Before You Apply
Applicants are strongly advised to visit the Massachusetts Legal Resource Finder to learn if Community Legal Aid or our subsidiary Central West Justice Center (CWJC) handles your type of legal issue.
Generally, to be eligible for assistance, households must have income below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines and have limited cash assets.
- There are no financial eligibility requirements for the following categories of applicants:
- Seniors (age 60 and older) who are seeking help with an eviction, loss of rental subsidy, denial of admission to public or subsidized housing, access to government benefits (including TANF, EAEDC, SNAP, MassHealth, Social Security, SSI, SSDI, State Disability Supplement, or Medicare), or financial or physical abuse or other threats to their autonomy, independence, or safety.
- Victims of crime and survivors of homicide victims who have a legal problem related to their victimization.
- Residents of Worcester County who have experienced illegal housing discrimination.
Languages: CLA and CWJC have in-house staff who speak a variety of languages. If CLA or CWJC do not have someone on staff who speaks your language, we will arrange for a free interpreter.
REQUIRED INFORMATION
Make sure you have this information ready before you apply:
- All sources of income in your household, including you and everyone who lives with you, and the amount each person gets each week or month from each source.
- The name of the person, business, or agency causing your legal problem.
- Dates of any hearings or deadlines (if any). These dates may appear on notices, letters, or court papers.
Do not apply online if:
- You know or think that CLA may already be representing the other side in your case. Call us on the telephone.
- You have already applied for help for this problem. Call us on the telephone.
- You are concerned that the computer you are using may not be secure, and there is a risk that someone else may find out you have contacted legal services for help. Be aware that not all computers are secure. If you use a computer shared by others, they may be able to find out that you have applied online for legal help. Instead, call us on the telephone.
