Services
South Carolina Legal Services (SCLS) provides free civil legal assistance to eligible South Carolinians. Eligibility is based on your income, assets, and the type of legal issue you’re facing. Please note: SCLS does not handle criminal cases.
How to Apply:
By Phone: Call our statewide intake office (LATIS) at 1-888-346-5592 (toll-free) or 803-744-9430 (Columbia area). Intake hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Note: We do not provide legal advice over the phone. If your primary language is not English or Spanish, please contact your local SCLS office directly. (see locations here).Online: Submit an application through our online application.
During the application process, we will ask questions about your income, assets, and legal issue to determine eligibility. Generally, your household income must be at or below 125% of the Federal Poverty Level, though exceptions may apply based on specific grants. #.
We also consider your assets (e.g., bank accounts, property). Some grants allow us to assist clients who exceed these limits.
Cost of Services
SCLS does not charge attorney’s fees to eligible clients whose cases are accepted. However, clients may be responsible for certain out-of-pocket expenses, such as:
- Court filing fees
- Service fees
- Guardian ad Litem fees
- Costs for medical or other records
Confidentiality and Conflicts
To avoid conflicts of interest, we will ask for information about the person, business, or agency involved in your legal issue.
If you are calling on behalf of someone else (e.g., a spouse or family member), we may need to speak directly with that person to proceed.
Levels of Assistance
Due to limited resources, we cannot accept every case. If your case is accepted, you may receive one of the following types of assistance:
- Counsel and Advice
- Brief Assistance
- Extended Representation
If we are unable to take your case, we may refer you to another organization. While we strive to make the best referrals possible, we cannot guarantee that the referred agency will be able to assist you.
Types of Cases We Handle
We assist with a wide range of civil legal issues, including:
- Consumer & Finance
- Education
- Elder Law
- Employment
- Family Law
- Health
- Housing
- Income Maintenance & Public Benefits
- Immigration & Migrant Issues
- Tax
