How Do I Apply?
Who is Eligible for Our Services?
- You must be living in one of the five Bay Area Legal Services counties: Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Manatee, or Sarasota or be referred by another legal services program.
*If you are a Senior that does not live in one of our five county service areas Click Here for information regarding our Senior Statewide Helpline.
- Have a civil legal issue of the type handled by Bay Area Legal Services and no conflict with a current or prior client represented by Bay Area Legal Services. This means your case would not be accepted if it would create a conflict of interests for Bay Area Legal Services. For Example: Bay Area Legal Services would not advise both a husband and wife in a divorce situation.
- Have an income level at or below 125 percent of the poverty level as established by the federal government. Be prepared to provide monthly income statements (check stubs, proof of income) and listing of assets such as bank account balances.
There are significant exceptions to these income guide lines. Specific grants have different eligibility guidelines which may apply for persons 60 or older, victims of spouse abuse, and other special programs. You will be screened for eligibility when you call for an appointment.
Please understand many residents qualify and request legal assistance, however, we cannot accept every case due to limited resources.
PLEASE DO NOT APPLY OR SEND QUESTIONS BY E-MAIL.
Legal Aid Line- You can now call our centralized telephone intake program, and receive legal assistance quickly and more conveniently.
813-232-1343 or 1-800-625-2257
Monday -Friday 8:45 am - 4:30 pm
More than 59,000 calls were received in 2004. In 2005 that number increased to almost 65,000 calls.
People served through this program receive legal advice over the phone, and informational materials by mail when needed. They are also referred for necessary social services and extended legal representation, when appropriate.
Special thanks to the Children's Board of Hillsborough County for helping to make this project possible by providing a grant to upgrade our phone system!
Senior Statewide Helpline- The Florida Statewide Senior Legal Helpline (Senior Legal Line) is a free telephone advice and referral service for Florida residents aged 60 and older. Through this new program, funded with grants from the Federal Administration on Aging and the Florida Deptartment of Elder Affairs, many Seniors will be able to obtain answers to their legal questions without needing to leave their homes.
To apply for services
Florida Residents that do NOT reside in Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas or Sarasota county. Please call: 1-888-895-7873 Monday-Friday 9 am- 2 pm
