**What is Legal Aid?**
Legal aid services are vital in ensuring that everyone has access to the legal system, regardless of their income status. Primarily offered by non-profit organizations, these public interest law services provide much-needed assistance to those unable to afford a commercial attorney.
As you might expect, the types of assistance offered through legal aid are varied, and may range from giving advice on legal matters to fully represent you throughout your case. Of course, the legal issues covered vary based on the particular organization offering services, but they typically involve civil matters only and can include family, housing, bankruptcy , domestic violence, employment, disability and immigration law.
In the vast majority of cases, legal aid services will only choose to represent low-income adults or children. For instance, some organizations will not accept someone’s case if they have an annual income over 200 percent the federal poverty guidelines. Others may have a higher income limit, but there is undoubtedly a limit that must be observed.
However, legal aid services are imperative for low-income people who need representation in various situations. Without them, it would be extremely difficult for most low-income people to gain equal footing in the legal system.
**Eligibility Requirements for Legal Aid in Chesterfield**
Eligibility Requirements for Legal Aid in Chesterfield
The eligibility to receive assistance from Chesterfield County legal aid agency is primarily determined by the applicant’s financial resources. Generally, a person must be a low-income individual in order to qualify for Chesterfield legal aid. Family income should not exceed your guidelines for poverty for the state of Virginia. You may be required to show proof of your income as well as your financial situation, so all necessary documentation should be kept in an organized format and be able to be provided on request.
A household is considered a unit; which includes the legal dependent of the head of the household, the spouse of the unit, and any legal dependents of any other party within the home. Basically, applicant criteria includes everyone who resides within applicant’s household.
Other important criteria include:
It is also noted that legal aid in Chesterfield initiation is made on the basis of the applicant’s income restrictions. In most cases, that restriction is established by poverty guidelines established by the federal government. Legal services are limited to the extent of available funding.
In the Chesterfield area, legal aid eligibility requirements often differ from those of our neighboring counties. This restriction is in relation to available funding and the legal aid programs. The local legal aid program is general assistance; meaning that it can cover a variety of civil issues. This is in addition to protecting the funding from the state of Virginia.
In cases where there are mishaps in the application or intake process, applicants will be notified to contact the legal assistance office for a phone evaluation, which will determine whether or not legal aid is required.
**Different Types of Legal Aid**
Types of Legal Aid Available In Chesterfield Virginia
Within Chesterfield, services are offered from a variety of different organizations. Most, however, are conducted through the Central Virginia Legal Aid Society. They offer pro bono services and unbundled legal help to low-income families and individuals. Their focus is on those facing foreclosure, eviction and domestic violence or those seeking guardianship over minor children. They help people with bankruptcy filings and unemployment denial appeals. Some of the other issues they can help with include child custody and support matters, Consumer Protection Law Violations, select tax controversies, victims of domestic violence, guardianships for adults, foreclosure and termination of utility services, protection against harassment by creditors and legal guardianships for minors.
Another organization that offers legal representation in Chesterfield is the Legal Aid Justice Center. Through its local, statewide and regional partners, it provides free legal services to those that qualify. The Chesterfield office is devoted exclusively to help those with housing concerns. The mission of the Legal Aid Justice Center is to advocate for racial and economic justice in VA and help the most vulnerable communities find their voice. In Chesterfield, they help families from different walks of life find equal access to safe and affordable housing options.
While the Central Virginia Legal Aid Society and Legal Aid Justice Center help with housing, the Central Virginia Legal Aid Society helps families that are about to lose their homes and helps families recover. They have 2 attorneys who specialize in family law issues. They represent custodial parents, non-custodial parents and grandparents in Chesterfield. A significant portion of their clients are victims of domestic violence. The services we offer revolve around child custody, support and visitation matters. Their services primarily include family law, domestic violence, bankruptcies, Medicaid planning and Social Security disability appeals.
**Where to Find Legal Aid Resources**
Meeting the eligibility requirements, merely being a resident of Chesterfield does not guarantee that you will be awarded legal aid. Therefore, search for organizations in your local area that have been authorized to provide legal aid funds to low-income residents of Chesterfield. From here, you may work with the organization to apply for legal aid or to get more information on their services. Resident in Chesterfield can receive free legal service by contacting Community Legal Services of Chesterfield. Now Serving Chesterfield County, Virginia, Community Legal Services of Chesterfield is an organization that serves people in poverty, solving basic legal needs through brief legal services and application to a specific program. Their fields of practice include Family, General Advice/Brief Services, Housing, Labor / Employment, And Landlord Tenant. Community Legal Services of Chesterfield is located at 2016 New Market Rd. Chesterfield, VA 23831. Their hot line is (804) 425-8000, and they offer limited walk-in clinics for client assistance . Their client intake period is from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM on Fridays, and clients are seen by appointment on these days. Services are provided in the client’s preferred language, whether it is Spanish, Urdu, Dari, Pashto, or another language. However, if a translator cannot be found, the service is offered in English, too. Legal Aid Justice Center (LAJC) is yet another local legal aid option. This organization primarily focuses on supporting many of the most vulnerable individuals in Chesterfield, including children, the homeless, domestic violence survivors, people currently and formerly incarcerated, and immigrants. They offer assistance with public benefits access, housing, voting rights, and other various types of cases. LAJC works to improve the lives of low-income and working class low-income people in Virginia. LAJC offers free legal aid clinics that allow participants to gain information, legal advice, and representation from volunteer lawyers, and a range of informational resources, including pamphlets, pamphlets, and videos, that help the low-income population find affordable legal services in various fields.
**How to Apply for Legal Aid**
Applying for legal aid in Chesterfield, VA is not as daunting a task as it may seem. The first step is to find the organization that may help you. There are many options depending on your needs, but Legal Services of Virginia and the Virginia Bar Association Resource Guides are the two most common resources. Both are located online; simply do a search for them and the Chesterfield area will appear. On the website, you will be able to find forms needed for your particular case or need.
The next step is to carefully fill out the form. Make sure to include all information required. Try to ensure that the packets are neat and organized, as this can help the organization process your packet in a timely manner. You will most likely be required to submit a financial statement, so keep all monetary documents organized and in one place.
The final step is to submit the packet. There should be a specific instruction manual to inform the requester exactly how to submit their paperwork. For example, some may require that the packet is placed in a physical mailbox or given to a member of the staff at the organization.
If you have questions, contact the organization directly for help. Many have dedicated staff who are willing to assist with the process. Remember that they are there to help you with your legal needs.
**Problems and Challenges When Accessing Legal Aid**
While the legal aid services in Chesterfield, VA are indispensable to many residents, there are instances where accessing these services can be a challenge. First, eligibility for legal aid is often the first hurdle. Individuals looking for assistance must meet specific income and financial limits to qualify, and the process to determine eligibility can be lengthy. Residents who have difficulty demonstrating eligibility may find that the process to receive assistance from the legal aid office is frustrating. In addition, some forms of assistance may not apply for those who are not residents or citizens of the United States.
Beyond strict eligibility requirements, difficulties with the legal system itself can create barriers to legal aid in Chesterfield. For example, language can be a challenge for non-English speaking residents who need legal assistance, and this challenge has spurred local groups to provide bilingual services. However, while many of these services do exist, it may take time for a resident to be matched with a service in his or her preferred language. Such a delay in the assistance process can create frustration for many residents in need of urgent help.
Mobility is another factor that can make legal aid difficult for some residents to access . For instance, the Chesterfield legal aid office is located in downtown Chesterfield, and some residents without transportation may be required to spend a significant amount of money getting to the office. While the free legal clinics spread throughout the city remove this challenge to an extent, the cost to find other transportation can pose a financial hardship to some residents with minimal income.
In an effort to address some of these challenges, public offices and local organizations have been working to move legal aid services closer to those in need. The Chesterfield County Public Library system has been working with legal aid offices to open up free legal aid clinics at various locations throughout the city. These locations eliminate the need for residents to take a day off of work to meet a legal aid office during business hours, and instead allow residents to meet with attorneys and other representatives on evenings and weekends. Though the clinics are meant to serve residents during a specific time frame, if demand persists, the public library system and legal aid offices in Chesterfield are committed to opening up additional clinics to continue helping the local community.