About Us
About LawHelp.org/SC
LawHelp.org/SC is a project of South Carolina Legal Services (SCLS). Our goal is to provide the public with easy internet access to basic legal information and legal resources in South Carolina.
South Carolina Legal Services (SCLS) introduced www.lawhelp.org/sc to provide an online source of public legal information for the people of South Carolina:
- Low-income people who need legal assistance
- Legal services providers and advocates who serve those constituents
- Community groups and court personnel who regularly encounter low-income individuals
- Pro-bono lawyers and law students
How Can South Carolina Legal Services Help You?
South Carolina Legal Services’ goal is to provide equal access to justice for all South Carolinians by assisting those who are most disenfranchised, the very poor.
South Carolina Legal Services expands on the thirty-four year history of legal aid in the state.
This history includes legal assistance to the very poor in areas which seeks to protect children, stabilize families, prevent homelessness, help women and children leave violent situations, obtain and maintain necessary health care, assist the elderly and provide other needed legal assistance which can help the poor to stabilize their lives and move beyond poverty.
How To Get Assistance From South Carolina Legal Services
Callers may reach the Legal Intake Office by dialing 1-888-346-5592 toll-free statewide or 744-9430 in the Columbia area to determine their eligibility and be referred to the appropriate office for assistance.
All calls will be answered by a lawyer or a paralegal that will collect eligibility information and ensure that the caller is financially qualified for free legal services. The legal staff may provide advice or assistance or refer qualified callers to the appropriate legal aid office or to other agencies.
Offices are located around the state and are staffed with attorneys, paralegals, and legal support staff.
Legal assistance is given for counsel and advice, brief services, intervention and mediation, litigation and appeal.
Probono.net
The LawHelp website platform was created and is maintained by Pro Bono Net (PBN), a national nonprofit founded in 1999 whose mission is to bring the power of the law to all through technology and collaboration. Pro Bono Net's programs equip individuals with solutions to life-changing legal issues and transform how the civil justice sector collaborates to tackle justice problems.
For further information about LawHelp.org/SC contact our webmaster at webmaster@sclegal.org.
Income guidelines
Some organizations cannot serve people with incomes higher than their guidelines. Income guidelines use either a percentage of the federal poverty income amount (example: $18,000/year). LawHelp.org/SC does not guarantee assistance from an organization even if you meet its income guidelines. Many legal services groups use the chart below to decide who can receive help. The chart shows you how much you have to earn to be at 125% or 200% of what the Federal government considers to be the poverty level. "Family Size" is the total number of people in the household.
2023 Poverty Guidelines for the 48 Continental United States
| Number in Household | 100% | 125% | 200% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $15,060 | $18,825 | $30,120 |
| 2 | $20,440 | $25,550 | $40,880 |
| 3 | $25,820 | $32,275 | $51,640 |
| 4 | $31,200 | $39,000 | $62,400 |
| 5 | $36,580 | $45,725 | $73,160 |
| 6 | $41,960 | $52,450 | $83,920 |
| 7 | $47,340 | $59,175 | $94,680 |
| 8 | $52,720 | $65,900 | $105,440 |
| 9 | $58,700 | $72,625 | $116,200 |
| 10 | $63,480 | $79,350 | $126,960 |
Special Groups
Some organizations only serve special groups such as:
- Children
- Seniors
- People who are HIV positive or related to those with HIV.
- People experiencing domestic violence.
Be sure to look at these other requirements carefully before contacting an organization.
