. Other housing assistance offered by the firm includes landlord-tenant disputes, public and private housing issues and home repair issues.
Conditions for Free Legal Services
The model for how free legal services are provided to low-income groups is based on the idea that those who cannot financially sustain themselves would benefit from low-cost legal advice. This concept underlies the work done by the attorneys and advocates at Neighborhood Legal Services in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The specific criteria for receiving free legal services at Neighborhood Legal Services are as follows:
Income must be less than 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines:
Family Size Annual Income
1 $14,850
2 $20,025
3 $25,200
4 $30,375
5 $35,550
6 $40,725
7 $45,900
8+ (add for each additional person) $5,175
The applicant must be a resident of Allegheny or Beaver County.
There is a legal issue that can be handle by an attorney in the service area of Allegheny and Beaver County.
The applicant must not already have another agency that is providing legal services.
They do not have the financial means to pay for a private attorney.
How to Obtain Aid
Residents of Pittsburgh and neighboring areas may access Neighborhood Legal Services (NLS) assistance through its four offices located in Allegheny County. The main office is headquartered in Downtown Pittsburgh with branch locations in the neighborhoods of Hill District, Mt. Oliver, and Pittsburgh North Side. NLS has Tuesday evening walk-in hours. All additional office hours are by appointment only.
Starting in 2014, NLS has offered a toll-free number, 844-743-1529, for individuals to see if they qualify for assistance . This will be available Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Annual income cannot exceed $15,651 for single individuals, $21,088 for families of two, $26,626 for three, $32,164 for four, with an additional $5,538 for each additional family member. Individuals who apply for services by phone submit the same paperwork as applicants who go to the office in person, including an application and verification of income.
Effects on the Community of Pittsburgh
Neighborhood Legal Services (NLS) has been a bedrock of support for low-income families and communities in Allegheny County for over 50 years. It seeks to remove barriers to stability and security through the creation of long-term solutions from the ground up. This legal aid organization aims to promote social and economic justice for the most vulnerable individuals in our communities. The past few decades have seen monumental changes around the world, and especially here in Pittsburgh. Neighborhood Legal Services has quickly evolved to meet the legal needs of the diverse individuals and communities that comprise Allegheny County. With their staff of dedicated lawyers and advocates, NLS is able to provide assistance in a wide range of legal areas. Below are a few examples of how they are making a difference for individuals across the county.
Housing NLS puts a large emphasis on providing legal assistance to individuals in need of housing and rental assistance. Their housing services include: · Litigation, including Housing Court representation · Representation in mortgage foreclosure, eviction, and landlord-tenant issues · Assistance for those facing potential eviction or judgment · Access to community and government resources · Education and outreach services to clients and community partners
Consumer In 2018, Neighborhood Legal Services served over 900 families whose incomes were at or below 125% of the AHS poverty guidelines. Common consumer law issues include: · Bank accounts, credit reports, and credit · Repossessions · Debt collection · Garnishments · Student loans · Foreclosure · Bankruptcy · Scam protection
Public Benefits NLS helps individuals get and keep public benefits from the government at every level. Their public benefits services include: · Public assistance · Social Security disability · Social Security retirement · Medicare and Medicaid · Security Income payments
Legal Access and Advocacy NLS employs an intake hotline service for individuals seeking legal help. In 2018, 25,577 individuals received assistance via the intake hotline, 11,988 were accepted for services, and more than 16,500 legal services were delivered.
Contributing to Neighborhood Legal Services
Neighborhood Legal Services is grateful to a number of organizations that provide support for NLSP’s services and programs. Such partnerships include arrangements with public and private corporations that provide law school graduates to NLSP as volunteer lawyers each year . Individuals and organizations interested in supporting NLSP’s mission and programs through gifts, sponsorships, grants or other contributions are invited to do so. Donors are welcome to earmark their gifts to specific programs or general support for NLSP services. Gifts may be made online at nlsp.org and through direct contact with the Executive Director at 412-586-6125 or via email at: [email protected].
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