Civil Legal Aid in North Carolina. An Overview

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Rudolf McGee
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1 Civil Legal Aid in North Carolina An Overview By Martin H. Brinkley, President North Carolina Bar Association February 9, 2012 Legal Aid Clients Legal aid clients are: Working Families Children The Elderly 75% of clients are women Typical household income is $12,000 1

2012 Legal Aid Clients Legal aid clients are: Working Families

2 What is civil legal aid? Civil legal aid means providing free legal services to low-income people in noncriminal cases. Civil cases can involve the loss of home, family, livelihood and personal safety. Civil legal aid programs do not handle personal injury, medical malpractice or other tort cases. Who provides civil legal aid? Legal aid programs are independent nonprofits. NC s legal aid programs are: Legal Aid of North Carolina (LANC) serves residents in every county from 20 offices. Legal Services of Southern Piedmont (LSSP) is located in Charlotte and serves residents in the Charlotte-metro area and in west-central N.C. Pisgah Legal Services (PLS) is located in Asheville and serves residents of Buncombe, Henderson, Madison, Polk, Rutherford, and Transylvania counties. 2

Who provides civil legal aid? Legal aid programs are independent nonprofits. NC s legal aid programs are: Legal Aid of North Carolina (LANC) serves residents in every county from 20 offices.

3 Who is eligible? Legal aid programs serve North Carolina s most vulnerable citizens. Generally, legal aid clients must be below 125% of the federal poverty level. 125% of the federal poverty line for an individual is: 125% of the federal poverty line for a family of four is: $13,963 (Annual Income) $28,813 (Annual Income) How many are eligible? 2 million citizens, 22% of the population. 772,000 children, 34% of all children. 206,000 senior citizens, 18% of all seniors. 15% increase in eligible population since the recession began in Source: U.S. Census Bureau reports on Income, Poverty and Health Insurance, 2008 to

125% of the federal poverty line for an individual is: 125% of the federal poverty line for a family of four is: $13,963 (Annual Income) $28,813 (Annual

4 A Growing Eligible Population 2,500,000 60% increase from 2000 to ,000,000 1,500,000 1,000,000 1,280,000 1,400,000 1,563,000 1,704,000 1,611,000 1,574,000 1,639,000 1,920,000 1,764,000 1,970,000 2,035, , Source: U.S. Census Bureau reports on Income, Poverty and Health Insurance, 2000 to What does legal aid do? Help victims of domestic violence escape abuse; Fight scams upon consumers, especially seniors; Preserve homes, prevent homelessness and improve housing conditions; Protect and improve household income for families and seniors; Establish eligibility for access to medical care and coverage in federal programs; Recruit and train private lawyers to donate their time, money and services in order to increase access and to reduce the overall costs. 4

Help victims of domestic violence escape abuse; Fight scams upon consumers, especially seniors; Preserve homes, prevent homelessness and improve housing conditions; Protect and improve household

5 Legal Aid Fights Domestic Violence The N.C. Council for Women reports its programs served an average of nearly 60,000 victims of domestic violence annually for the last 3 years. The N.C. Department of Justice reports an average of more than 100 domestic violencerelated homicides annually from 2008 to Legal aid programs help victims and their children escape abuse by obtaining and enforcing protective orders and helping victims establish financial independence from their abusers. Legal Aid Prevents Foreclosure In NC last year, between 2,000 and 3,000 homes were threatened by foreclosure every month. Legal Aid of North Carolina s foreclosure caseload more than doubled from 2008 to Negotiation not Litigation: Legal aid works with lenders and homeowners to save homes and preserve community property value. 5

Legal Aid Prevents Foreclosure In NC last year, between 2,000 and 3,000 homes were threatened by foreclosure every month.

6 Legal Aid Brings Federal Dollars to NC Legal aid helps clients secure hundreds of millions of dollars in federal benefits every year which directly contribute to NC s economy. The Earned Income Tax Credit provides relief for low-income working families. 20% of workers eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit do not apply for it. $2.05 billion in Earned Income Tax Credits came to North Carolina in Legal Aid Leverages Pro Bono Legal aid programs leverage the resources of thousands of lawyers who volunteer tens of thousands of hours to legal aid clients. For pro bono to work well, volunteer lawyers need a robust legal aid infrastructure to provide recruitment, training and support. The NC legal community recognizes its professional responsibility and is committed to increasing pro bono participation. 6

05 billion in Earned Income Tax Credits came to North Carolina in 2011.

7 Legal Aid Does Not Clog the Courts North Carolina s legal aid programs resolve more than 70% of their cases outside of court. Many cases are resolved by a phone call or letter. Legal aid litigates only the most meritorious cases and successfully defends 90% of them. Legal Aid Faces Funding Shortfalls Legal aid funding from primary sources has been in steep decline in recent years: United Way funding dropped by 14%. Federal funding has been cut by 18%. State funding is down by 20%. Funding from the State Bar s Interest on Lawyers Trust Account program has plummeted by 40%. 7

Legal Aid Faces Funding Shortfalls Legal aid funding from primary sources has been in steep decline in recent years: United Way funding dropped

8 Need is Up, Funding is Down 2,100,000 Need is Increasing $19,000,000 Funding is Decreasing 2,000,000 $18,000,000 1,900,000 $17,000,000 1,800,000 1,700,000 $16,000,000 1,600, $15,000, Impact of Funding Cuts Funding cuts have forced Legal Aid of North Carolina to close 4 offices and lay off 30 employees. Restoring recent state funding cuts could provide services to an additional 4,000 to 5,000 households each year. 8

of Funding Cuts Funding cuts have forced Legal Aid of North Carolina to close 4 offices and lay off 30 employees.

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