What Is Legal Aid?
Legal Aid is a term used to describe continued access to the court system by individuals who may otherwise be unable to afford the retainer and additional costs necessary to obtain full representation by an attorney. In the end, Legal Aid is a safety device through which the court system allows individuals and families in need to achieve the same legal protection enjoyed by more affluent individuals and families. In New York State these services are generally administered through a legal services agency that operates with aid from the State of New York , as well as private sources and grants.
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The limitations placed on Legal Aid services generally mean that these resources are only available to "low income" individuals (as governed by a sliding scale based on the Department of Health and Human Services 2015 poverty guidelines).
Am I Eligible for Legal Aid in Oswego?
Residents of Oswego, NY who are in need of legal aid services must meet certain criteria to qualify for assistance. Legal aid is generally available to those who are unable to afford representation and have specific civil legal needs. The types of cases that are covered by legal aid offices may vary and are typically based on availability of funding and the organization’s ability to provide quality representation to all applicants.
Income limitation is a common across-the-board qualifier for legal aid and is determined by federal poverty guidelines. State and federal guidelines take into account household size, with a larger household requiring a higher income to qualify. Legal aid organizations in Oswego will ask for documentation proving income from applicants as well as any assets that may disqualify them. In addition to income, legal aid offices will also assess the resources of potential clients to determine if their assets are in line with program eligibility.
Each legal aid organization has its own qualification rules in place based on local factors and availability of funding. Additionally, the types of cases that are accepted may be limited to domestic matters, elder issues and other specific categories. Some cases may also fall outside the scope of legal aid involvement and are better served by law school clinics or private attorneys willing to work on a pro bono basis.
Clients who require representation and assistance in obtaining public benefits, housing, disability, mental health issues or family matters such as divorce or child custody may be eligible for legal aid services. Those who have already been denied benefits, suffer from communication barriers or need assistance due to ongoing legal issues may also qualify.
Oswego’s Legal Aid Organizations
A number of legal organizations in and around Oswego, NY make it their mission to provide free, comprehensive services to those who qualify. Of course, each organization has its own mission and area of focus, which is why we created this brief overview of the major legal aid options in Oswego.
Legal Services of Central New York, Inc.
Legal Services of Central New York, Inc. was founded with the mission of providing free and comprehensive legal services to the poor, concentrating on civil cases and matters. The non-profit provides numerous legal resources to the community:
Website: www.lscny.org
Phone: 315-703-6600 (Oswego office)
1-800-479-4031
Contact: [email protected] (if you are requesting legal assistance)
Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc.
Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc. provides a range of services to its clients, representing low-income individuals to prevent loss of shelter, or prevent being under threat of eviction or foreclosure. The organization also works with victims of domestic violence who are low income and provides aid where housing is unsafe or if domestic violence is imminent in the home. Free legal representation is offered for victims of discrimination, as well.
Website: www.lawny.org
Phone: 315-342-4050 (Oswego office)
Volunteer Legal Service Project of Onondaga County
The Volunteer Legal Service Project of Onondaga County helps match those eligible for legal assistance with pro bono attorneys who will provide free legal help. The organization employs private attorneys, student interns, non-attorney volunteers, and volunteers from neighborhood associations to meet the legal needs of the community.
Legal representation is provided to those who need affordable legal assistance in a variety of matters, including landowner/tenant issues, consumer protection, family law, health care coverage, and other civil matters.
Website: http://www.onbar.org/
The Pro Bono Partnership
The Pro Bono Partnership provides business and transactional legal services to a variety of non-profit organizations. The volunteer attorneys at the organization help charities, schools, cultural institutions, and more with:
Website: www.probonopartner.org
Phone: 914-928-8812
Legal Aid Cases They Handle
In Oswego, legal aid services are designed to handle a range of different types of cases for individuals who cannot afford to hire a private attorney. There are several primary case types the civil legal aid attorneys are prepared to handle, including family law matters, housing issues, public benefits and government programs, employment matters, and tax foreclosure and bankruptcy.
Family law issues encompass a wide range of complex legal areas. Legal aid attorneys routinely help clients with custody and visitation issues following a divorce. For those who are seeking to finalize a divorce , legal aid may be able to assist with the paperwork required to get it completed. People who still owe child support or have been denied support may be able to get help from legal aid as well.
Housing issues can be incredibly complicated and difficult for someone without legal training to handle. Legal aid attorneys understand the implications that can derive once a landlord or other housing entity files eviction proceedings. They can offer smart, effective strategies that can help landlords and tenants avoid extensive court battles that can eat into valuable resources for long with representation from legal aid.
How to Get Legal Aid
In Oswego, NY, the process of applying for legal aid services is designed to identify individuals and families who are in the most need. Since legal aid services are free of charge, it’s essential that applicants truly require the services offered. While the general application process if fairly straightforward, certain steps are necessary to ensure fairness among all applicants.
The entirety of the application process takes place on the phone or in person at the legal aid office. Legal aid in Oswego County is handled through the central New York branch of the Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York. The office is located at 31 East Bridge Street in Oswego, NY. You can apply for legal aid services over the phone by calling 315-342-4200. If you’d prefer to apply for legal aid services in person, you will need to go to the legal aid office directly.
Once you are in touch with an attorney or staff member, they will ask you some basic questions regarding your legal situation and the services you are seeking. Be prepared to provide information regarding your income, as well as any other information pertaining to your case. Based on the information you provide, the staff member will be able to inform you of any available legal aid services. Applicants should be advised that services may be limited, depending on the nature of the legal issue in question.
If you’re applying for legal aid services for the first time, don’t be overly concerned if you have some difficulty filling out the legal aid application. Experienced staff members will be able to help you understand any difficulties you may have. They will also be able to assist you in locating any information you may have difficulty finding.
In the event that you are denied legal aid services, don’t be discouraged. The attorneys and legal professionals at the legal aid office will advise applicants on how to best address their legal situation, even independent of legal aid. Applicants may be required to find legal counsel independent of the legal aid society if legal aid services are unavailable.
What to Do When Legal Aid Isn’t Available
Should you find that you do not qualify for legal aid, this may be disheartening, but there are alternatives. Residents of Oswego will be happy to know that there are pro bono services available through local private attorneys. The Central New York Legal Aid Society and the Onondaga County Bar Association are also a good resource in this regard. In addition, the True North Legal Clinic and the Fulton Legal Clinic are excellent places to seek legal assistance , even if you may not qualify for traditional legal aid. The True North Legal Clinic is a service provided by the Family Counseling Center of Cortland County. This service is a resource for specific types of family law matters. It offers representation, assessment and consultation on child support, spousal support and domestic violence matters. The Fulton Legal Clinic is offered by the United Friends of Fulton Advocacy Center Inc. This clinic has been invited by the Oswego County Bar Association to hold a monthly clinic in Fulton. They provide representation in civil matters. Local law schools may also offer students a way to receive legal assistance. This may be worth considering.