Record last updated 2024/12/16 Comment on this info .Update this info

Narrative

Community Legal Aid serves residents of Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, and Worcester counties in central and western Massachusetts.  Our clients are:

• Tenants facing wrongful eviction
• Homeowners facing foreclosure
• Survivors of domestic violence
• Workers cheated out of wages or denied lawful benefits
• Children in need of a stable home or special education
• Elders whose economic security or health care is in jeopardy
• Disabled people denied opportunities

Not everyone is eligible for civil legal aid.  Subject to certain exceptions, Community Legal Aid serves clients who:

• Are residents of central or western Mass.
• Have incomes under 125% of the federal poverty guidelines (in 2014, annual gross income of $14,588 for an individual, or $29,813 for a family of four), or are age 60 and older
• Have civil legal issues aligned with our social justice priorities

The Medicare Advocacy Project (MAP) assists Medicare beneficiaries who are enrolled in traditional Medicare or in a Medicare Advantage Plan.  The project helps  beneficiaries who are denied coverage for physicians’ services, durable medical equipment, home health care, or skilled nursing facility care; beneficiaries who are forced to leave the hospital prematurely, are denied prior approvals by their managed care plans, or are made to wait for coverage to begin under threat of a premium penalty; and people who need navigating the complex prescription drug benefit.  In addition to free legal representation, MAP offers comprehensive and up-to-date education on Medicare.  For service in Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, or Worcester County, please contact Community Legal Aid. 

For service in other counties, please contact the MAP headquarters at Greater Boston Legal Services at 800-323-3205.

Service Types

• Discrimination
• Employment Law
• Family Rights And Guardianship
• Legal Representation

Program Type

• Advocacy
• Legal

Populations Served

• All Disabilities
• Developmental Disability
• Elderly Person with disabilities
• Intellectual Disabilities
• Mental Illness
• Multiple Disability
• Physical Disabilities

Ages Served

• 19 - 22
• 23 – 59
• 60 +

Accessibility Features

• Accessible Parking
• Accessible Restrooms
• Elevators
• Near Public Transportation
• Services at Home
• Services at Work

Additional Information

• Fees: Free Service