Roanoke Legal Aid: What You Need to Know About Free Legal Services
Legal Aid in Roanoke: An Overview
Legal aid in Roanoke, Virginia, is the provision of legal aid services to low-income individuals and families. A legal aid plan attempts to ensure that low-income individuals are not deprived of their rights and assistance in civil matters involving custody, housing and other key issues. Low income and vulnerable populations are served by legal aid in Roanoke, and throughout the state of Virginia.
Virginia legal aid services help many Roanoke area residents, including those that the Virginia Supreme Court says are at 200 percent of the poverty level or below. Some legal aid programs only help low-income people at 125 percent of the poverty level , and some will serve those with income level two to three times the Federal poverty levels.
In Virginia, legal aid includes representation for closed criminal records and juvenile records, public benefits like Social Security and SSI, disability benefits, unemployment claims and evictions, foreclosures and delinquencies, general civil litigation, immigration issues, domestic relations issues, surviving spouses and estates, Chapter 7 bankruptcy and non-criminal matters involving youth.
Legal aid is funded in Virginia by the state and federal government, as well as charities, the United Way, the legal community and private fundraising. Legal Aid in Roanoke is offered free of charge to residents in need, as per eligibility requirements.
Types of Legal Matters Roanoke Legal Aid Handles
The core mission of Roanoke Legal Aid is to extend free legal service to the most vulnerable members of society. For over a half century, attorneys have been changing the lives of the poor, elderly, and disabled through extensive pro bono work. Although many people believe that the only legal issues that Roanoke Legal Aid covers are estate planning, divorce, and other family law matters, the range of services is much wider than one might expect.
- Housing issues such as unlawful evictions and slum conditions are handled almost daily. The housing department of Roanoke Legal Aid can help with a wide variety of landlord-tenant issues, including any action based on non-payment of rent, residential eviction notices, appeals to district and circuit courts, and hearings related to forcible entry and detainer. Representation can take the form of either full representation or advice in small claims court.
- Family law issues also encompass a spectrum of cases. In addition to divorces and separations, Roanoke Legal Aid specializes in cases in which there are not only children involved, but also violence. Examples include domestic violence protective orders and other forms of abuse. Fortunately, clients benefit from trained and experienced staff and a wide array of resources.
- Employment issues are another area handled by qualified staff at Roanoke Legal Aid. The range of employment cases spans discrimination, vandalism and defamation issues, wrongful termination, sexual harassment, wage and hour disputes, and workplace accidents and injuries. If a person believes they may have been a victim of any of these cases, they should contact an attorney immediately.
- Consumer rights and bankruptcy cases are covered by Roanoke Legal Aid. Services include representation in collections actions, cheks/ATM fraud, consumer fraud, deceptive lending practices, denial of vehicle registration, property tax foreclosure, and protection of property tax exemptions.
Who is Eligible for Legal Aid in Roanoke?
For those new to Legal Aid, each county has certain requirements that you must meet in order to receive legal assistance. These requirements can range from restrictions placed upon income to the type of case you are requesting assistance for.
In the Roanoke area, qualifications to receive legal aid include: Income is generally measured against the poverty guidelines set by the Department of Health & Human Services. The charts below contain the income limits for individuals and families in Roanoke, Virginia:
When you apply for legal aid, you may be asked to provide a W-2 or a paycheck stub to verify your income.
The types of cases handled by Roanoke Legal Aid are: family, employment, housing, consumer, and benefits cases involving SSI, SSDI, and TANF. The area of law handled by Roanoke Legal Aid is fairly narrow, however, even if you do not qualify for assistance from Roanoke Legal Aid, they may refer you to a qualified legal professional who offers affordable fees to the economically disadvantaged.
In terms of documentation and the application process, when you apply to determine whether you qualify for legal aid, you will need to provide certain documents, such as a driver’s license and other forms of identification, statements from banks and other financial institutions, income statements, etc. Many of these documents are simple to obtain. If you’re not sure about any of this, simply contact Roanoke Legal Aid for guidance. The organization has a wealth of resources to help people determine whether they qualify for legal aid.
Finding Legal Aid Offices Near You in Roanoke
Roanoke residents requiring legal assistance have access to several legal aid offices in their area. These organizations provide valuable services, including free legal help for civil matters, information about their programs, alternatives to self-help, and referrals to other agencies.
Alderson-Broaddus College Legal Clinic
The Alderson-Broaddus College Legal Clinic runs a satellite location that is open on Wednesdays between 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. at 320 11th St., SE, Roanoke, VA 24013.
Clients are seen by appointment only.
Phone: (304) 457-6286
Blue Ridge Women’s Center
Located at 1515 1st St., SW, Roanoke, VA 24016, the Blue Ridge Women’s Center is available to help women and families throughout the Roanoke Valley.
Hours of operation are Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Phone: (540) 362-0061
Lovingston Office
The Lovingston Office is part of the Legal Aid Society of Roanoke’s service area and provides legal assistance to low-income individuals and families in Nelson County. The office is located at 8519 Thomas Nelson Highway, Suite B, Lovingston, VA 22949.
Phone: (804) 265-1830
Legal Aid Society of Roanoke
Client fees for the Legal Aid Society of Roanoke are determined on a sliding scale based on the results of a financial assessment.
Legal Aid Society of Roanoke provides assistance for consumer issues, debt collection, housing, employment law, family law, government benefits and elder law.
The legal aid office is located at 710 13th St., SW, Suite 300, Roanoke, VA 24016.
The court referral office is located at 303 2nd St., SW, Suite 1, Roanoke, VA 24011.
The women’s center office is located at 1501 4th St., SW, Roanoke, VA 24016.
Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Phone: (540) 344-2088
Virginia Legal Aid Society, Inc.
Located on the 7th floor at 720 13th St., SW, Bicentennial Court II, Roanoke, VA 20416, the Virginia Legal Aid Society is available to help low-income people in court cases that involve the problems of daily life, such as domestic relations, consumer, housing and public benefits cases.
A legal assistant assesses eligibility for legal aid services, offers advice and counsel, and refers clients who need an attorney to an attorney for further assistance.
Phone: (800) 279-2297
Benefits of Legal Aid Services
The provision of free legal services is crucial to upholding the fundamental rights of individuals facing legal challenges. Legal aid services, such as those provided by Roanoke Legal Aid, play a vital role in resolving legal disputes, protecting the rights of the vulnerable, and promoting access to justice for all.
One of the major benefits of legal aid services is their ability to help resolve legal disputes that may have a significant impact on an individual’s life. Whether it is a family law case, housing problem, or a public benefits issue, having access to a qualified attorney can make all the difference. For instance, legal aid services frequently assist domestic violence survivors in obtaining protective orders, addressing custody concerns, and securing safe housing.
Legal aid services also serve to protect the rights of the most vulnerable individuals in our communities, such as low-income families, seniors, veterans, and persons with disabilities. These groups often face unique challenges and barriers when it comes to accessing legal representation. In this context, legal aid services are not just about resolving a case but about ensuring that the rights of these individuals are protected and upheld .
Furthermore, by promoting access to justice, legal aid services help to ensure a more fair and transparent legal system. When everyone, regardless of their socio-economic status, has access to legal help, the integrity of the legal system is enhanced. Legal aid services contribute to more consistent and equitable outcomes in the legal process, and in doing so, they strengthen the rule of law and foster public confidence in the legal system.
Here are a few testimonials from Roanoke Legal Aid clients who have experienced the transformative power of legal aid:
Thanks to Roanoke Legal Aid, Mary was able to secure a protective order against her abuser and obtain sole custody of her children, enabling them to live in a safe environment. John, a disabled veteran, was facing eviction from his apartment due to a rent dispute. Roanoke Legal Aid helped him navigate the process and negotiate a fair settlement that allowed him to stay in his home. After securing a benefits increase through Roanoke Legal Aid, Sarah was able to afford essential medical care and put food on the table for her family. As you can see, legal aid services provide invaluable support in a wide range of legal matters, from family and housing issues to public benefits and beyond. They ensure that the rights of individuals are safeguarded and justice is served.
Legal Aid in Roanoke: Common Challenges
Though Roanoke legal aid services are inexpensive and even free, they still have their share of challenges. For legal aid in Roanoke to function smoothly, the lawyers and volunteers involved have to be constantly aware of the community’s changing needs and capable of adjusting their services accordingly. This is particularly important in a field where client outreach determines success. In today’s fast-paced world, many local volunteer attorneys struggle to find time for clients, especially when it comes to pro bono work. This means legal aid volunteers are unable to accept as many clients as they could without this scheduling pressure. Meanwhile, the local community they serve continues to grow in terms of both size and need. Unfortunately, more often than not, it has become hard for legal aid in Roanoke to keep up. When the need outpaces available supplies, legal aid services like legal aid in Roanoke cannot meet the demands of every client. Legal aid in Roanoke encounters situations when staff lawyers can accept almost twice as many clients as they can actually help. The resulting backlog creates delays for clients who are already in need of urgent legal help, which in turn leads to frustrated clients and burned-out staff. As litigation increases in demands on the legal system, funding for legal aid and social services struggles to keep pace. Like other nonprofits and social programs, legal aid services require a certain level of funding to sustain them. Many legal aid organizations receive the majority of their resources through federal and state grants. When those sources become limited or unavailable, legal aid organizations can struggle to continue offering their services.
How to Support Legal Aid
While legal aid organizations provide critical services for those who cannot afford legal representation, they face serious funding challenges. Because of these fiscal constraints, numerous initiatives rely on support from the community at large in order to provide a robust, comprehensive range of services.
One of the most effective ways to support Roanoke Legal Aid is through philanthropy. In addition to direct donations, sponsoring fundraising events for local legal aid groups can help raise awareness about their initiatives while also soliciting much-needed financial support. Those interested in making a difference for their neighbors who are in need of legal assistance should consider dedicating their time and resources to these groups. They can also take part in any number of fundraisers , informational seminars, or other events. By doing so, they can raise social consciousness about the plights faced by so many residents, as well as the vital role that’s played by local legal aid organizations.
All of these efforts are critical in meeting the legal needs of low-income residents. Those who are short on time but still wish to contribute to the effort can do so with financial donations, which are always welcomed by local legal aid groups. Contributions to such groups are tax-deductible and generally used to support the most needy in our community—such as vulnerable children or the disabled, the elderly, or military veterans.