NH Delegation Applauds Federal Award to Bolster Legal Assistance for Granite Staters
(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), joined by Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Representatives Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Chris Pappas (NH-01), applauded the Legal Services Corporation’s (LSC) recent announcement that the Legal Advice & Referral Center in New Hampshire will receive a $62,290 Technology Initiative Grant to bolster legal assistance for Granite Staters. The grant will improve the center’s use of technology in assisting low-income individuals with civil legal needs. The LSC is a non-profit organization established by Congress to provide financial support for civil legal aid to low-income Americans. The LSC’s Technology Initiative Grants program supports legal aid organizations in developing and utilizing technologies that improve efficiency and increase access to high-quality legal assistance. Senator Shaheen, the lead Democrat of the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, has repeatedly secured federal funding to continue the LSC program in the yearly appropriations process, despite the Trump administration’s efforts to defund the program.
“I’m very pleased the Legal Advice & Referral Center has been awarded these important federal dollars, which will help ensure legal assistance isn’t out of reach for Granite Staters seeking help,” said Senator Shaheen. “This significant investment in the center’s technologies and capabilities will improve the delivery of services to New Hampshire residents trying to access legal assistance. As the lead Democrat of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee that funds the Legal Services Corporation, I’ll continue to work across the aisle to boost federal funding for this important organization.”
“I am grateful for the work of New Hampshire Legal Aid to ensure that Granite Staters–regardless of their financial circumstances–have access to legal advice and representation, and this federal grant will help support their vital efforts,” said Senator Hassan.
“Ensuring that individuals without representation have the tools and support they need to be treated fairly by our legal system is a critical step forward,” said Congresswoman Kuster who has consistently supported appropriation requests for the Legal Services Corporation. “This funding will help to empower low-income individuals who are representing themselves in court. I’m pleased by this development and I will continue my efforts to remove barriers and expand opportunities for all Americans.”
“Everyone deserves access to assistance while navigating our complex legal system, regardless of their circumstances,” said Congressman Pappas. “These federal dollars and the ongoing work of the New Hampshire Legal Advice and Referral Center will go a long way in ensuring all Granite Staters have critical support through difficult times.”
“LSC’s Technology Initiative Grants increase access to justice for low-income people with critical civil legal needs,” said LSC President Jim Sandman. “These technology projects improve the delivery of legal services and information to the millions of Americans who would otherwise have to navigate the legal system alone.”
The Legal Advice & Referral Center will use the grant to create an online self-help pilot project for self-represented litigants. The project will focus on low-income individuals with cases relating to housing and consumer law. It will employ legal document assembly software and other technology tools to assist individuals who have to navigate the justice system without the help of an attorney.
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