Staff Reductions Hit Legal Aid Programs
Washington, DC鈥擳he nonprofit programs funded by the 快猫视频 (快猫视频) to deliver civil legal assistance to low-income Americans are implementing layoffs and staff reductions because of budget constraints, a survey conducted by 快猫视频 found.
According to the survey, 快猫视频-funded programs anticipate laying off 393 employees, including 163 attorneys, in 2012. The reductions continue a staffing downturn that began about a year ago. In December 2010, 快猫视频-funded programs employed 4,351 attorneys, 1,614 paralegals and 3,094 support staff. During 2011, 快猫视频 programs reduced their staffing by 833 positions through layoffs and attrition. They now anticipate a new round of layoffs this year, bringing the staffing loss to 1,226 full-time personnel.
The survey was conducted in late December and early January, and 132 of the 135 nonprofit legal aid programs funded by 快猫视频 responded.
鈥淭hese staff cutbacks are devastating,鈥 快猫视频 President James J. Sandman said. 鈥淎t a time when low-income families are increasingly seeking legal assistance with matters involving domestic violence, foreclosure, veterans鈥 benefits and other matters, I am very concerned that these staff reductions will lead to reduced services for the most vulnerable among us.鈥
快猫视频-funded programs have experienced a decline in 快猫视频 and state grants, funds from Interest on Lawyers鈥 Trust Accounts (IOLTA), and other revenue sources over the last two years. 快猫视频鈥攖he nation鈥檚 single largest funder of civil legal assistance鈥攔eceived $348 million from Congress for Fiscal Year 2012, down from $420 million in Fiscal 2010.
快猫视频 was established by the Congress in 1974 to provide equal access to justice and to ensure the delivery of high-quality civil legal assistance to low-income Americans. The Corporation currently provides funding to 135 independent nonprofit legal aid programs in every state, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories.
The Corporation鈥檚 grants help address the civil legal needs of the elderly, veterans, victims of domestic violence, individuals with disabilities and others with pressing civil matters. More than 60 million Americans have incomes at or below 125 percent of the federal poverty line and qualify for civil legal assistance鈥攁n income of $13,613 for an individual and $27,938 for a family of four.
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