Website Survey

Site Help

Site Help

What is LawHelp.org/DC?

LawHelp.org/DC provides answers to legal questions, contact information for legal aid offices and links to courthouses and local community organizations.

Type of Help

There are several different ways in which an organization can provide help:

  • Full Representation - by a lawyer or a legal advocate in court or at a hearing at a government agency.
  • Brief Advice - in person or over the telephone.
  • Legal Clinic - where you can briefly talk to an attorney about your legal problem.
  • Pro Se Clinics - where you are shown how you can "help yourself" with a particular legal problem.
  • Self-Help - educational materials such as factsheets and brochures.
  • Other - workshops, referrals to private attorneys, and other services.

Note: Not all organizations provide all the services listed.

Income Guidelines

Some organizations cannot serve people with incomes over certain limits. These limits are usually set according to Federal government's poverty guidelines, which are calculated based on family income and family size. A specific organization's limits can be some percentage of the Federal guidelines. For instance, one organization may only help people who make less than twice the Federal poverty line, while another may help people with incomes up to three or four times that. For more information about the Federal guidelines, click here.

LawHelp.org does not guarantee assistance from an organization even if you meet its income guidelines.

Can I get help if my income is larger than the guidelines?

Some organizations may make exceptions for seniors or people experiencing domestic violence. Also, some organizations take into account expenses such as childcare, medical bills and debts.

Special Groups

Some organizations/projects only serve special groups such as:

  • Children
  • Seniors
  • Persons with disabilities
  • People experiencing domestic violence
Back to top