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FAQ

Our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page provides quick answers to common questions about Idaho Legal Aid Services, including eligibility for legal assistance, services we offer, how to apply, and other information about our organization. If you can't find the answer you're looking for, please contact us directly using the information found below.

Frequently Asked Questions

Idaho Legal Aid Services is a private, non-profit law firm committed to provide quality civil legal services to Idaho's low income community. For more information, please visit the Idaho Legal Aid Services About Page.

Pro bono means that an attorney is representing an individual at no cost to the individual. Pro se means that an individual is representing themselves in a legal proceeding.

Civil legal services are provided by attorneys who represent clients only in civil cases, such as domestic relations cases, landlord and tenant issues, consumer law issues, etc. Pro se paperwork is also available through Court Assistance Offices to assist people representing themselves in civil matters. Criminal legal services are provided by attorneys who practice in the area of criminal law and represent people who have been charged with criminal activity.

Idaho Legal Aid Services may provide services to low-income residents with legal issues in the following areas of law. Not all areas of law are available for representation in each service area. Income and eligibility criteria must be determined before representation is undertaken by ILAS.

Domestic Violence: Domestic Violence Legal Advice Line, possible representation on divorce, child custody, child support, visitation, and protection orders.

Elder Law and Senior Legal Hotline: Guardianships

Housing: landlord and tenant issues, public housing, evictions, foreclosure, housing discrimination, and manufactured housing issues.

Migrant Native-American: Guardianships

Public Benefits: Medicaid, Food Stamps (SNAP), AABD, Social Security/SSI Disability

Idaho Legal Aid Services provides free legal services in civil cases only. The Public Defender's Office provides free defense counsel in criminal matters.

Generally, service is limited to individuals whose income is at or below 125% of the federal poverty level, or to groups whose members meet that income guideline. Eligibility requirements also include a consideration of assets, case type, and priorities. Eligibility may be extended beyond the standard limits when alternative grant funding is received that allows expansion of those guidelines. Not all who qualify on the basis of income will receive services due to these other considerations as well as availability of resources and staff to handle a case.

If you discover that you need a lawyer, you may contact one of the above organizations to find out if you qualify for their services. You will also find attorneys listed in the telephone book and on the Idaho State Bar website.

If you do not qualify for assistance from Idaho Legal Aid Services, or if we cannot represent you, you may be referred to another legal services program, such as the Idaho Volunteer Lawyer Program. 

You can also contact the Lawyer Referral Service or locate an attorney through the Idaho State Bar website.

A person who has not been accepted as a client due to financial ineligibility, or whose case has been rejected on the basis that ILAS is prohibited from handling, or whose case has been rejected on the basis that it is not a priority, or for whom assistance has been terminated, may lodge a verbal or written complaint with the local managing attorney and/or the Executive Director of ILAS. If you choose to make a written complaint, a form is available for your use here.

Whenever you are unsure about your legal standing on an issue. Especially any time you have been served with a summons, complaint or court order of any kind, you should consult an attorney immediately. If you have questions about your legal rights or status, only an attorney can provide legal advice. Consulting an attorney may be necessary to protect or enforce your rights.

At this time, we do not have the capacity to answer questions via this website.

In addition to the large amount of information on this website, you may also contact us directly. This website, as well as each service office, has brochures and other informational materials on a variety of legal issues.