The Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation (MLAC) was created in 1983 through the Commonwealth “for the purpose of providing financial support for legal assistance programs that provide representation to persons financially unable to afford such assistance in proceedings or matters other than criminal proceedings.” MLAC does not provide funds for legal assistance in criminal matters or in any civil matter in which the state is required by statute or the state or federal constitutions to provide representation to indigent persons.

If you are a current grantee, you can view the application and funding policy materials here.

Program Eligibility

To be eligible for funding, programs must meet the following criteria:

• Be a nonprofit corporation that delivers free legal assistance in civil matters to low income persons and;
• Have a board of directors composed of at least 25 percent people who would be income eligible to receive services and at least 51 percent attorneys.

For purposes of MLAC funding, with some exceptions, clients must meet one of the following requirements: client or a member of the household receives public assistance under the Massachusetts Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC), Emergency Aid to Elders, Disabled and Children (EAEDC), means tested Veterans' benefits programs, receives assistance under Title XVI of the Social Security Act, is eligible for assistance from the MassHealth program or has income after taxes which is less than 125 percent of the federal poverty threshold established by the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Process

• Applications are accepted once per year.
• Organizations must complete an application and, if determined eligible, meet with an application review team that consists of representatives from the MLAC Board and Staff.

Timeline

• The application is generally available in early March and may be obtained by contacting Beth Chandler, MLAC Deputy Director at (617) 367-8544.
• Applications must be received in the MLAC office by mid-April for consideration.
• Decisions are announced in July.

Funding

Funding is quarterly beginning October 1. MLAC provides funding for the following:

Local general support funds

At least 80 percent of MLAC general support funding goes to regional legal services organizations based on the number of low-income persons in the area they serve as determined by Census data.

Statewide general support funds

Up to 20 percent of MLAC funding is dispersed to organizations that provide services statewide.

Special Project Funds

MLAC provides the following restricted funding:

• Disability Benefits Project funding that provides legal representation to Massachusetts residents seeking federal Social Security benefits and who meet the income guidelines set forth above.
• Medicare Advocacy Project funds which provide legal assistance to Massachusetts residents who are seeking or who have been denied coverage under the Medicare Program and who meet the income guidelines set forth above.
• Battered Women's Legal Assistance Project funding that provides legal assistance to Massachusetts residents who are victims of domestic violence and who meet the income guidelines set forth above. Comprehensive, long term post 209A legal assistance in Probate and Family Court matters is provided to eligible clients. In addition, other legal assistance that would help obtain long term family security to victims of domestic violence may be provided.
• Basic Family Law Services funding that provides other family law services that benefit victims of domestic violence, including but not limited to community legal education, pro bono panels, clinics and less complex casework.
• Single purpose funds to address specialized needs of segments of the client community.

Other policies, expectations and requirements

Other policies, expectations and requirements are set forth in the application. The Applicant's Board Chair or Board President and its Executive Director must review the policies and submit Assurances that, if awarded funds, the applicant will comply with the policies and requirements.

For more information on applying for MLAC funds, contact Deputy Director Beth Chandler at (617) 367-8544 or bchandler@mlac.org.