Legal Aid Eligibility Guidelines
Am I eligible for legal services? To receive help from Northwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services (NWLS), you must meet certain financial guidelines:
- Standard Income Limit: Your household income must generally be within 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
- Income Expectations: In some cases, we can deduct allowable expenses to represent individuals with incomes up to 175% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
- Asset Guidelines: You must also meet specific asset and property ownership requirements.
- Special Exception: If you are seeking a Protection From Abuse (PFA) order, we provide representation regardless of your income or assets.
How To Apply
- Online: Apply for services online
- By Phone: Call the New Client Line at (814) 452-6957 or (800) 665-6957
| People in Household |
Regular Income Guidelines (125% of Poverty) |
175% of Poverty |
||||
| (updated 02-2026) | Weekly | Monthly | Yearly | Weekly | Monthly | Yearly |
| 1 | $383.65 | $1,662.50 | $19,950.00 | $537.12 | $2,327.50 | $27,930.00 |
| 2 | $520.19 | $2,254.17 | $27,050.00 | $728.27 | $3,155.83 | $37,870.00 |
| 3 | $656.73 | $2,845.83 | $34,150.00 | $919.42 | $3,984.17 | $47,810.00 |
| 4 | $793.27 | $3,437.50 | $41,250.00 | $1,110.58 | $4,812.50 | $57,750.00 |
| 5 | $929.81 | $4,029.17 | $48,350.00 | $1,301.73 | $5,640.83 | $67,690.00 |
| 6 | $1,066.35 | $4,620.83 | $55,450.00 | $1,492.88 | $6,469.17 | $77,630.00 |
| 7 | $1,202.88 | $5,212.50 | $62,550.00 |
$1,684.04 |
$7,297.50 | $87,570.00 |
| 8 | $1,339.42 | $5,804.17 | $69,650.00 | $1,875.19 | $8,125.83 | $97,510.00 |
| For ea. addl. add: | $136.54 | $591.66 | $7,100.00 | $191.15 | $828.00 | $9,940.00 |
| People in Household |
Regular Income Guidelines (125% of Poverty) |
||
| (updated 01-2020) | Weekly | Monthly | Yearly |
| 1 | $306.73 | $1,329.17 | $15,950.00 |
| 2 | $414.42 | $1,795.83 | $21,550.00 |
| 3 | $522.12 | $2,262.50 | $27,150.00 |
| 4 | $629.81 | $2,729.17 | $32,750.00 |
| 5 | $737.50 | $3,195.83 | $38,350.00 |
| 6 | $845.19 | $3,662.50 | $43,950.00 |
| 7 | $952.88 | $4,129.17 | $49,550.00 |
| 8 | $1,060.58 | $4,595.83 | $55,150.00 |
| For ea. addl. add: | $107.69 | $466.67 | $5,600.00 |
| People in Household | 150% of Poverty | ||
| (updated 01-2020) | Weekly | Monthly | Yearly |
| 1 | $368.08 | $1,595.00 | $19,140.00 |
| 2 | $497.31 | $2,155.00 | $25,860.00 |
| 3 | $626.54 | $2,715.00 | $32,580.00 |
| 4 | $755.77 | $3,275.00 | $39,300.00 |
| 5 | $885.00 | $3,835.00 | $46,020.00 |
| 6 | $1,014.23 | $4,395.00 | $52,740.00 |
| 7 | $1,143.46 | $4,955.00 | $59,460.00 |
| 8 | $1,272.69 | $5,515.00 | $66,180.00 |
| For ea. addl. add: | $129.23 | $560.00 | $6,270.00 |
Apply for Legal Help Now
You can start an application for legal help from Northwestern Legal Services by answering some questions.
However, you will not be a client of Northwestern Legal Services unless we contact you and tell you that your case is accepted.
However, you will not be a client of Northwestern Legal Services unless we contact you and tell you that your case is accepted.
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