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Ask Your State Senator to Support Civil Legal Aid!
On May 7, 2024, the Massachusetts Senate Committee on Ways and Means released its FY25 budget recommendations. Included was $49 million for the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation (MLAC, line item 0321-1600).
Civil legal aid is a lifeline for Massachusetts residents in crisis. To be financially eligible for civil legal aid, a household’s income must be at or below 125% of the federal poverty level – $39,000 per year for a family of four and $18,825 for an individual.
While recent investments from the legislature have resulted in a sizable decrease in the number of income-eligible residents being turned away from legal aid organizations, still only about 50% of qualified applicants receive legal representation.
MLAC requests $55 million to strengthen legal aid’s capacity, so attorneys can assist more people with serious civil legal problems in FY25.
Your advocacy now is critical. Senators Eldridge and Creem have filed Amendment #903 to increase MLAC funding in the Senate Budget to the requested total of $55 million. Please contact your state senator today and urge them to: (1) co-sponsor Amendment #903; and (2) communicate their support for Amendment #903 to Senate President Karen Spilka and Senate Ways & Means Chair Michael Rodrigues.
We have made advocacy easy: This form will connect you with your senator and provide a sample email message. You may personalize your message with a brief sentence about why you support more civil legal aid funding. Then, sign your name and click submit! It only takes a few minutes and has a big impact.
To learn more about the state budget process, visit: https://equaljusticecoalition.org/state-budget/.
If you have any questions, please contact EJC Director Laura Booth at lbooth@equaljusticecoalition.org.
Contact Your Legislators!
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We appreciate your willingness to contact your elected officials in support of increased civil legal aid funding. There are other ways for you to stay involved in the EJC's budget campaign. Make sure your peers are subscribed to our action alerts. Follow us on social media (@EqualJusticeMA) and re-share EJC content. And keep an eye on your inbox for future action alerts that you can participate in.
Thank You from the EJC
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Thank you for advocating for civil legal aid. Share this action alert with your peers—and visit our Get Involved page to learn more about how you can support the campaign.
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