A Call for Equal Justice
Forty state and territorial attorneys general, representing a rare bipartisan coalition, have united in a plea to Congressional leaders. Their request is straightforward yet urgent: fully fund the Legal Services Corporation (LSC), the nation’s largest source of civil legal aid for low-income Americans. The letters, sent on April 23, 2025, underscore a persistent challenge in the U.S. justice system: millions lack access to legal help for critical issues like housing, safety, and veterans’ benefits due to financial barriers.
The LSC, established by Congress in 1974, channels federal funds to 130 nonprofit legal aid programs across every state and territory. These programs operate from roughly 900 offices, serving urban and rural communities alike. From helping domestic violence survivors secure restraining orders to assisting seniors avoid financial scams, LSC-funded organizations address civil legal needs that can mean the difference between stability and crisis for low-income families.
Yet, the demand for these services far outstrips available resources. In 2022, 74% of low-income households faced at least one civil legal problem, but 92% of those issues received inadequate or no legal assistance. The attorneys general argue that increased funding is essential to narrow this justice gap, ensuring that access to justice isn’t reserved for those who can afford it.
The coalition’s effort reflects a broader recognition that legal aid is not just about courtrooms. It’s about giving people a fighting chance to navigate systems that can otherwise overwhelm them, whether they’re rebuilding after a disaster or securing benefits they’ve earned.
The Stakes of Underfunding
The LSC’s current budget, set at $560 million for fiscal year 2024, is a fraction of what’s needed. The organization estimates that $1.8 billion annually would be required to meet the legal needs of all eligible clients. With limited funds, LSC grantees turn away half of those seeking help. In 2021, they served 1.7 million clients and closed over 700,000 cases, but countless others were left without assistance.
The consequences of this shortfall are tangible. Without legal representation, families face evictions, lose access to benefits, or struggle to escape abusive situations. In rural areas, the problem is even more acute. A 2025 report highlighted that 94% of civil legal problems in low-income rural households go unaddressed, compounded by scarce attorneys, long travel distances, and unreliable internet access.
Funding debates are not new. The House has proposed a $71 million cut to LSC’s budget for 2025, while the Senate and White House advocate for a modest increase to $566 million. These competing proposals reflect broader tensions over federal spending, particularly for programs supporting low-income communities. Meanwhile, state and local funding sources, like court fees and interest on lawyer trust accounts, struggle to fill the gap.
Advocates point to LSC’s return on investment. Studies show every dollar spent on civil legal aid generates significant social and economic benefits, from preventing homelessness to stabilizing families. But without consistent funding, the system remains stretched thin, leaving vulnerable populations at risk.
Voices From the Ground
The human impact of LSC’s work is undeniable. Veterans, often navigating complex benefits systems, rely on legal aid to secure what they’re owed. Disaster victims turn to LSC-funded programs for help rebuilding lives upended by floods or fires. Domestic violence survivors, many with nowhere else to turn, find safety through legal protections facilitated by these organizations.
On the other side, some policymakers question the scope of LSC’s role. Debates have long swirled about whether federal funds should support certain types of cases, like those involving immigration or class-action lawsuits. Restrictions imposed in the 1990s still limit the kinds of advocacy LSC grantees can pursue, a point of contention for those who believe broader systemic change is needed to address poverty’s root causes.
State attorneys general, however, see LSC as a critical partner. Their coalition, spanning diverse regions from Alaska to the U.S. Virgin Islands, emphasizes that legal aid strengthens communities by addressing immediate needs. They argue that underfunding LSC undermines not just individual lives but the broader principle of equal justice under law.
Looking Ahead
The push for LSC funding comes at a pivotal moment. As federal budgets face scrutiny, social safety net programs like Medicaid and SNAP also confront proposed cuts, which could exacerbate the challenges low-income Americans face. The attorneys general’s letters serve as a reminder that access to justice is intertwined with economic stability. Without legal help, families can spiral deeper into poverty, unable to resolve disputes or secure essential services.
The bipartisan nature of this coalition offers hope for compromise. By framing legal aid as a shared priority, the attorneys general signal that justice transcends partisan divides. As Congress weighs its next steps, the outcome will shape whether millions of Americans can access the legal support they need to navigate an often unforgiving system.