Services Provided

 Troubled Families: NLSA represents victims of domestic violence who qualify for legal services under the Protection From Abuse (PFA) Act. NLSA also represents custodial parents and primary caretakers involved in custody disputes where their children are removed or are at risk of being removed from them by court action or self-help of another claiming a right to custody. In addition, NLSA provides advice through its clinics and telephone Helpline as well as reduced-fee referrals to private attorneys in divorce, support, and custody cases.

People Eligible for Public Benefits: NLSA provides representation at referree hearings for clients who face terminations or denials of unemployment compensation. NLSA also represents clients denied SSI at ALJ hearings and assists clients whose Social Security benefits are being terminated or reduced. NLSA provides various types of assistance to clients whose DPW benefits (cash, medical, special allowances, food stamps) are being terminated.

Low-income Tenants: NLSA helps clients who are wrongfully threatened with lock-out, who are facing eviction, or who are living in substandard conditions. NLSA also represents individuals and families who are improperly denied public or subsidized housing or who are being terminated from Section 8.

Income-eligible Consumers: Clients counseled or represented by NLSA include low-income consumers who risk the loss of their homes or other essential property through forced public sales, such as sheriff or tax sales and mortgage foreclosures. In this area, NLSA assists clients who have been injured by predatory lending schemes. NLSA also provides legal counsel to people harmed by the denial or termination of essential utilities. In emergency situations, NLSA can provide representation in bankruptcy.

Elderly poor: NLSA provides legal assistance and representation to older adults (60 and above) who may be victims or physical, emotional, or financial abuse. NLSA also assists in areas of special concern to the elderly such as living wills, powers of attorney, health care planning, and alternatives to guardianship. NLSA provides these services in part through special subcontracts with the Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging, the Beaver County Office on Aging, the Butler County Area Agency on Aging, and Lawrence County/Challenges: Options in Aging. In some counties, NLSA represents elderly adults who are subjects of guardianship and/or protective services proceedings.