August 24, 2025

Jonathan Mannina and Ron Flagg: Funding critical for Community Legal Aid that prioritizes equal justice for all

BY Jonathan Mannina & Ron FlaggWorcester Telegram & Gazette

Every year, through no fault of their own, millions of Americans face urgent civil (noncriminal) legal problems — like veterans facing homelessness, families torn apart by domestic violence, elders scammed out of their savings accounts or workers cheated out of their wages.

Criminal defendants are guaranteed an attorney by our legal system, but there is no such right for individuals fighting for their livelihoods or safety in civil court. To try and fill this gap, Congress funds 130 legal aid organizations across the country through the Legal Services Corporation (LSC), including Community Legal Aid in Central and Western Massachusetts.

Despite a dramatic increase in demand for civil legal aid across the country and in Massachusetts, the Trump administration proposed eliminating LSC. Thankfully, both the House of Representatives’ and the Senate’s funding bills did not follow the administration’s lead. The Senate voted to slightly increase LSC’s funding. However, the House proposed a drastic 46% cut for LSC.

Like other legal services programs, Community Legal Aid already turns away about 40% of income-eligible applicants because of a lack of resources. A 46% cut to LSC’s funding would have devastating effects on the residents of Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin and Berkshire counties.

These cuts would mean that more of our neighbors will struggle to navigate a legal system that was built for lawyers. Last year, attorneys at Community Legal Aid handled over 8,700 cases on behalf of our low-income and elderly neighbors, impacting over 20,000 people. The organization is a lifeline for working families, senior citizens, veterans, people with disabilities and survivors of domestic violence.

If Congress does not preserve the Legal Services Corporation’s funding in the federal budget, Community Legal Aid and 129 similar programs across the country will lose key resources that enable us to effectively serve our communities. For example, when a fire left a dozen families facing imminent homelessness in Worcester, our team of advocates quickly stepped in to make sure that each family’s legal rights were protected and everyone remained housed. The funding from LSC gives programs like Community Legal Aid the ability to meet these local needs.

LSC’s calculator estimates how many people budget cuts will impact at district, state and national levels. Across Massachusetts, a 46% cut to LSC would mean that more than 24,000 fewer people would be able to access these legal services, including almost 6,000 children, over 1,500 Americans 60 and older, more than 100 veterans and over 700 domestic violence survivors.

One great aspect of civil legal aid that is often overlooked is that it benefits our local economy. Legal aid returns $7 for every $1 invested, on average. Legal services save taxpayers money by reducing the need for emergency services like shelters, medical care and law enforcement by addressing civil legal problems before they escalate and require intervention by costly public services. By solving or preventing legal problems, programs like Community Legal Aid help to reduce strain on the courts and on public services.

Above all else, Community Legal Aid prioritizes equal justice for all. We take on challenging cases for our neediest neighbors to ensure that everyone is given a fair opportunity to thrive in our communities. Funding from LSC is critical for Community Legal Aid to continue providing these crucial services, just as we have for 75 years.

Anyone wishing to apply for services is welcome to call Community Legal Aid’s intake line at: 855-CLA-LEGAL (855-252-5342) or apply online at communitylegal.org/get-help.

Jonathan Mannina is executive director of Community Legal Aid. Ron Flagg is president of the Legal Services Corporation.