Frequently Asked Questions

Our eligibility guidelines change from time. We have asset and income limits for eligibility for services.

•Legal services are for U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents and immigrants with only certain specific types of documentation.

•People who are 60+ may receive legal services without regard to income or assets, depending on the type of legal matter.

•Currently you may be eligible for legal services if your household income is 300% Federal Poverty Guidelines, or less. When you call to apply, our Access Team staff will ask about the number of household members, and household income, (either annually, weekly, or monthly) and the source of income. Our staff will be able to determine your eligibility based on income and number in your household.

•If you have a housing matter in Somerset County, you may qualify for services for a limited time if your household income for its size is up to 80% of Area Median Income. Our Access Team staff will be able to assist with this determination.

•People who are 60+ may receive legal services without regard to income or assets, depending on the type of legal matter.

•People who are affected by HIV/AIDS may receive legal services if household income is up to 500% Federal Poverty Guidelines, depending on the type of legal matter and their county of residence.

•If you do not have access to the income of a household member, such as in the situation of domestic abuse and a controlling partner, that income will not be counted for disqualification.

Our asset limits for a household depend on the total number of household members. The limit amounts increase depending on the household size.

Your primary residence and one vehicle are excluded from our asset limits.

For a household of one person, the maximum amount you can have is as follows:

$11,000 in readily convertible funds to cash.

$22,000 in not readily convertible funds to cash.

$22,000 in retirement funds.

We handle civil legal matters which make a difference in meeting a person’s basic essential needs.

Our staff work in teams based on the area of law; the teams regularly review the needs of the community and write a team work plan which sets the type of legal matters we may accept for advice, limited representation or extended representation.

When you apply for services, if your matter falls within the current work plan and you are eligible, you become a client.

The Legal Services Hotline, which also has financial eligibility criteria, offers legal advice. You may contact the Hotline or call 1-888-LSNJ-LAW (1-888-576-5529).

You may also obtain legal information from LSNJ.

Resources for self-representation

Additionally, you may contact the Lawyer Referral Service (LRS), where you may obtain a referral to a private attorney. The private attorney retained through the LRS is not a volunteer. See below.

COUNTY

Hunterdon

Somerset

Morris & Sussex

Warren

As a law firm, our staff is bound by the rules which govern attorneys, and we will protect your confidentiality and your attorney-client privilege. We will not be able to speak with a third party, friend, family member or counselor, about your matter, until you yourself personally and privately give us permission to speak to that person.

You may apply for legal services as a client, and if eligible for help in an area of our practice, you will be scheduled for a consultation appointment.

Alternatively you can look for legal information and other resources on our Referral Resources page.

You can find legal information from LSNJ Law

•When you call to apply for services, be sure to tell our intake specialist about any deadlines in your case. If you become a client we will try to schedule your consultation appointment with your lawyer with deadlines in mind, however, be sure to call as soon as you are served with court or agency notices. Do not delay.

•For referral resources for particular legal problems, see our services pages.

Sign up for our newsletter to get legal updates and event schedules. Contact us by email Lsnwj-media@lsnj.org for information about upcoming events.

Contact us by email at Lsnwj-media@lsnj.org to request a topic or other information for a future community legal education event.

No. Attorneys practice and receive training in specific areas. All LSNWJ attorneys are well qualified to handle cases in their practice areas, and are supervised by senior attorneys. Your attorney will be assigned to you based on the type of legal matter you have and the county in which you are located.

Tell the attorney handling your case, or talk to the managing attorney. You have further options to address a grievance. See below.

If you have been DENIED LEGAL ASSISTANCE, you may do the following:

•Contact Michael L. Wojcik, Chief Executive Officer, Legal Services of Northwest Jersey, in writing or by telephone or e-mail. The mailing address is 90 East Main Street, Somerville, NJ 08876-2312.

The telephone number is (908) 231-0840. The e-mail address is mwojcik@lsnj.org. If you are not satisfied with the decision, you may:

•Request to confer with a member of the LSNWJ Grievance Committee, which consists of representatives of the Board of Trustees of LSNWJ, by filing a written complaint with the Board of Trustees Grievance Committee, 90 East Main Street, Somerville, NJ 08876-2312. The Committee member will schedule a conference with you within ten (10) business days of your request.

If you feel that your case HAS NOT BEEN HANDLED PROPERLY, you may do the following:

1. Contact Michael L. Wojcik, Chief Executive Officer, Legal Services of Northwest Jersey, in writing or by telephone or e-mail. The mailing address is 90 East Main Street, Somerville, NJ 08876-2312. The telephone number is (908) 231-0840. The e-mail address is mwojcik@lsnj.org. If you are not satisfied with the decision, you may:

2. Request a hearing before the LSNWJ Grievance Committee, which consists of representatives of the Board of Trustees of LSNWJ, by filing a complaint with the Board of Trustees Grievance Committee by email at lsnwj-admin@lsnj.org or by mail at 90 East Main Street, Somerville, NJ 08876-2312. The Committee will schedule a hearing within seven (7) days of your request and will explain your rights within the hearing process.

If you are still not satisfied, you may make an oral or written complaint to the funding source under which you have or should have been served. If you are served under our Legal Services Corporation Grant, contact the Office of Compliance and Review, LSC, 3333 K St., 3rd floor, Washington, DC 20007. You are not required to submit your grievance to the Committee mentioned in this procedure. If you do so, you still have the right to complain to the Legal Services Corporation or other funding source. In addition, you may also file a complaint with the NJ Office of Attorney Ethics.