Community Legal Aid, Inc. (CLA) is the free civil legal aid provider for residents of the five counties of Central and Western Massachusetts (Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, and Worcester). CLA maintains full-service offices in Worcester, Fitchburg, Springfield, Northampton and Pittsfield, and also uses satellite office space to meet with clients throughout our region.
CLA specializes in assisting tenants threatened with eviction or the loss of a rent subsidy; homeless families trying to access shelter; individuals and families trying to access public benefits programs and unemployment compensation; domestic violence victims in family law matters; students in need of services to help them thrive in school; elders facing threats to their autonomy, independence, or safety; and persons seeking help with a civil legal problem connected to the fact that they are a victim of a crime. Our wholly-owned subsidiary, Central West Justice Center, helps people seeking humanitarian-based immigration relief, low-wage workers with employment-related legal matters, and individuals and families trying to access public benefits.
WHAT IS CIVIL LEGAL AID?
Civil legal aid is based on the principle that everyone in America is equal under the law. Too often, however, the way people are treated in the justice system depends on whether they can afford a lawyer who will help protect their basic rights. Civil legal aid provides free legal help with non-criminal problems such as evictions, foreclosures, domestic violence, unfair consumer practices, and access to disability benefits.
Civil legal aid:
- Assures fair access to justice for everyone, regardless of how much money they have
- Provides legal assistance in non-criminal cases to people who cannot afford a private attorney
- Educates clients about their rights and responsibilities
- Gives people access to information such as easy-to-follow legal forms
- Helps people protect their livelihoods, their health, and their families