Iowa Legal Aid

What is Iowa Legal Aid?

If you cannot afford a lawyer and have a legal problem in Iowa, you may be able to get free legal help from Iowa Legal Aid. Iowa Legal Aid is a not-for-profit organization that provides free legal assistance for low-income individuals in all 99 Iowa counties. The Iowa Legal Aid has ten legal aid offices throughout the state: Council Bluffs, Davenport, Des Moines, Dubuque, Iowa City, Mason City, Ottumwa, Sioux City and Waterloo. A fee is not charged for services; however, clients may need to pay court filing fees or other costs of representation.

What does Iowa Legal Aid do?

Iowa Legal Aid provides free legal assistance in non-criminal cases. There are no restrictions on the aid provided to refugees and few restrictions for immigrants. There are some restrictions for undocumented persons but in cases dealing with domestic violence, for example, there are no restrictions for persons who are undocumented.

Typical cases handled by Iowa Legal Aid involve problems with basic necessities, fundamental rights or safety, and include:

  • Protecting the rights of people who do not speak English to have an interpreter in court and other proceedings
  • Protecting victims of domestic violence
  • Preventing illegal evictions, foreclosures and unsafe housing
  • Preventing consumer fraud and abusive debt collection practices
  • Helping with assistance in government benefits

Many private attorneys also volunteer their services to the program through participation in volunteer lawyers’ projects. Iowa Legal Aid regional offices make referrals of clients to the volunteer lawyers’ projects.

Assistance ranges from providing counsel and advice to representation before various agencies and courts

Iowa Legal Aid does NOT provide assistance with criminal matters.

How do I get services from Iowa Legal Aid?

Visit their website at www.iowalegalaid.org where you will find information in a number of different languages. You may also call their offices. To find out which office serves your county, call 1.800.532.1275. If you are age 60 or over, you may also be able to get free legal advice from The Legal Hotline for Older Iowans at 1.800.992.8161.

To apply for assistance from Iowa Legal Aid, call the following numbers:

Eastern Iowa: 319.235.7008

Central Iowa: 515.243.1193 or 515.280.3636

Western Iowa: 800.532.1275

Des Moines Local: 515.243.1193

Southwest Iowa: 712.328.3982

Southeast Iowa: 641.683.3166

Northeast Iowa: 563.588.4653

Northwest Iowa: 712.277.8686

Legal Aid usually has many cases and clients. You need to be prepared to be patient.

Disclaimer: Information on this page is not legal advice for any individual case or situation. The information is general and should not be relied upon for any specific situation. For specific situations, please consult an attorney.

Iowa Legal Aid

What is Iowa Legal Aid?

If you cannot afford a lawyer and have a legal problem in Iowa, you may be able to get free legal help from Iowa Legal Aid. Iowa Legal Aid is a not-for-profit organization that provides free legal assistance for low-income individuals in all 99 Iowa counties. The Iowa Legal Aid has ten legal aid offices throughout the state: Council Bluffs, Davenport, Des Moines, Dubuque, Iowa City, Mason City, Ottumwa, Sioux City and Waterloo. A fee is not charged for services; however, clients may need to pay court filing fees or other costs of representation.

What does Iowa Legal Aid do?

Iowa Legal Aid provides free legal assistance in non-criminal cases. There are no restrictions on the aid provided to refugees and few restrictions for immigrants. There are some restrictions for undocumented persons but in cases dealing with domestic violence, for example, there are no restrictions for persons who are undocumented.

Typical cases handled by Iowa Legal Aid involve problems with basic necessities, fundamental rights or safety, and include:

  • Protecting the rights of people who do not speak English to have an interpreter in court and other proceedings
  • Protecting victims of domestic violence
  • Preventing illegal evictions, foreclosures and unsafe housing
  • Preventing consumer fraud and abusive debt collection practices
  • Helping with assistance in government benefits

Many private attorneys also volunteer their services to the program through participation in volunteer lawyers’ projects. Iowa Legal Aid regional offices make referrals of clients to the volunteer lawyers’ projects.

Assistance ranges from providing counsel and advice to representation before various agencies and courts

Iowa Legal Aid does NOT provide assistance with criminal matters.

How do I get services from Iowa Legal Aid?

Visit their website at www.iowalegalaid.org where you will find information in a number of different languages. You may also call their offices. To find out which office serves your county, call 1.800.532.1275. If you are age 60 or over, you may also be able to get free legal advice from The Legal Hotline for Older Iowans at 1.800.992.8161.

To apply for assistance from Iowa Legal Aid, call the following numbers:

Eastern Iowa: 319.235.7008

Central Iowa: 515.243.1193 or 515.280.3636

Western Iowa: 800.532.1275

Des Moines Local: 515.243.1193

Southwest Iowa: 712.328.3982

Southeast Iowa: 641.683.3166

Northeast Iowa: 563.588.4653

Northwest Iowa: 712.277.8686

Legal Aid usually has many cases and clients. You need to be prepared to be patient.

Disclaimer: Information on this page is not legal advice for any individual case or situation. The information is general and should not be relied upon for any specific situation. For specific situations, please consult an attorney.