There are law firms that can help low income individuals with civil legal issues in Mississippi. Most of these organizations are funded by the government in order to ensure that everyone has access to some form of representation, regardless of age, race, or religion.
Many legal programs are available for free to low income families and the indigent. Some firms may offer support at reduced rates. Both North Mississippi Rural Legal Services and the Mississippi Center for Legal Services offer a variety of services to qualified residents, including free representation, advice, and consultations. The goal is to help those in poverty become self-sufficient. The following is additional information on the types of cases they handle.
Foreclosure, credit, housing and predatory lending
Many families in Mississippi are struggling to pay off debts with high interest rates, facing foreclosure, or trying to deal with debt collectors. Other families who have low incomes are in danger of being forced out of their homes by their landlords. If you are struggling with credit issues, you can get legal help.
If you are considering bankruptcy as an option, you can get advice on when to file and information on the pros and cons. If you decide that bankruptcy is the best option for you, you can get help filing for bankruptcy in Mississippi. Lawyers work with credit counselors to help people with their financial needs. There are a number of ways to find free or low-cost bankruptcy assistance from attorneys. Some attorney referral services offer free consultations, and some bankruptcy attorneys offer free initial consultations. You can also check with your local legal aid office or bar association.
If the power company is trying to disconnect your service and you feel it is being done so illegally, get help contesting the disconnection.
The foreclosure process in Mississippi involves the legal process by which a lender takes back possession of a borrower’s property. A lawyer from a Legal Service organization may be able to help you negotiate with your bank or lender.
If you are being evicted from your home or apartment in Mississippi, you have certain rights. You may also want to get representation in housing court. This resource provides tips on how to stay in your home or apartment and understand your rights and responsibilities as a tenant. Other organizations can help you with rental or security deposit problems.
There are other services that can help individuals with different types of claims such as general consumer claims, student loans, and employment related matters. There are organizations that can help with financial needs.
Legal advice for Mississippi and government assistance programs
It can be difficult to work with the government, both at the federal and state level. There are so many laws, rules, and regulations that it is hard for people to get the help and financial aid they need from government programs. Applying for something can be difficult, and sometimes people are denied even though it wasn’t their fault. The government can help you with things you need to do.
If you need help applying for food stamps, there are lawyers who can help guide you through the process and handle the application at the administrative level. Thousands of families in Mississippi who live below the poverty line could be eligible for food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), but many are unfairly denied.
In order to receive unemployment benefits in Mississippi, you must first file for unemployment.
There are other organizations that can help Veterans with their benefits, Social Security, Section 8 applications, government health care programs and SSI benefits. Attorneys can help you apply for government benefits like Social Security and Medicare.
Household, family, and other civil legal issues
The lawyers from the two Mississippi agencies that offer free legal aid also assist individuals with a wide range of other issues. There are many different legal issues that can arise in a civil case. These can include issues relating to elders, such as conservatorship and guardianship, as well as divorces, paternity, and neglect or abuse. Other topics that could be covered include: Give me a call and I’ll tell you all the details about our program.
Contact for free legal aid in Mississippi
You can reach North Mississippi Rural Legal Services at (662) 494-6122 or 1-800-898-8731. They provide free legal help to residents of the following Mississippi Counties. This non-profit organization provides support to the following counties in Mississippi: Bolivar, Coahoma, Quitman, Tallahatchie, Tunica, Humphries, Issaquena, Leflore, Sharkey, Sunflower, Washington, Benton, Calhoun, DeSoto, Grenada, Lafayette, Marshall, Panola, Tate, Yalobusha, Alcorn, Chickasaw, Itawamba, Lee, Monroe, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Tippah, Tishomingo, Union, Attala, Carroll, Clay, Choctaw, Lowndes, Montgomery, Oktibbeha, Webster and Winston.
The Mississippi Center for Legal Services provides legal assistance to the rest of the state. The customer service line for the company can be reached at 1-800-498-1804.