SCLS General Brochure

Who We Are and What We Do

How does SCLS help people?

  • Provides representation in judicial and administrative forums
  • Gives legal counsel and advice
  • Conducts legal education and outreach about rights and responsibilities ("preventative" law)
  • Distributes legal self-help materials, forms
  • Conducts Self-Represented Litigant Clinics
  • Offers a holistic approach, including referrals to and from appropriate agencies

Legal Problems SCLS Can Handle

  • Consumer/Finance: Bankruptcy (Chapter 7 & 13), Collections, Contracts/Warranties on Cars & Appliances
  • Education: Discipline, Special Education, & Bullying
  • Elder Law/Miscellaneous: Wills, Advanced Directives, Probate, FEMA & Other Disaster Benefits
  • Employment: Wage Claims, Federal Taxes, Unemployment, Expungement, Driver's License Suspension
  • Family: Adoption, Visitation, Custody, Domestic Abuse, Name Changes, Amended Birth Certificates, Delayed Birth Certificates
  • Health: Medicaid, Medicare, Private Health Insurance
  • Housing: Foreclosures, Public Housing and Evictions, Homeownership, Federally Subsidized Housing
  • Income Maintenance/Public Benefits: Social Security, SNAP Benefits, Veterans Benefits, Family Independence Benefits (TANF)
  • Individual Rights: U Visas, T-Visas, Battered Spouse Waivers, Expungement
  • Federal Income Tax
  • Community Economic Development
  • Migrant Farmworkers

This is not a complete listing. The types of legal problems SCLS can handle may change depending on our resources. See our case priorities for more information.

Legal Problems SCLS CANNOT Handle

  • Class Actions
  • Criminal Cases
  • Fee-Generating Cases
  • Litigation on Behalf of Prisoners
  • Lobbying and Political Activities

Eligibility

  • Low Income: Limits on income and assets unless a special grant applies
  • Citizenship – U.S. Citizens or eligible residents unless victim of human trafficking, sexual assault, or domestic violence

Intake does not guarantee representation.

Cost Paid by Client

  • Court filing fees – if not waived by the court
  • Cost ordered by a court
  • Guardian ad Litem fees
  • Mediation fees
  • Service of process fees

Special Accommodations Available

  • Home visits for the elderly/disabled
  • Language interpretation services and bilingual staff
  • Braille and sign language services
  • Meet in the county where the client lives
  • Late office hours

How Do I Apply?

Other Resources

Legal Information and Training for:

  • Low-income Community Groups
  • Faith-Based Groups
  • Public and Non-Profit Agencies

Self-Help Forms and Instructions

  • Child Support
  • Visitation
  • Divorce (one-year separation)
  • Petition for Order of Protection

Websites for Legal Information

  • lawhelp.org/sc – information about your rights and legal responsibilities; legal forms and court documents
  • sclegal.org – links to legal information and resources; SCLS' online application and general information about SCLS
  • youtube.com/sclegalservices – videos on numerous legal topics
  • schousinglaw.org – rental considerations; eviction information; mold and other repair issues

Invest in Us!

You can help put justice in everyone’s reach by contributing to South Carolina Legal Services, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit law firm. We receive federal funding as well as various other grants. However, more than 800,000 South Carolinians live below the poverty level, and many legal needs go unmet. Click here to donate to SCLS using our JustGiving platform. You can also mail your monetary donations payable to:

South Carolina Legal Services
PO Box 1445
Columbia, SC 29202

Donations to SCLS are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Mission

South Carolina Legal Services provides civil legal services to protect low-income residents.

Vision

Ensuring full and fair access to justice for all low-income South Carolinians.

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