Diving Into Determining Legal Aid Eligibility
The criteria for qualifying for legal aid services in DeKalb County may be more lenient than you anticipated. While there are many factors to consider, there are two primary standards that are set to determine eligibility: asset limits and income limits. The asset limit refers to the maximum amount of resources a person can own while still qualifying for legal aid. Oftentimes, houses and cars do not count towards this limit—but it all depends on the legal aid provider you contact. The standard for income eligibility varies depending on the type of case you have. For instance, a low-income family facing foreclosure is likely to qualify , while those involved in a divorce or family law case may or may not qualify according to income limits.
At the outset of your case, an attorney will examine your finances closely to determine whether you qualify for free legal aid services—and they are not alone. Legal services at the Georgia Bar Association will evaluate financial need and verify the need for representation on a case-by-case basis. It is important to store financial documents in a safe and organized place so that your attorney can easily access them. Since such documents are often required at the start of a case and throughout the process, being organized can help your legal aid provider serve you efficiently and effectively.
Major Legal Aid Agencies in DeKalb County
In DeKalb County, there are a number of organizations that offer free or low-cost legal services to low-income residents.
Georgia Legal Services Program (GLSP) delivers free civil legal services to low-income Georgians in rural areas through a network of offices across the state. GLSP is comprised of four regional offices that include the Athens, Gainesville, Macon, and Lawrenceville offices. The Gwinnett Justice and Progressive Program (GJPP) is also part of the GLSP network and serves residents of Gwinnett County. DeKalb residents may be eligible for pro bono representation through GJPP. Eligibility for services through a GLSP regional office, such as those in Athens and Macon, is income-based and determined on a case-by-case basis. As of June 2016, eligibility for income-based services is defined as a maximum annual income of $32,013 for a one-person family, $43,535 for a two-person family, and an additional $14,661 for each additional family member.
The DeKalb Senior Legal Hotline is a free and confidential telephone clinic held during business hours on the second Monday of every month. Issues addressed include Medicaid, estate planning, and landlord-tenant issues. Seniors 60 years and older and caregivers of seniors are eligible to attend. While pre-registration is not required, participants are encouraged to call 404-377-3836 to schedule a time to speak with an attorney. To receive timely legal advice, participants must call before 4 p.m. on the day of the event.
The Georgia Alliance to Improve Housing through Mediation (GAIHIM) is a volunteer organization that seeks to end homelessness in DeKalb County by providing volunteer attorneys to people who are facing eviction in Justice of the Peace, State and Superior courts. GAIHIM assisted over 1,000 people in DeKalb County last year. Without this assistance, most people would have lost their home or have been placed in a worse financial situation.
Atlanta Legal Aid provides legal services to low-income individuals and families who cannot afford the legal system. Lawyers and legal aides provide assistance in civil cases and educate individuals on basic legal rights and responsibilities. Individuals or families who are facing a civil legal matter should contact Atlanta Legal Aid to determine eligibility for representation.
For more than twenty years, the Georgia Justice Project has provided pro bono representation to low-income individuals living with criminal records who are unable to regain full citizenship in their neighborhoods. The project gives away twice as many practice guides to self-represented individuals as the next leading self-help resource in the Atlanta area. GJP aims to break the cycle of poverty and crime among low-income citizens.
Signing Up for Legal Aid Services
The process for applying for legal aid in DeKalb County involves several simple steps aimed at determining eligibility and the extent of services needed. Below is a step-by-step guide to help residents navigate the application process and understand what information and documentation may be required.
Step 1: Screening for Eligibility
To begin, individuals seeking legal aid must undergo a financial screening to assess their eligibility for assistance, as legal aid services are primarily available for those who meet certain financial criteria. This screening process generally entails answering a few questions regarding household income, number of dependents, and housing stability.
Step 2: Gather Documentation
If you are screened for eligibility, you will need to provide some documentation to support your application. This may include identification cards (such as a driver’s license or state-issued ID), proof of residence (like a utility bill, lease agreement, or mortgage statement), and, if applicable, documentation related to your financial situation (e.g., proof of income or assets). Note that each legal aid provider may require different sets of documents, so check the specific requirements for the organization you choose to contact.
Step 3: Application Submission
Once you have completed the eligibility screening and gathered all required documentation, you can submit your application. Many legal aid organizations in DeKalb County offer online application forms that can be filled out on their websites, but applications can also be submitted over the phone or in person depending on the provider’s policies.
Step 4: Waiting for Determination and Services
After your application is submitted, legal aid staff will review your information and determine what services may be available to you, if any. In some cases, you may be contacted to schedule a follow-up appointment, while other applicants may receive assistance on a walk-in basis.
It is important to keep in mind that while legal aid can often provide significant support to those in need, the level of assistance available can vary on a case-by-case basis and may be limited by the resources of the particular legal aid provider.
Popular Legal Matters Dealt with in DeKalb County Aid
A number of key legal issues arise frequently in DeKalb County, and often call for the direct intervention of legal aid organizations. Housing issues occupy a large portion of the available caseload, with these families needing help determining whether they need shelters, utility assistance programs, or even advocacy for an apartment or home rental agreement.
Eviction stands out as the most common housing-related legal issue, though mortgage disputes are also an important part of providing necessary legal aid. When struggling to make ends meet, a lack of affordable housing can be a serious issue , and as many as 35 percent of individuals seeking free legal aid in DeKalb are looking for ways to avoid homelessness.
These concerns for housing security are complemented by family law issues, which also tend to occupy a large portion of free legal aid in DeKalb. Divorce is among the most visible of these, as it carries with it opportunities for legal issues in child custody, alimony, and child support.
Wills and other estate planning issues are areas of growing concern, especially as the population ages. Finally, consumer rights and landlord/tenant disputes are also prominent legal issues for which legal assistance is in high demand.
The Pluses of Engaging with Legal Aid
The first and most obvious benefit of legal aid is that it is free or low-cost. Although legal aid is not always provided for free, the hourly rate by which an attorney is paid for work done on your case will not be anywhere near what you see with private attorneys. While this can vary from program to program, as well as from one state to the next, you might be charged as little as $25 per hour. This can save you thousands of dollars on your divorce or child custody case.
Another benefit is the fact that legal aid programs are often staffed by the top lawyers in the community. Many legal aid attorneys come from private practice backgrounds but have moved to legal aid for a variety of reasons. Perhaps they want more time to focus on their clients, or maybe they simply want to do more challenging legal work. Whatever the reason, what they bring to the table is their expertise. Legal aid attorneys are generally licensed to practice law in the state in which you are seeking assistance, and many have years of solid experience.
A third key benefit to working with legal aid is accessibility. When you walk into a private law firm, it can be intimidating. Their offices are usually plush, with expensive artwork and high-end furniture. The legal aid office is not likely to have the same ambiance. Instead of high prices, you will likely only be charged a nominal fee or no fee at all. The environment puts you at ease while letting you get the important legal help you need.
Roadblocks in Accessing Legal Aid
With only a handful of local legal aid agencies available in the area, the struggle to access justice in DeKalb County is particularly steep compared to many other parts of the nation that offer much better resources and legal aid services to their residents. The current state of accessibility surrounding legal aid in DeKalb County is less than ideal. Many people in need of legal assistance do not even know where to go to receive it, and some of those who are aware do not have transportation, funds, or the ability to look information up online. Additionally, the shortage of attorneys willing to offer free or reduced-fee legal help only adds to the challenge. Whether this is a result of the unfortunate economic state in which DeKalb County currently finds itself, the selection process for agencies like the DeKalb County Legal Aid Clinic, or the legal aid messaging campaign in general, legal aid as a whole may not be reaching as many people in the community who need it as it should be.
Unfortunately , many of the residents in DeKalb County are unaware of the existence of legal aid services, and so those individuals never contact the local agencies in search of help. Additionally, many residents do not own a vehicle and cannot easily make their way to any available agencies. Compounding the issue further, those interested in the legal aid options that are out there have trouble finding information pertaining to fees or how to apply for legal aid or services offered. Since there is no method available for monitoring internet access, it is unknown how many residents are without high-speed – and while a majority of the county does have broadband access, increased resources on the internet would be beneficial in easing the obstacle of access that many residents face. As efforts continue to be made to improve transportation and communication in the area, more residents will hopefully be able to find their way to the resources they need.
