How to Get Help From Prairie State Legal Services

How to Get Help from Prairie State Legal Services

If you have a legal problem and need help, call the nearest Prairie State Legal Services office. Generally potential clients are interviewed over the telephone first, although some offices have walk-in hours for certain type of cases. Do not apply for services using email. If you send an email you will receive a return email directing you to call the office (explanation). There is no need to come to the office unless you are told to do so. An attorney will answer your call. That attorney will first determine if there is a conflict of interest and then whether you are financially eligible for free legal services. The telephone counselor attorney will complete your application during this call.

If you have any court papers or other important documents, please have them ready.

If your local office is not able to accept your case because it already has too many clients, the telephone counselor will advise you of other options that may be available to you. The attorney may also send you written material to help you handle your legal problem.

If your local office is able to accept your case or it appears likely that your case will be accepted, you will be scheduled for an appointment at the local Prairie State office.

Because the demand for this service has been very high, callers are increasingly reporting they are reaching busy signals or extended times on hold. In an emergency, callers who have been unable to reach the Telephone Counseling Service should call back the local office and stay on the line until the receptionist answers. When the receptionist answers, the caller should explain the emergency nature of the problem. Emergencies may include some domestic violence matters, a threatened or actual lock-out by a landlord, or other matters in which the applicant faces immediate serious risk to his or her health or safety. Some offices have walk-in hours to provide an additional option for callers having difficulty reaching the telephone service.

The Telephone Counseling Service currently operates from 9:05 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. and from 1:05 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. These hours are subject to change.

Although we would like to help everyone who is eligible for our services, our limited resources and our concern for providing quality representation require us to limit the number of cases we can accept at any one time.

Human service workers may contact Prairie State directly if the situation warrants. The goal of the Telephone Counseling Service is to expand services by providing prompt legal advice. Prairie State is very concerned that this system not serve as a barrier to services for low income persons who have legal problems affecting their basic human needs. We hope human service staff will contact the Prairie State office serving their area if they have a client who requires prompt legal help and is unable to reach the Telephone Counseling Service.