Advocates Call for More State Funding Towards Civil Legal Cases

"BOSTON (WWLP) – Legal assistance organizations are calling on the state to invest more in legal services for low-income people.

Advocates are asking for a $5 million increase in the budget for state-funded Civil Legal Aid.

They say the money is a primary source of funding for helping people dealing with immigration, housing, and domestic violence disputes.

Civil legal aid is free legal assistance for low and middle income individuals who have non-criminal cases on issues like housing, healthcare and employment.

The Equal Justice Coalition chair told 22News more than two-thirds of eligible people are being turned away because of the lack of adequate funding.

Advocates are calling for increased investments to reach more people..."

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