If you can't afford a lawyer, you might qualify for free or lower-cost legal help. Most organizations who provide free or lower-cost help, use the Federal Poverty Level to decide who they can help.
What is the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)?
The FPL is a way to measure how much money a person or family makes. It is set by the federal government, changes every year and is based on where you live. The FPL is often used to see if you can get some types of government help, like free school lunches, food stamps or Medicaid.
Why do I have to share my income when looking for legal help?
Our website asks for your income so we can tell you about help that you are financially eligible for. If you contact an organization that has financial eligibility rules, they will also ask you for your income and financial information to see if you qualify for their help.
If I'm financially eligible, does that guarantee I will get free or low-cost legal help?
No. Most organizations in our Referral Database do not have enough staff to give free or low-cost legal help to everyone that qualifies. They can usually only help with a small list of high-need legal issues. Your legal issue must be within that list of legal issues to get help.
What if I don't qualify, or I'm not looking for free or low-cost legal help?
You can find a lawyer using Oregon’s free Lawyer Referral Service. This service can help you find a lawyer in your area who can help with your legal issue.