Legal Aid Services are nonprofit corporations that provide free legal assistance to low income clients with non-criminal problems. The kinds of cases each legal aid office handles varies somewhat. Clients and Legal Aid staff in each community where there is a Legal Aid office have worked together to determine what would be the most important legal assistance for low-income people in their area. Legal Aid may provide representation in the following types of cases:
Public Benefits—This includes Welfare, food stamps, medical assistance, supplemental security income, Social Security, and unemployment compensation. If you have been denied benefits, or feel you are not getting the benefits you deserve or have been asked to repay benefits, a Legal Aid office may be able to help you.
Housing Problems—This includes evictions, lockouts, confiscation of personal property, foreclosures, discrimination (racial and against families with children), disputes with landlords over repairs, rent, contracts, deposits or difficulties with public housing.
Consumer Cases—This includes debt problems, contracts, warranties, repossessions, wage garnishments, discrimination, and counseling on small claims court and bankruptcy procedures.
Family Law Issues—This includes divorce, adoption, custody, support, visitation, guardianship, restraining orders, defense in paternity suits, and modification of decrees. Most Legal Aid offices limit dissolution (divorce) representation to certain types of situations or offer services primarily through self-help classes. Some offices do not take any dissolution cases unless they are emergencies.
Senior Law Problems—This includes Medicaid, Medicare, guardianship defense, and issues involving nursing homes or other types of care facilities.
Juvenile Legal Problems—This includes expulsion and suspension from school and other disputes involving schools. In addition, some offices may represent juveniles in criminal proceedings; however, this is by court appointment only.
Immigration—Some programs handle a limited number of cases in the area of immigration law.
A Legal Aid office may not be able to accept a case, even if it is the kind that the office generally handles. There are simply not enough Legal Aid attorneys available to provide good quality assistance to all eligible people. However, in many communities, private attorneys volunteer their time to represent low-income clients at no cost and accept cases that the Legal Aid office is unable to handle.
Legal Aid is not allowed to take criminal cases. The court will appoint an attorney to handle a criminal case when the client cannot afford legal help.
Generally, Legal Aid cannot accept what are known as "fee generating" cases. A fee generating case is one in which the attorney is typically paid a fee out of the money awarded to the winning party when the case is settled or completed in court. When you call Legal Aid about your problem, they will tell you whether it is a fee generating case.
Most Legal Aid offices use paralegals to assist in their cases. Paralegals are not attorneys and cannot practice law. However, they may be able to represent clients in some administrative hearings. In addition, paralegals conduct interviews, research and investigate cases, and help in contacts with merchants, landlords or government officials. Paralegals are supervised by attorneys and help to provide quality legal services to more clients.
Legal Aid attorneys represent their clients just as private attorneys do. They work for the best possible resolution of the case for their client, and, of course, all dealings between a client and attorney are confidential.
If you want help with your legal problem and feel that you may qualify for Legal Aid, call the office nearest your home from the County-by-County List of Oregon Legal Aid Services to find out if you are eligible. Legal Aid offices are always busy, and there may be a delay before an appointment can be made.
PLEASE NOTE:
- Spanish-speaking staff are available at most offices.
- Reasonable accommodation provided for persons with disabilities; please request.
- Interpretative services for nearly all spoken languages and sign languages are available free of charge at all offices; may require making special arrangements.
- Collect calls are accepted and/or returned by most offices; please use toll-free numbers where possible.
Child Support Helpline:1-800-383-1222; Monday, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., and
Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to noon.
Public Benefits Hotline:1-800-520-5292; Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, 1:00 p.m.
to 4:00 p.m., and Wednesday and Friday, 9:00 a.m. to noon.
Collect calls are accepted or returned by all offices except where noted.
LASO = Legal Aid Services of Oregon
OLC = Oregon Law Center
Baker
Consultations every third Monday of the month at Community Connections, 1:00 p.m (PST); must call OLC Ontario office to be screened.
OLC Ontario Regional Office
225 SW 1st Avenue, # 6
Ontario, OR 97914
1-888-250-9877 or (541) 889-3121
Monday - Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Hours in Mountain Standard Time.) Closed to the public on Fridays.
Benton
Outreach once a month to persons 60 and older in Albany, Corvallis, Lebanon, and Sweet Home through senior centers and in-home visits; call the LASO Albany office for appointments.
LASO Albany Regional Office
433 Fourth Avenue, SW
Albany, OR 97321
(541) 926-8678 or 1-800-817-4605 (for long distance calls only)
Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Clackamas
LASO Oregon City Regional Office
421 High Street
Suite 110
Oregon City, OR 97045
(503) 655-2518 or 1-800-228-6958 (for long distance calls only) Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.Farmworker law issues only:
LASO Woodburn Farmworker Office
397 N. 1st Street
Woodburn, OR 97071
(503) 981-5291 and 1-800-662-6096 (nationwide)
Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Evening hours by appointment.
Clatsop
LASO Hillsboro Regional Office
230 N.E. Second Avenue, Suite A
Hillsboro, OR 97124
(503) 648-7163 or 1-888-245-4091
Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.Tenant Hotline: (503) 648-7723; Monday and Wednesday, 9:00 a.m. to noon. Evening phone hours for employment, consumer, and tax problems: (503) 640-4115; Monday, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00
Columbia
LASO Hillsboro Regional Office
230 N.E. Second Avenue, Suite A
Hillsboro, OR 97124
(503) 648-7163 or 1-888-245-4091
Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Tenant Hotline: (503) 648-7723; Monday and Wednesday, 9:00 a.m. to noon.
Evening phone hours for employment, consumer, and tax problems: (503) 640-4115; Monday, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.Columbia County Legal Aid
(a volunteer lawyer referral program)
270 South 1st Street (P.O. Box 1400)
St. Helens, OR 97051
(503) 397-1628 Tuesday - Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. includes a satellite office of LASO-Hillsboro and a pro bono project.
Coos
OLC Coos Bay Office
Compass Building, 455 S. 4th Street, Suite 5
Coos Bay, OR 97420
(541) 269-1226 and 1-800-303-3638 Monday - Thursday, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Crook
LASO Bend Regional Office
1029 NW 14th Street, Suite 100
Bend, OR 97701
(541) 385-6944 or 1-800-678-6944
Monday - Wednesday, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.Outreach to Prineville courthouse: first come, first served; 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of the month.
Curry
OLC Coos Bay Office
Compass Building, 455 S. 4th Street, Suite 5
Coos Bay, OR 97420
(541) 269-1226 and 1-800-303-3638
Monday - Thursday, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.Outreach to Brookings on the third Wednesday of the month, 1:00 p.m. at Community Action in Brookings; first come, first served.
Outreach at Port Orford and Gold Beach by prior appointment only; call the OLC Coos Bay Office.
Self-help divorce and custody classes on the third Wednesday of every third month; call the OLC Coos Bay Office.
Deschutes
LASO Bend Regional Office
1029 NW 14th Street, Suite 100
Bend, OR 97701
(541) 385-6944 or 1-800-678-6944
Monday - Wednesday, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Douglas
LASO Roseburg Regional Office
700 SE Kane Street (P.O. Box 219)
Roseburg, OR 97470
(541) 673-1181
Monday - Wednesday, 10:00 a.m. to noon; closed Thursdays and Fridays.
Custody classes on the second Tuesday of the month from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the
LASO-Roseburg office; must go through the LASO-Roseburg office to be screened and
accepted.
Divorce classes on the fourth Wednesday of the month from 6:15 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the
courthouse; must go through the LASO-Roseburg office to be screened and accepted.
Western Douglas County (Reedsport area) is also served by:
OLC Coos Bay Office
Compass Building, 455 S. 4th Street, Suite 5
Coos Bay, OR 97420
(541) 269-1226 and 1-800-303-3638
Monday - Thursday, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Gilliam
LASO Pendleton Regional Office
365 SE 3rd Street, (P.O. Box 1327)
Pendleton, OR 97801
(541) 276-6685 or 1-800-843-1115
Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
For persons over 60:LASO Oregon City Regional Office
421 High Street, Suite 110
Oregon City, OR 97045
(503) 655-2518 or 1-800-228-6958 (for long distance calls only) Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Grant
OLC Ontario Regional Office
225 SW 1st Avenue, # 6
Ontario, OR 97914
1-888-250-9877 or (541) 889-3121
Monday - Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Hours in Mountain Standard Time.) Closed to the public on Fridays.
Harney
OLC Ontario Regional Office
225 SW 1st Avenue, # 6
Ontario, OR 97914
1-888-250-9877 or (541) 889-3121
Monday - Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Hours in Mountain Standard Time.) Closed to the public on Fridays.
Hood River
LASO Oregon City Regional Office
421 High Street
Suite 110
Oregon City, OR 97045
(503) 655-2518 or 1-800-228-6958 (for long distance calls only) Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Farmworker law issues only:
LASO Pendleton Regional Office
365 SE 3rd Street (P.O. Box 1327)
Pendleton, OR 97801
(541) 276-6685 or 1-800-843-1115 Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Jackson
Center for Non-Profit Legal Services
225 W. Main Street (P.O. Box 1586)
Medford, OR 97501
(541) 779-7291
Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Senior Legal Services: (541) 779-7000; Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
www.cnpls.orgFarmworker law issues only:
LASO Woodburn Farmworker Office
397 N. 1st Street
Woodburn, OR 97071
(503) 981-5291 and 1-800-662-6096 (nationwide) Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Evening hours by appointment.
Jefferson
LASO Bend Regional Office
1029 NW 14th Street, Suite 100
Bend, OR 97701
(541) 385-6944 or 1-800-678-6944
Monday - Wednesday, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Outreach to Employment Division Office in Madras on third Wednesday of the month from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.; first come, first served. Outreach to Warm Springs Reservation on the first Monday of the month at the Family Resource Center from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.; first come, first served.
Josephine
OLC Grants Pass Office
424 NW 6th Street, Suite 102
(P.O. Box 429)
Grants Pass, OR 97528
(541) 476-1058
Applicants may call or visit Monday - Thursday, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Senior Law Hotline: (541) 471-3033; Josephine County residents 60+ years old, of any income, may call the Senior Law Hotline on Thursdays only from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Klamath
LASO Hotline for Klamath & Lake Counties: (541) 882-6982 or 1-800-480-9160.
Answered on Thursdays, and on most Tuesdays, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The hotline hours are subject to change; when clients and potential clients call the hotline, the message will tell them what the hours the hotline will be answered for answered for that week.
Lake
LASO Hotline for Klamath & Lake Counties: (541) 882-6982 or 1-800-480-9160.
Answered on Thursdays, and on most Tuesdays, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The hotline hours are subject to change; when clients and potential clients call the hotline, the message will tell them what the hours the hotline will be answered for answered for that week.
Lane
Lane County Legal Aid and Advocacy Center
376 East 11th Avenue
Eugene, OR 97401
(541) 485-1017 or 1-800-575-9283 (for long distance calls only)
Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Drop-ins can get legal advice and be considered for client-status,
Monday - Friday, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
http://www.lclac.org
Lincoln
(Serves Lincoln County, which includes the reservations of the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians of Oregon.)
LASO Lincoln County Office
304 SW Coast Highway (P.O. Box 1970)
Newport, OR 97365
(541) 265-5305 or 1-800-222-3884 (for long distance calls only) Monday - Wednesday, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.; you can leave messages at all other hours, including evenings and weekends.
Linn
LASO Albany Regional Office
433 Fourth Avenue, SW
Albany, OR 97321
(541) 926-8678 or 1-800-817-4605 (for long distance calls only) Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Outreach once a month to persons 60 and older in Albany, Corvallis, Lebanon, and Sweet Home through senior centers and in home visits; call the LASO Albany office for appointments.Farmworker law issues only:
LASO Woodburn Farmworker Office
397 N. 1st Street
Woodburn, OR 97071
(503) 981-5291 and 1-800-662-6096 (nationwide) Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Evening hours by appointment.
Malheur
OLC Ontario Regional Office
225 SW 1st Avenue, # 6
Ontario, OR 97914
1-888-250-9877 or (541) 889-3121 Monday - Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Hours in Mountain Standard Time.) Closed to the public on Fridays.
Marion
Marion-Polk Legal Aid, Main Office
(A regional office of LASO)
1655 State Street
Salem, OR 97301
(503) 581-5265 or 1-800-359-1845 Application screening Monday, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. only, and Tuesday, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., walk-in only. Emergencies any time.Farmworker law issues only:
LASO Woodburn Farmworker Office
397 N. 1st Street
Woodburn, OR 97071
(503) 981-5291 and 1-800-662-6096 (nationwide) Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Evening hours by appointment.
Morrow
Served by LASO Pendleton Regional Office (800) 843-1115. Monthly outreach to ARC in Hermiston.
Morrow
LASO Pendleton Regional Office
365 SE 3rd Street (P.O. Box 1327)
Pendleton, OR 97801
(541) 276-6685 or 1-800-843-1115 Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Multnomah
LASO Multnomah County Office
921 SW Washington Street, Suite 500
Portland, OR 97205
(503) 224-4086 or 1-888-610-8764 Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Polk
Marion-Polk Legal Aid, Main Office
(A regional office of LASO)
1655 State Street
Salem, OR 97301
(503) 581-5265 or 1-800-359-1845
Application screening Monday, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. only, and Tuesday, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., walk-in only. Emergencies any time.Marion-Polk Legal Aid, Independence
Office
(A regional office of LASO)
769 N. Main Street, Suite B
Independence, OR 97351
(503) 606-3284
Applications for new clients accepted Monday and Wednesday, 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., walk-in only.Farmworker law issues only:
LASO Woodburn Farmworker Office
397 N. 1st Street
Woodburn, OR 97071
(503) 981-5291 or 1-800-662-6096 (nationwide) Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Evening hours by appointment.
Sherman
LASO Oregon City Regional Office
421 High Street, Suite 110
Oregon City, OR 97045
(503) 655-2518 or 1-800-228-6958 (for long distance calls only) Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Tillamook
LASO Hillsboro Regional Office
230 N.E. Second Avenue, Suite A
Hillsboro, OR 97124
(503) 648-7163 or 1-888-245-4091
Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Tenant Hotline: (503) 648-7723; Monday and Wednesday, 9:00 a.m. to noon.
Evening phone hours for employment, consumer, and tax problems: (503) 640-4115; Monday, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Umatilla
LASO Pendleton Regional Office
365 SE 3rd Street (P.O. Box 1327)
Pendleton, OR 97801
(541) 276-6685 or 1-800-843-1115 Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Outreach to ARC in Hermiston on the second Wednesday of every month. Must call the LASO Pendleton office in advance for an appointment. Self-help divorce classes; call LASO-Pendleton for information.
Union
LASO Pendleton Regional Office
365 SE 3rd Street (P.O. Box 1327)
Pendleton, OR 97801
(541) 276-6685 or 1-800-843-1115
Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Monthly outreach to La Grande and Elgin. Must call the LASO-Pendleton office in advance for an appointment.
Wallowa
LASO Pendleton Regional Office
365 SE 3rd Street (P.O. Box 1327)
Pendleton, OR 97801
(541) 276-6685 or 1-800-843-1115
Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Outreach at the senior center in Enterprise on the third Tuesday of every month. Must call the LASO-Pendleton office in advance for an appointment.
Wasco
LASO Oregon City Regional Office
421 High Street, Suite 110
Oregon City, OR 97045
(503) 655-2518 or 1-800-228-6958 (for long distance calls only) Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.Farmworker law issues only:
LASO Pendleton Regional Office
365 SE 3rd Street (P.O. Box 1327)
Pendleton, OR 97801
(541) 276-6685 or 1-800-843-1115 Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Washington
LASO Hillsboro Regional Office
230 N.E. Second Avenue, Suite A
Hillsboro, OR 97124
(503) 648-7163 or 1-888-245-4091
Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Tenant Hotline: (503) 648-7723; Monday and Wednesday, 9:00 a.m. to noon.
Evening phone hours for employment, consumer, and tax problems: (503) 640-4115; Monday, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Wheeler
LASO Pendleton Regional Office
365 SE 3rd Street (P.O. Box 1327)
Pendleton, OR 97801
(541) 276-6685 or 1-800-843-1115 Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
For persons over 60:LASO Oregon City Regional Office
421 High Street, Suite 110
Oregon City, OR 97045
(503) 655-2518 or 1-800-228-6958 (for long distance calls only) Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Yamhill
LASO McMinnville Office
(A satellite office of LASO-Hillsboro)
720 East 3rd Street (P.O. Box 141)
McMinnville, OR 97128
Call the McMinnville satellite office directly
at (503) 472-9561. Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, 9:30 a.m. - noon and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (On the 2nd and 4th Monday of the month, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. only.)LASO Hillsboro Regional Office
230 N.E. Second Avenue, Suite A
Hillsboro, OR 97124
Or, call the Hillsboro office at (503) 648-7163 or 1-888-245-4091 Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Tenant Hotline: (503) 648-7723; Monday and Wednesday, 9:00 a.m. to noon.
Evening phone hours for employment, consumer, and tax problems: (503) 640-4115; Monday, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Farmworker law issues only:
LASO Woodburn Farmworker Office
397 N. 1st Street
Woodburn, OR 97071
(503) 981-5291 and 1-800-662-6096 (nationwide) Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Evening hours by appointment.