Bill Provides $560 Million to the Legal Services Corporation

Bill Provides $560 Million to the Legal Services Corporation

1.3.2023

By Hilary Jochmans

In its waning hours, the 117th Congress passed the 2023 Omnibus Appropriations bill, which included the association’s perennial federal legislative priority of increased funding for the Legal Services Corporation.  On Dec. 29, President Biden signed the measure, which provides $560 million through Sept. 30.

The LSC is an independent non-profit corporation established by Congress in 1974 to provide financial support for civil legal aid to low-income Americans to promote equal access to justice.  New York has seven LSC grantees that serve low-income individuals, children, families, seniors, and veterans throughout the state and in every congressional district.

Each year,  the LSC enjoys broad bi-partisan support. Even when President Trump proposed cutting all federal money for LSC, Congress rebuffed this suggestion and came together to appropriate this critical funding.

But in an era of increasing demand for federal dollars throughout the country, diligent advocacy is necessary to ensure that Congress provides adequate funding for LSC in order to provide access to justice for those who need assistance. Federal funding will continue to be a key priority of the association in 2023.