The threat of deep federal budget cuts to civil legal aid drew Legal Services Corporation President Ron Flagg to Alabama this month, where he met with the Legal Services Alabama Board of Directors to strategize ways to protect access to justice for low-income residents.

Flagg joined LSA leaders for a June meeting in Montgomery to discuss anticipated reductions in federal funding and their potential fallout across the state. As the largest funder of civil legal aid in the United States, LSC is a vital resource for LSA, which provides critical help in housing, family law, consumer protection, public benefits, elder law and veteran support.

“LSA is fortunate to have the commitment of LSC to help ensure that Alabamians continue to have access to justice,” said LSA Executive Director Guy Lescault.

Flagg spoke with the board about the urgent need to pursue innovative ways to meet rising demand in underserved communities if LSC funding is lost. Currently, 73% of LSA’s operating budget comes from LSC grants. Other grants help support certain services, but none can match the scope of LSC’s investment.

While 48 states allocate state funding to civil legal aid, Alabama does not, leaving LSA especially exposed to federal cuts. The loss of LSC support would force staff layoffs and significant budget reductions, further straining the agency’s already limited capacity. In the worst-case scenario, if federal funding were eliminated altogether, LSA would be forced to shut down, creating even higher barriers to civil legal aid for those who can least afford it.

For more information about Legal Services Alabama and its work across the state, visit www.legalservicesalabama.org.