Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What types of legal issues can you help with?
LASP provides free legal services in the areas of:
Bankruptcy, consumer law and debt relief
Child custody and dependency
Domestic violence and Protection from Abuse
Elder law
Employment law
Expungement, record-sealing (Clean Slate), and pardons
Family law
Housing, including mortgage foreclosure, landlord/tenant, evictions, public and subsidized housing
Public Benefits, including Unemployment Compensation, SSI, SSDI, TANF (cash assistance), SNAP (food stamps), Medical Assistance (Medicare), and more
Utilities, including LIHEAP (home heating and energy assistance)
Veterans
NOTE: While most of these kinds of cases are handled in all locations, there are some differences between counties in the services provided.
What determines my eligibility?
Eligibility is determined by your monthly income, your current assets, your family size, the type of legal problem you have and where you reside. Applicants must meet financial and asset guidelines to be eligible for services in most cases. (Protection from abuse cases are an exception.) These guidelines are based on family size and are dictated by Federal and State government.
Are your services really free? Are there any fees?
Yes, our services are really free, and there are no hidden fees.
When I call the Helpline, will I speak with an attorney?
You will speak to a trained paralegal or an attorney who will provide information and advise you on your specific situation.
What information will I be asked to provide?
You will be asked to provide financial information, your name, address and telephone number, and specific information about your case. Please have any paperwork about your case (leases, denial letters, application forms, etc.) handy when you call. All information is kept confidential.
What if someone who doesn’t speak English has a legal problem?
A non-English speaking client will be asked to hold, and within minutes an interpreter (available for more than 150 languages) will be put on the line to translate. Our Helpline also has bilingual staff able to help Spanish-speaking callers directly. Se habla espanol.
Can I meet with an attorney?
Depending on your situation, you may be referred to:
An attorney at your local Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania office in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, or Montgomery county.
Another legal service or social service program that handles your particular problem.
Legal Aid classes or legal clinics that help with issues such as custody, bankruptcy, expungements or record-sealing.
OR, if Legal Aid cannot help because of income or other restrictions, you will be directed to your county’s Bar Association or Lawyer Referral Service.
How do I apply?
Call our Regional Helpline at 877-429-5994, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., or apply online 24/7 at lasp.org/apply.
Where are your offices?
We have offices in Bristol, Chester city (Delaware County), two in Doylestown, Media, two in Norristown, Pottstown and West Chester. They are located in each of the counties we serve: Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties. See lasp.org/locations for office locations.
What are your holiday closures?
LASP offices and the Helpline are closed on New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve Day and Christmas Day.
Online applications remain open 24/7!
Legal Aid of Southeastern PA’s Helpline and offices will be closed for these 2024 holidays:
New Year’s Day – Monday, Jan. 1, 2024
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – Monday, Jan. 15, 2024
Presidents’ Day – Monday, Feb. 19, 2024
Memorial Day – Monday, May 27, 2024
Juneteenth – Wednesday, June 19, 2024
Independence Day – Thursday, July 4, 2024
Labor Day – Monday, Sept. 2, 2024
Veterans Day – Monday, Nov. 11, 2024
Thanksgiving Day – Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024
Day after Thanksgiving – Friday, Nov. 29, 2024
Christmas Eve Day – Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024
Christmas – Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024
NOTE: Staff also have two floating holidays.