Get Help & Services We Provide
Maryland Legal Aid provides a full range of free civil legal services to financially eligible individuals from 12 office locations. Our legal work helps to protect peoples’ basic needs and human rights.
Get help now by calling 1-888-465-2468 or apply with online in-take.
Attend a FREE legal clinic for in-person help!
Get help at an office close to you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I qualify for assistance?
Maryland Legal Aid’s services are free for financially eligible individuals which is based on income and assets available to the household. Household income must be below 125% of the federal poverty income guidelines. Review the guidelines below to determine if you qualify or call 1-888-465-2468 to see if you qualify.
- About Maryland Legal Aid (PDF)
- About Maryland Legal Aid (Spanish) (PDF)
How do I apply for help?
You can apply online; call us at 1-888-465-2468 Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.- 2:30 p.m.; attend a free legal clinic; or visit a Maryland Legal Aid office.
Which types of cases do you not handle?
Maryland Legal Aid does not handle active criminal cases; medical malpractice; police misconduct; attorney misconduct; car accidents; small claims; credit counseling, or immigration.
Will Maryland Legal Aid ask me for money?
There have been recent scams with people posing as Maryland Legal Aid employees asking that clients pay fees. Maryland Legal Aid does NOT charge clients fees for its services. If you receive an email asking for payment, you should assume it is not legitimate and contact Maryland Legal Aid.
Does Maryland Legal Aid have a Weapons Policy?
Yes! Maryland Legal Aid endeavors to maintain a safe operating environment, at all times, for all employees and visitors. As such, Maryland Legal Aid prohibits all visitors from bringing weapons of any sort, into any of our offices/buildings.
What do we help with?
- Human Right to Housing
- Worker’s Rights
- Safe, Stable and Healthy Families
- Children, Youth and Young Adults
- Preserving Economic Stability
- Ensuring Economic Supports
- Health and Aging
Human Right to Housing
Housing
Everyone has the right to a safe and affordable place to live.
Eviction Prevention
If you are facing the threat of eviction or court proceedings for eviction, Maryland Legal Aid ‘s Tenant Right to Counsel Project may be available to provide you legal representation. We represent renters in a range of eviction scenarios, such as: Failure to Pay Rent, Breach of Lease, Tenant Holding Over, Wrongful Detainer, retaliatory evictions, utility shut-offs, and illegal lockouts.
Dangerous Housing Conditions
Maryland Legal Aid assists renters who are living in dangerous housing conditions, paid out of pocket for repairs, or were forced temporarily to move out of their home.
Subsidized Housing
Our Tenant Right to Counsel Project also provides legal representation for renters facing termination of federal housing vouchers or other subsidies. Renters in subsidized housing may also contact Maryland Legal Aid about income recertification disputes, reasonable accommodation requests, grievances, and legal support for tenant associations.
Public Housing
Maryland Legal Aid can assist renters in public housing with eviction defense, income recertification disputes, reasonable accommodation requests, grievances, and legal support for tenant councils.
Other Disputes with Landlords
When renters have disputes with the landlord about utilities, fees, lease non-renewals, rent increases, lease violations, and other matters, Maryland Legal Aid attorneys can provide advice and other assistance, including help with cease-and-desist letters, completing court forms, and preparing for self-representation in court.
Resources for Renters
- Rent Court for Landlords (Video)
- Rent Court for Tenants (Video)
- Rent Escrow (Video)
- Rent Escrow and Repair of Dangerous Conditions (PDF)
- Evictions (PDF)
- HUD-Subsidized Housing PDF
Learn more about the Tenant Right to Counsel Project (Video)
Homeownership/Real Property
We can assist clients with change of deed, tax sales, and other legal issues related to owning a home.
Mortgage ForeclosuresThe action of taking possession of a mortgaged property when the mortgagor fails to keep up their mortgage payments. More
If you are behind on paying your mortgage, Maryland Legal Aid’s may be able to help. Call 1-888-465-2468 for more information.
Additional issues that we help with include:
- Shelter Denial
- Housing Discrimination
- Housing Preservation
- Mobile Homes
- Predatory Mortgages
Worker’s Rights
Unpaid Wages and Wage Claims
If your employer did not pay you on time and fully for work that you did, Maryland Legal Aid may be able to help. We may be able to assist with wage claims, minimum wage problems, overtime pay, and improper deductions from your paycheck.
Worker Misclassification
If your employer says you are an “independent contractor” (or “1099” worker), but treats you like an employee, Maryland Legal Aid may be able to help. If your boss improperly calls you a contractor, you may lose pay, including overtime or minimum wages, benefits, and other workplace rights.
Workplace Discrimination and Accommodations
If you are being treated unfairly at work because of a disability or need a reasonable accommodation, Maryland Legal Aid may be able to provide advice or referrals. Other agencies may also be able to help with workplace discrimination complaints.
Other Services
Additional issues we may be able to help with include:
- Improper wage garnishment
- Minimum wage problems
- Overtime pay
- Paycheck deductions
- Referrals for workplace discrimination or wrongful termination concerns
- Criminal records expungementRemoving convictions from criminal records. More (NOTE: MLA’s Baltimore City Office does not offer expungementRemoving convictions from criminal records. More services on-site. Staff only provide these services at expungementRemoving convictions from criminal records. More clinics in thein community. To find a clinic near you visit our Free Legal Clinics – Maryland Legal Aid page.)
Safe, Stable and Healthy Families
Family Law
Custody and Child Support
We advise and represent parents seeking to obtain physical and legal custody of their children, or to establish regular access schedule.
Child Support
We can guide custodial and non-custodial parents through the child support legal system by giving comprehensive advice and providing representation in limited matters.
Divorce
We are able to provide parents and survivors of domestic violence with advice and representation in a divorce matters, including cases involving requests for alimony and property division.
Domestic Abuse
We offer holistic civil legal assistance to victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and elder abuse through our partnerships with TurnAround, Inc., CHANA, Springboard, Tahirih Justice Center, MEDOVI and the Prince George’s County Family Justice Center.
Support
We can link clients to a variety of support services that help with issues such as housing, unemployment, temporary cash assistance and/or food stamps, and mental and medical health resources.
More Information
Additional issues include:
- Name Change
- Parentage Matters
Children, Youth and Young Adults
Children in Need of Assistance and Related Guardianship and Adoption
We represent children who have been abused and neglected for all aspects of their cases including appeals. We also provide civil legal services to former foster children in all of our practice areas.
Custody/Visitation
There are different types of child custody, which includes visitation, and we can provide brief advice and/or representation for parents seeking custody of their children.
Divorce/Separation
We provide brief advice and representation for clients seeking a divorce, separation, or annulment.
Domestic AbuseViolent or aggressive behavior within the home, typically involving the violent abuse of a spouse or partner. More
We offer holistic civil legal assistance to victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and elder abuse through our partnerships with TurnAround, Inc., CHANA, Springboard, Tahirih Justice Center, MEDOVI and the Prince George’s County Family Justice Center.
Support
We can link clients to a variety of support services that help with issues such as housing, unemployment, temporary cash assistance and/or food stamps, and mental and medical health resources.
More Information
Additional issues include:
- Adult Guardian/Conservatorship
- Education
- Name Change
- Other Family
- Parentage Matters
Preserving Economic Stability
Building Economic Power:
Maryland Legal Aid is committed to preventing economic exploitation and removing barriers on the path to economic stability.
Protecting Assets:
If you are facing challenges such as foreclosure, bankruptcyA legal procedure for dealing with debt problems of individuals and businesses. More, utility disruptions, or tax sales, we are here to help. Our services include:
- Foreclosure Prevention:
Support with tax sales, attempts to foreclose the right of redemption, mortgage defaults, and disputes involving HOA and community associations. - BankruptcyA legal procedure for dealing with debt problems of individuals and businesses. More Support:
Legal assistance in protecting homes, personal property, wages, and preserving essential utilities.
Preventing Economic Exploitation:
We assist clients with legal questions and concerns related to specific financial situations. Our investigations cover:
- Harmful practices by Assisted Living Facility operators
- Scams that threaten housing security (e.g., “rent-to-own” schemes and traps leading to loss of home or equity)
- Predatory lending practices
- Unfair and deceptive sales practices
Collections & Debt:
Improper debt collectionTo collect a debt or obtain payment; To recover goods sold on credit or in installments when the buyer fails to pay for them. More practices violate consumerA state or federal law designed to protect consumers against improperly described, damaged, faulty, and dangerous goods and services as well as from unfair trade and credit practices. Including Legal Issues like: bankruptcy, collections, garnishment and repossession. More protection laws and may involve wrongful repossession, wage garnishment, or creditor harassment. We provide support with:
- Addressing improper debt collectionTo collect a debt or obtain payment; To recover goods sold on credit or in installments when the buyer fails to pay for them. More activities
- Assisting with student loan hardship discharges
- Challenging improper charges from hospitals, medical facilities, assisted living facilities, or nursing homes related to medical debt
Maryland Legal Aid is here to preserve economic stability and advocate with and for Marylanders experiencing hardship to achieve financial equity.
Contracts/Warranties
Get help from an attorney to understand things included in contracts or warranties, or if you are being sued for breach of contract.
We can help clients who have legal questions and concerns related to their specific financial situation.
Bankruptcy & Debt Collection Videos and Brochures
- Bankruptcy PDF
- BankruptcyA legal procedure for dealing with debt problems of individuals and businesses. More: Beyond the Basics, Your Client’s Case is Dismissed and You Want to Refile (Watch the video here)
- BankruptcyA legal procedure for dealing with debt problems of individuals and businesses. More: Beyond the Basics, Motions to Avoid Lien (Watch the video here)
- BankruptcyA legal procedure for dealing with debt problems of individuals and businesses. More: Beyond the Basics, Motions for Relief from Stay and Motions to Modify Plan (Watch the video here)
- Debt Collection: Know Your Rights (PDF)
- Debt Collection: Protect Yourself from Harassment (PDF)
- Debt Collection: What Happens If I Get Sued (PDF)
- Security Deposit (PDF)
Employment
Wage Claims and other FLSA Issues
Did you work and not get paid? You may have a wage claim.
We help with unpaid wages, family/medical leave, farmworkers issues and fair pay.
More Information
- Farmworkers Brochures English (PDF)
- Farmworkers Brochure Spanish (PDF)
- Farmworkers Brochure Creole (PDF)
- Fair Pay Booklet English (PDF)
- Fair Pay Booklet Spanish (PDF)
Ensuring Economic Supports
Income
Social Security
We can help clients obtain SSIFederal benefits available for seniors, survivors, people who are disabled, unemployed, or injured on the job. More, SSDISocial Security Disability (SSD, or SSDI) - Federal benefits available for people who are disabled. More, Disability, and TCA, TDAP when there is a legal problem.
Whether it is a change of address, a replacement social securityAny government system that provides financial assistance to people with low or no income. More card, or to apply for disability (as well as check the status of your claim), you can do it here.
SSI / SSDI
If you are disabled and unable to work, we may be able to help you obtain SSIFederal benefits available for seniors, survivors, people who are disabled, unemployed, or injured on the job. More/SSDI or benefits based upon your parents’ or spouse’s work history.
SSI
You might quality for Social SecurityAny government system that provides financial assistance to people with low or no income. More Insurance (SSIFederal benefits available for seniors, survivors, people who are disabled, unemployed, or injured on the job. More) if you are a senior, disabled or unemployed. We can assist clients with filling out forms and preparing for administrative hearings related to obtaining SSIFederal benefits available for seniors, survivors, people who are disabled, unemployed, or injured on the job. More benefits.
Unemployment Compensation
We can help clients with unemployment appeals.
Additional issues include:
- SNAP (Food Stamps)
- Other Income
- Veterans Benefits
Additional issues include:
- Agricultural Worker Issues
- Employee Rights
- Job Discrimination
- Other Employment
Health and Aging
Long Term Health Care, Access to Health Care
We assist clients with Medical Assistance, Medicare, Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities. We help with their evictions and dangerous living conditions.
More Information
- Involuntary Discharges and Transfers from Nursing Homes (PDF)
- Protecting Your Rights in a Nursing Home (PDF)
- Your Rights in an Assisted Living Facility (PDF)
- Signing a Nursing Home Admission Contract for Someone Else (PDF)
- Long-Term Care Medical Assistance: Paying the Nursing Home (PDF)
- Home and Community-Based Services (PDF)
Miscellaneous
Wills and Estates
We can provide brief advice for clients who need help drafting wills and/or advanced directives.
Additional issues include:
- Advance Directives/Powers of Attorney
- Fraud & Elder Abuse
- Legal Assistance to Non-Profit Organization or Group
- Licenses
- Municipal Legal Needs
State & Regional Services
Migrant Farmworker Help
Maryland Legal Aid’s Migrant Farmworker Program represents migrant and seasonal workers in the agricultural fields, packing houses, nurseries and food processing plants in Maryland and Delaware on employment-related matters. Typical issues include unpaid wages, substandard housing, discrimination, pesticide exposure, and inadequate access to bathrooms and drinking water. The Program conducts outreach to approximately 275 labor camps in Maryland and Delaware.
Child in Need of Assistance (CINA)
Maryland Legal Aid has contracts with the State of Maryland to represent children in abuse and neglect cases in Circuit Courts in many counties. These cases, also known as CINA (Child In Need of Assistance) cases, begin when the State of Maryland, usually through local county Departments of Social Services, removes an alleged abused or neglected child from his/her home and places that child in shelter or foster care for protection.
Maryland Legal Aid does not take calls from Maryland residents to handle these cases; attorneys on staff are assigned to cases by local Circuit Courts.
Visit the People’s Law Library for a detailed explanation of CINA case proceedings.
More Information
For more details about who is eligible for services, see Income Guidelines. For those who qualify, there is NO FEE for Maryland Legal Aid’s services.
Grievance Process
You have the right to appeal a decision that you are not financially eligible for Maryland Legal Aid’s services or that we cannot handle your specific issue. The first step is to contact the chief attorney of the office making this determination. If you are not satisfied with the chief attorney’s decision, you may submit a complaint to Maryland Legal Aid’s Executive Unit.
If the Executive Unit is unable to resolve the matter to your satisfaction, you may submit a complaint to the Grievance Committee of Maryland Legal Aid’s Board of Directors.
To contact the Executive Unit or the Board of Directors, write to:
Maryland Legal Aid
500 East Lexington Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202