In the Press: Making Legal Help Accessible for All
Nebraska organizations are working to make legal services accessible to low-income residents facing civil issues like immigration and tenant rights. Key players, including the Nebraska State Bar Association's Volunteer Lawyers Project, Legal Aid of Nebraska, and the Center for Legal Immigration Assistance (CLIA), offer affordable or free legal aid.
These efforts address a crucial need, as a recent study found that 74% of low-income households encounter at least one civil legal issue annually, often impacting their health and finances. CLIA, for instance, provides immigration services at reduced costs, helping over 1,000 clients last year, with a significant increase in pro bono cases. However, demand exceeds supply, particularly in Nebraska's rural areas, where legal resources are scarce.
"A lot of people in western Nebraska don't have anywhere to go. Sometimes they have to drive all the way to Lincoln to get help from a nonprofit agency, but that's if we're available for services because we are so backed up, we have a waitlist." — Mary Choate, CLIA Executive Director
