FAQ Legal Aid of Nebraska

1. How do I know if I’m eligible for Legal Aid?
2. What kinds of cases does Legal Aid handle?
3. I’m being charged with a misdemeanor. Can Legal Aid help me?
4. Legal Aid is just another government bureaucracy, right?
5. How do I contact Legal Aid of Nebraska?

• How do I know if I’m eligible for Legal Aid?
  * In general, you are financially eligible for Legal Aid if your income level is 125% of the poverty level or less and have limited assets. Click here to see the income guidelines.

•  What kinds of cases does Legal Aid handle?
  * Legal Aid represents people with their civil legal cases. Typically, Legal Aid helps people with family law, landlord/tenant, public benefits, and bankruptcies.  We also will handle other types of cases, depending on the priorities set by our local office.
  * Legal Aid typically does not represent people with criminal matters. Legal Aid helps people with civil legal matters. Legal Aid only handles criminal cases if they have been filed in the following Tribal courts: Omaha, Winnebago, or Santee Sioux.
  * Legal Aid represents victims of domestic violence.
  * Legal Aid typically won’t handle cases that would be “fee generating.” This means that a case where there is a likelihood of attorneys fees being awarded or available will be declined. A good example is a personal injury lawsuit.
  * Legal Aid cannot handle class actions.
  * Legal Aid can represent undocumented people if they are victims of domestic violence as defined by federal law.

• I’m being charged with a misdemeanor. Can Legal Aid help me?
  * Legal Aid typically does not represent people with criminal matters. Legal Aid helps people with civil legal matters. Legal Aid only handles criminal cases if they have been filed in the following Tribal courts: Omaha, Winnebago, or Santee Sioux.
  * Contact your local public defender’s office if you need help with a criminal matter.

• Legal Aid is just another government bureaucracy, right?
  * No. Legal Aid is a private, non-profit law firm. We do receive funding from the government, as well as from private donors, but we are not the government!

• How do I contact Legal Aid of Nebraska?
  * If you are a new caller, you can reach our AccessLine® toll-free at 1-877-250-2016. Click here to find the phone numbers for our Native American line, our Farm Hotline, and our Elder AccessLine™®.
  Existing clients can call their individual office. Click here to find the office near you.
  If you would like to contact our administrative offices, you can call (402) 348-1069.