# Northwestern Legal Services > Northwestern Legal Services offers free civil legal aid in 10 PA counties, helping low-income residents with housing, family law, benefits, and more. ## Main - [Non-Profit Law Firm](https://www.nwls.org/): Northwestern Legal Services offers free civil legal aid in 10 PA counties, helping low-income residents with housing, family law, benefits, and more. - [Board of Directors](https://www.nwls.org/boardofdirectors): Information about NWLS Board of Directors and Board Meetings - [Community Outreach](https://www.nwls.org/community-outreach): NWLS serves northwest Pennsylvania through various community outreach and engagement efforts, educating citizens on all matters of civil law. - [COVID-19 Legal Resources](https://www.nwls.org/covid-19-resources): NWLS is a non-profit law firm providing free civil legal aid to low-income residents in 10 northwestern PA counties. - [NWLS + Crawford Gives](https://www.nwls.org/crawford-gives): Support Northwestern Legal Services during Crawford Gives, August 29 and 30th. - [Eligibility Guidelines](https://www.nwls.org/do-i-qualify): Do you qualify for free legal aid from Northwestern Legal Services? See if you meet our eligibility guidelines, which are calculated based on the federal pov... - [Education Law](https://www.nwls.org/education-law): Learn about student rights, school suspensions, and expulsions in Pennsylvania. NWLS helps students and families protect their educational future. - [Family Law](https://www.nwls.org/family-law): Navigate family law issues in NWPA. Get help with divorce, child custody, support, domestic violence, and adoption. Free legal aid. - [Funders](https://www.nwls.org/funders): Funding for NWLS is derived from several federal, state, and private sources. We graciously accept donations to serve Northwest PA's indigent. - [Contact NWLS](https://www.nwls.org/get-in-touch): Get in touch with Northwestern Legal Services to learn more about the legal aid services they offer to various counties of NWPA. - [NWLS + giving Tuesday](https://www.nwls.org/Giving-Tuesday): Support Northwestern Legal Services during #GivingTuesday, November 29th - [History & Mission](https://www.nwls.org/history-and-mission): Northwestern Legal Services originated in the 1960s when 38 Erie County attorneys committed to increasing access to justice for the underserved of Northwest PA. - [Housing Issues](https://www.nwls.org/housing-issues): Discover your tenant rights in Northwestern PA. NWLS offers legal aid for housing issues, evictions, and more. Contact us for assistance today! - [Northwestern Legal Services](https://www.nwls.org/identity): NWLS is a non-profit law firm providing free civil legal aid to low-income residents in 10 northwestern PA counties. - [Careers](https://www.nwls.org/legal-careers): Northwestern Legal Services provides free legal aid to low-income citizens in 10 Northwest PA counties. To see how you can help, check our career listings. - [Our Impact](https://www.nwls.org/our-impact): Northwestern Legal Services strives for the best possible results for low-income individuals and families in search of civil legal aid. Learn about our impact. - [Our Locations](https://www.nwls.org/our-locations): Northwestern Legal Services has six regional offices serving 10 Northwest PA counties. - [Pardon Project of Erie County](https://www.nwls.org/pardon): Pardon Project of Erie County - [Public Benefits](https://www.nwls.org/public-benefits): Secure essential public benefits in NWPA. NWLS assists with applications, denials, and appeals for food, healthcare, and utility assistance. - [SSI Benefits Assistance](https://www.nwls.org/ssi-benefits): Get expert SSI benefits assistance in Northwestern PA with NWLS. We help with applications, appeals, and overpayments. Contact us for support today! - [Types of Legal Aid Cases](https://www.nwls.org/types-of-cases): NWLS determines its types of legal aid cases handled based on community priorities and the availability of resources within its Northwestern PA service area. - [Unemployment Law](https://www.nwls.org/unemployment-benefits): Get help with Unemployment Compensation in Northwestern PA. NWLS guides you through applying, appeals, and protecting your rights after job loss. ## Legal Self Help Materials - [Legal Self-Help Materials](https://www.nwls.org/legal-self-help-materials): Northwestern Legal Services offer a wide variety of different legal self-help materials and community legal services to guide you through potentially difficu... - [Disability and Illness](https://www.nwls.org/legal-self-help-materials/disability-and-illness): Individuals with disabilities and chronic illnesses are at risk of having their rights infringed upon without ever even knowing. - [Consumer Law](https://www.nwls.org/legal-self-help-materials/consumer): Don't fall victim to dishonest business practices. Prevent your personal information and credit history from being used against you. - [Housing Law](https://www.nwls.org/legal-self-help-materials/housing-law): As a tenant and homeowner, you are protected by the law. Don't let your rights be trampled, learn more about what you are entitled to. - [Education Law](https://www.nwls.org/legal-self-help-materials/education): Familiarize yourself with the ground rules of school suspensions and expulsions — and the student's rights to get back on track with this helpful breakdown. - [Employment Law](https://www.nwls.org/legal-self-help-materials/employment-law): Understanding your rights as a working individual is essential so that you aren't taken advantage of in the employment process. - [Expungement Law](https://www.nwls.org/legal-self-help-materials/expungement-law): Criminal records can drag behind you and make it challenging to find family-sustaining employment. Don't be held back any longer. - [Family](https://www.nwls.org/legal-self-help-materials/family-law): We provide self-help resources for family court so that your case has a boosted possibility of winning, whether filing for divorce or custody. - [Public Benefits](https://www.nwls.org/legal-self-help-materials/pa-government-assistance-programs): Educate yourself on the various ways to acquire government assistance in PA. - [Violence and Abuse](https://www.nwls.org/legal-self-help-materials/victims-domestic-violence-abuse): If you're a victim of domestic violence or abuse, you have a right to protection. Learn more with these self-help resources. ## Services - [Our Services](https://www.nwls.org/services): Free & low-cost legal aid in NW PA: Northwestern Legal Services helps with custody, housing, benefits & more for eligible low-income residents. - [Clinics for Clients](https://www.nwls.org/services/clinics-for-clients): NWLS offers pro se custody clinics for clients either once or twice a month, depending on the population of the Northwest PA county served. - [Direct Representation](https://www.nwls.org/services/direct-representation): Northwestern Legal Services offers direct representation for eligible applicants, setting up attorney-client appointments at our Northwest PA office locations. - [Pro Bono Work](https://www.nwls.org/services/pro-bono): Northwestern Legal Services partners with private attorneys to supply pro bono (free of charge) legal services to low-income residents of 10 Northwest PA cou... - [Telephone Advice Services](https://www.nwls.org/services/telephone-advice): Northwestern Legal Services provides free over-the-phone legal advice from qualified legal professionals to eligible low-income residents in 10 Northwest PA... ## Optional - [Awards: Pro Bono Awards & Recognition](https://www.nwls.org/awards): Northwestern Legal Services and the Erie County Bar Association present the annual Pro Bono Award to attorneys for selfless service to their peers and commun... - [Awards: Grady Receives 2002 Striving for Excellence Awards Presented by PLS](https://www.nwls.org/awards/grady-receives-2002-striving-for-excellence-awards-presented-by-pls): Pennsylvania Legal Services (PLS) recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication and commitment to legal services with the - [Awards: Thelma Grady, honored for her work and dedication to the community!](https://www.nwls.org/awards/thelma-grady-honored-for-her-work-and-dedication-to-the-community): Thelma Grady was recognized as a public housing hero by the Erie Housing Authority for her commitment and dedication to the low-income community. - [Awards: Thelma Grady receives the 2005 Liberty Bell Award](https://www.nwls.org/awards/thelma-grady-receives-the-2005-liberty-bell-award): Thelma Grady, Northwestern Legal Services (NWLS) board member and lay vice-president, received the 2005 Liberty Bell Award from the Erie County Bar Associa... - [Awards: Managing Attorney Paul Troskosky](https://www.nwls.org/awards/managing-attorney-paul-troskosky): NWLS Bradford Office Managing Attorney is awarded Pa Legal Aid Network's 2008 Excellence Award. - [Awards: Board Member Patricia Mickel Receives 2008 Liberty Bell Award](https://www.nwls.org/awards/patricia-mickel-receives-2008-liberty-bell-award-nwls-board-member-of-16-years): The Erie County Bar Association awards Patricia Mickel the 2008 Liberty Bell Award at the Erie County Law Day Ceremony on May 2, 2008. - [Awards: Attorney Jay W. Alberstadt Recognized for Service](https://www.nwls.org/awards/attorney-jay-w-alberstadt-recognized-for-service): Attorney Jay W. Alberstadt, Jr., attorney with MacDonald, Illig, Jones & Britton, LLP was awarded a 2008 Excellence Award from the Pennsylvania Legal Aid N... - [Awards: James A. Montero, Legal Assistant & Office Manager](https://www.nwls.org/awards/james-a-montero-legal-assistant--office-manager): Jim receives the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network 2010 Excellence Awards. - [Awards: Attorney Thomas Tupitza Receives Excellence Award](https://www.nwls.org/awards/attorney-thomas-tupitza-receives-excellence-award): Attorney Thomas A Tupitza, attorney Knox McLaughlin Gornall & Sennett, P.C, was awarded a 2011 Excellence Award from the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network for... - [Awards: James Montero, Office Manager, Receives Liberty Bell Award](https://www.nwls.org/awards/james-a-montero-office-manager--legal-assistant-receives-liberty-bell-award): Jim received the 2011 Liberty Bell Award presented by the Erie County Bar Association at the Law Day luncheon. - [Awards: Robert A. Oakley, Esq., NWLS Executive Director, Receives Excellence Award](https://www.nwls.org/awards/robert-a-oakley-esq-nwls-executive-director-receives-excellence-award): NWLS executive director Robert A. Oakley, Esq., was named a 2012 Excellence Award honoree by the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network (PLAN), the agency that adm... - [Awards: 2018 Pro Bono Attorneys of the Year: Ronald E. Cook and Daniel P. Foster](https://www.nwls.org/awards/2018-pro-bono-attorneys-of-the-year-ronald-e-cook-and-daniel-p-foster): At the nomination of U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Thomas P. Agresti, the Erie County Bar Association and Northwestern Legal Services are pleased to honor At... - [Awards: Matthew J. Lager](https://www.nwls.org/awards/matthew-j-lager-2017-pro-bono-attorney-of-the-year): The Erie County Bar Association and Northwestern Legal Services are pleased to honor Attorney Matthew J. Lager as the 2017 Pro Bono Attorney of the Year fo... - [Awards: Gary V. Skiba, Esq.- 2016 Pro bono Attorney of the Year](https://www.nwls.org/awards/gary-v-skiba-esq-2016-pro-bono-attorney-of-the-year): The Erie County Bar Association and Northwestern Legal Services are pleased to honor Attorney Gary Skiba as this year's Pro Bono Attorney of the Year for h... - [Awards: Adam Barnett](https://www.nwls.org/awards/adam-barnett-2015-pro-bono-attorney-of-the-Year): The Erie County Bar Association and Northwestern Legal Services are pleased to honor Attorney Adam Barnett as this year's Pro Bono Attorney of the Year for... - [Announcements: Announcements](https://www.nwls.org/announcements): Stay up-to-date with the latest announcements from Northwestern Legal Services. - [Announcements: Consider Donating to NWLS](https://www.nwls.org/announcements/consider-donating-to-nwls): Learn more about our recent accomplishments. - [Announcements: 50 Years of Service](https://www.nwls.org/announcements/50-years-of-service): NWLS celebrated 50 years of service in 2019! - [Announcements: News Concerning COVID-19](https://www.nwls.org/announcements/news-concerning-covid19): NWLS provides law related information surrounding COVID-19 - [Announcements: NWLS Receives Housing Assistance Grant](https://www.nwls.org/announcements/nwls-receives-housing-assistance-grant): Thanks to new grant funding, NWLS will soon provide extended services and representation to tenants with landlord or eviction issues. - [Announcements: We Are Moving!](https://www.nwls.org/announcements/we-are-moving): Northwestern Legal Services will be relocating its main Erie office to the Griswold Plaza, effective Wednesday, March 19.