Legal Aid Society Warns of Deep Community Impact If Federal Legal Aid Funding is Reduced
Legal Aid Services Return $7 for Every $1 Invested—Thousands Rely on Local Support Each Year
Real Kentuckians. Real Justice.
Legal Aid Society, a nonprofit civil legal services provider serving 15 Kentucky counties, is urging the public and policymakers to recognize the essential role of federal funding in preserving equal access to justice. For over 100 years, Legal Aid Society has provided free legal assistance to individuals and families who cannot afford an attorney. A significant portion ( nearly 30%) of its current funding comes from the Legal Services Corporation (LSC), a federal grantmaking agency.
Legal Aid Society serves Jefferson County and surrounding areas, including Breckinridge, Bullitt, Grayson, Hardin, Henry, Larue, Marion, Meade, Nelson, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer, Trimble, and Washington counties. Last year alone, Legal Aid Society attorneys assisted more than 5,800 clients with civil legal matters that threaten their safety, housing, income, or health.
“Civil legal issues may not make headlines, yet they profoundly shape lives,” said John Young, Executive Director of Legal Aid Society. “We help people resolve legal problems that affect their everyday survival - issues like wrongful evictions, protection from abuse, denial of health coverage, or fraudulent debt collection.”
An Investment That Pays Dividends
According to national research, civil legal aid returns an average of $7 for every $1 invested. That return comes from reduced strain on the courts and emergency services, prevention of homelessness and healthcare crises, and improved economic stability for families.
Funding from the Legal Services Corporation is uniquely valuable because it provides flexible, responsive support, allowing Legal Aid Society to adapt to emerging community needs - such as helping families recover from natural disasters, assisting veterans with benefits appeals, or providing legal guidance during economic downturns.
Recent Legal Aid Society Initiatives Include:
Veterans Advocacy: Supporting veterans in accessing benefits, improving discharge status, or preventing homelessness.
Homelessness Prevention: Helping homeless clients secure IDs, resolve benefit issues, and remove legal barriers to housing.
Health Justice Programs: Addressing unsafe housing, food insecurity, and denial of Medicaid/SNAP benefits for children and families.
Expungement Services: Clearing eligible criminal records so clients can seek better employment and housing.
Domestic Violence Advocacy: Securing protective orders and custody arrangements that help survivors find long-term safety.
Community at Risk Without Continued Federal Support
If LSC funding is reduced or eliminated, Legal Aid Society would be forced to reduce staff and serve fewer clients, just as community needs are rising. The organization currently employs 27 attorneys, 15 paralegals, one social worker, and nine administrative staff—dedicated professionals who deliver life-changing services daily.
“This is a smart investment,” Young emphasized. “It’s not just about the numbers - it’s about building a stronger, more stable community. When people have access to justice, everyone benefits.”