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With 1.7 million people eligible for legal aid in Michigan, there is an immense need for free legal help. Unfortunately, individuals do not receive assistance for 93% of the civil legal issues they face.
Despite MAP programs closing nearly 10,000 cases in 2022, there are not enough legal aid attorneys or funding available to serve everyone who needs assistance. This gap leaves many people to go it alone in civil court, which can be a critical disadvantage. Our attorneys' advocacy goes a long way to increase the safety, stability, and independence of our clients. The following stories of real MAP clients illustrate just how important equal access to the civil legal system is and the critical need for legal aid.
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Richard is a retired Vietnam veteran raising his two grandchildren, and in 2020 his employment was interrupted by the pandemic. Like thousands of other workers, his hours and earnings were reduced, and he turned to Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) for income. After receiving payments, the UIA reversed its decision and demanded he pay everything back. With our attorney representing him, Richard prevailed at his hearing, and his benefits were reinstated–allowing him to remain financially stable and provide for his family during the public health crisis.
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Carolina lived in a Section 8 housing unit and requested her landlord to make reasonable repairs. Her landlord refused, filing an eviction case against her instead. The filing triggered the termination of Carolina’s subsidy, and she could not afford to pay her rent. Because of our attorney's advocacy, the court dismissed her case, and MSDHA granted her a portable housing voucher, allowing her to retain safe and affordable housing.
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A little assistance can go a long way in the lives of our clients, but we can't do this work without your support! Even though we represent thousands of Michiganders every year, we can only reach a fraction of all those who need our help.
Help us continue to reach more individuals like Carolina and Richard by donating today, or check out our pro bono opportunities for more ways to get involved.
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MAP Staff Gather for the Annual Program Picnic | |
Staff from all of MAP's programs gathered for our annual program summer picnic and enjoyed a beautiful day with family and friends at the Potter Park Zoo!
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Nickie Perera receives Housing Advocate Award | Nickie Perera, Legal Services of South Central Michigan Supervising Attorney, was awarded Housing Advocate of The Year by Capital Area Housing Partnership earlier this month. Congratulations Nickie! | | |
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Angela Tripp, MLH Managing Attorney, was featured on Talk Justice, an LSC Podcast
MLH Managing Attorney, Angela Tripp, discussed the possibilities and concerns of using generative AI in legal services on this episode of Legal Services Corporation’s Talk Justice podcast.
“From the viewpoint of Michigan Legal Help, I see us having two roles; one is how can we incorporate [AI] into the work that we do to improve access for self-represented litigants. But, I also feel a responsibility to be involved in or…aware of what courts and agencies around the state are doing because it will impact self-represented litigants and legal aid clients."
Read more
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Interested in Legal Aid Work?
Here are some ways you can make a difference!
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Join Our Team
We are seeking new team members who share our passion for providing access to justice to those who need it most. Visit our employment page for full postings.
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Volunteer
MAP welcomes volunteer attorneys in each of our counties and programs. To volunteer, please complete our Pro Bono Attorney Registration Form.
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Give
Through your contributions, we can provide safety and security to thousands of Michigan families. Visit the link below to make a non-attorney donation, or click here to make an attorney donation.
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Please help us spread the word about these upcoming community events and resources. | |
Lenawee County Expungement Clinic | |
Thursday, August 24, 2023 - 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Do you need your record expunged?
Join us for an expungement fair for residents of Lenawee County hosted in partnership with Families Against Narcotics, on August 24th from 1-4 PM at the Lenawee County Courthouse. Registration is required!
Register here
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Family Law Assistance Project (FLAP) Clinic
Wednesday, July 26, 2023 - 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Who should attend?
Individuals with low income, who are U.S. Citizens or eligible undocumented immigrants; who need legal services in Oakland Country or live in Oakland County; whose circumstances are related to a domestic Personal Protection Order (PPO), or family law issues such as divorce, custody, parenting time, child support, minor guardianship; etc.; and who are not represented by an attorney.
More information
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New Michigan Anti-distracted Driving Law | |
The state of Michigan passed a law aimed at reducing distractions while driving that went into effect on June 30.
This new law makes it illegal in Michigan for any individual to hold or use a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle.
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Changes to Food Assistance Eligibility | |
A new bill, signed July 12, 2023, eliminates the asset test as a factor determining food assistance eligibility in Michigan. Previously, families with assets totaling more than $15,000 were ineligible for food assistance.
Read more
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Air Quality Information for Workers | |
If you have a work-related illness from working under unsafe conditions, such as hazardous air quality, you may be eligible for workers' compensation.
Call the MDHSS hotline for questions about air quality-related illness: 1-800-648-6942 Or, find more information about air quality concerns here.
For more information on workers' compensation, see page 28 of the FLS calendar.
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More than 100K Michiganders stand to lose Medicaid coverage if they do not file claims by July 31 | |
Take action to avoid a gap in coverage. Follow these steps to determine if you still qualify:
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Make sure your contact information is up to date here or through a local MDHSS office.
- Check mail or text messages for a letter.
- Complete your renewal form by its due date.
For more information about Medicaid eligibility renewals, visit Michigan.gov/2023BenefitChanges. For more information about coverage options for those losing Medicaid coverage, visit Michigan.gov/StayCovered or call the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services at 877-999-6442, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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'Rationing justice': Legal aid programs struggle to meet high demand
"Every day legal aid programs have to make choices on which individual...they will help and which they have to turn away" Angela Tripp, MLH Managing Attorney, tells the Detroit Free Press.
"Access to legal help is crucial because underlying each individual's case is their life story. Their housing case has implications for their ability to maintain their job. If they can't keep their housing, they could lose their job," MAP Executive Director, Ann Routt, shared.
Read more
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West Michigan blueberry farm accused of trafficking workers
“No employee should be made to work under threat from their employer,” Gonzalo Peralta, MIRC staff attorney tells Mlive.
Read more
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MI Bills Could Prohibit Landlords' Source-of-Income Discrimination
"You have a relatively short period of time to be able to place that voucher. A lot of landlords do not accept those vouchers. You can actually run out of time to use that voucher, and you can lose it. That ticket to stable, affordable housing is cut off."
Nora Ryan, Michigan Legal Help Supervising Attorney, explains how landlords can discriminate against individuals using housing vouchers--including veterans, retirees, and their families--because they are not protected by anti-discrimination laws.
Read more
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