603 Legal Aid receives nearly $700,000 for projects serving veterans and people with consumer debt
A 2021 civil legal needs assessment by the NH Access to Justice Commission identified consumer issues and debt collection as the most frequent civil legal need of people in New Hampshire living with low income.
603 Legal Aid received nearly $700,000 in funding this summer to launch two new projects helping New Hampshire residents with low income who are facing civil legal issues.
The new Debt FREE Project – Financial Resiliency and Economic Empowerment – will serve people facing challenges related to consumer law issues such as debt collection, bankruptcy, and mortgage foreclosure under the auspices of a broad Consumer Unit. The Unit will also run the Low-Income Taxpayer Project (LITP), a long-standing 603 Legal Aid program that connects people with low incomes who face IRS issues with free legal help via qualified volunteers. Debt FREE will also garner support from 603 Legal Aid’s outreach coordinator and a paralegal who will help manage the LITP Clinic, including the creation of Know Your Rights programming for the community. .
“Consumer issues are a major driver of stress and trauma for people living with low income,” said 603 Legal Aid Executive Director Ariel Clemmer. “A 2021 civil legal needs assessment by the NH Access to Justice Commission identified consumer issues and debt collection as the most frequent civil legal need of people in New Hampshire living with low income. I’m proud of the 603 Legal Aid team for being responsive to the needs of our community and clients.
“Debt collection disproportionately affects people with disabilities, and people without the means and resources to contest inaccurate debt claims in court. We hope to provide them with the representation, education, and resources needed to resolve debt and consumer issues and move forward with their lives.”
This work is supported by a $100,000 cy pres award from the Rose Foundation, as well as a four-year award of nearly $300,000 from the National Legal Aid and Defenders Association.
Additionally, 603 Legal Aid will soon launch a Veterans Homelessness Prevention project, funded by a $300,000 grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs Legal Services for Homeless Veterans program.
“The first in the state, this project is an exciting step forward in getting our veterans the targeted legal help they need,” says Clemmer.
In addition to a dedicated staff attorney position, the Veterans Homelessness Prevention project will include a new outreach and intake specialist who will connect with potential clients out in the community.
ABOUT 603 LEGAL AID:
603 Legal Aid is the frontline civil legal aid provider in New Hampshire offering statewide intake, as well as legal representation, advocacy, and education. In partnership with volunteer attorneys and community organizations, 603 Legal Aid works to make justice a reality for and with people who experience economic hardship that threatens their basic human needs. Based in Concord and serving citizens across the entire state, 603 Legal Aid provides free civil legal advice and information by telephone, by representing someone in court, or through a referral to a volunteer attorney or another program for legal help. Learn more and apply for legal aid at 603LegalAid.org.