Online Application

Applying for legal help: what to expect

The first step

The online application is a short set of questions. It helps us see what help might be available for your situation. Most people finish it in a few minutes.

You do not need to create an account, and we do not ask for your name or any other information that identifies you.

The application will ask you to agree to a “Terms of Use” and a “Privacy Policy.” These are highlighted in yellow. This is normal — you can agree and keep going.

After you apply

An intake specialist will call or email you to ask more questions and decide if you qualify for our services. This usually happens within 2 to 3 business days. During busy times and around holidays, it can take longer.

Hold times are usually shortest from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The call center sometimes closes from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Tuesdays or Wednesdays for staff meetings.

Questions you may be asked

Whether you apply online or by phone, we will ask you more questions later. Depending on your legal problem, we may ask about your household size, income, and what you own.

We will also ask for the name of the other side in your legal problem. That could be a spouse in a divorce, a landlord, or a debt collector — anyone you have a dispute with.

Have this information ready

• Income for everyone in your household, not just you — your hourly pay and hours per week, or your yearly pay before taxes
• How much you pay for rent or your mortgage
• Regular debt payments, such as taxes you are paying off, and any child support paid by someone in your household
• Medical debt
• Taxes you owe now or from past years
• What you pay for child care

If free or low-cost legal help isn’t available for your situation, we will do our best to tell you about other options.