Older adults can get no-cost help with abuse, fraud, benefits, and housing disputes. Here is exactly who qualifies and how to connect.
Who qualifies for free legal aid for seniors?
Legal Services Corporation-funded programs generally serve households earning at or below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines. Separately, Older Americans Act legal hotlines serve adults age 60 and older, often regardless of income, prioritizing those with the greatest social or economic need. Elder abuse, domestic violence, and exploitation cases sometimes bypass income limits entirely. Because rules differ by state and program, apply even when you are unsure. Veterans, people with disabilities, and abuse survivors frequently receive priority service, and a program that cannot help will usually refer you elsewhere.
What problems can free legal aid solve?
Free senior legal aid covers civil matters: elder abuse and financial exploitation, denied Medicare or Medicaid benefits, Social Security and disability appeals, eviction and foreclosure defense, consumer fraud and debt, guardianship disputes, powers of attorney, wills, and advance directives. It does not cover criminal defense or most fee-generating cases like personal injury. For urgent abuse or exploitation, programs often move quickly to stop the harm, then pursue remedies such as recovering stolen funds or voiding an exploitative power of attorney.
How do I find free legal help near me?
Search lawhelp.org by state for legal aid offices and free forms, or use the directory at lsc.gov/find-legal-aid. To reach senior legal hotlines and protective services, call the federal Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 (Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. ET). If you are unsure which resource fits your situation, call 1-800-MEDIGAP (1-800-633-4427) and we will help point you in the right direction. For immediate danger, call 911 first.