Legal problems can be difficult to handle, especially when hiring a lawyer is too expensive. Oregon has several legal aid programs that provide free or low-cost help to people who qualify.
These organizations can help with problems involving housing, employment, public benefits, family law, consumer issues, criminal records, and other legal matters. The right program often depends on your income, where you live, and the kind of help you need.
What is Legal Aid?
Legal aid helps people who cannot afford a private attorney get help with civil legal problems. They provide free or reduced-cost legal services to people who meet certain requirements. These programs often focus on civil legal problems, including housing, public benefits, employment, family safety, debt, and other issues. Unlike criminal cases, where a person may have the right to a court-appointed attorney, people generally do not have the same right to a lawyer in civil cases. Legal aid organizations help fill that gap.
Who Can Qualify for Legal Aid?
Income is one of the main factors used by many Oregon legal aid programs to decide if someone qualifies. Legal Aid Services of Oregon and Oregon Law Center generally focus on people with household incomes at or below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines, although some programs can help people with higher incomes depending on funding and circumstances.
Other programs use different requirements or focus on certain groups, legal problems, or parts of the state. Because the rules vary, it can still be worth contacting a program even if you are not sure you qualify.
For 2026, 125% of the federal poverty guidelines is about $19,950 per year for one person or $41,250 for a family of four.
Oregon Legal Aid Programs
Statewide Legal Aid Programs
Several Oregon organizations provide legal help statewide or through offices and programs that serve large parts of the state.
Legal Aid Services of Oregon (LASO) provides free civil legal help to low-income people throughout many parts of Oregon. Its offices help with issues such as housing, employment, public benefits, domestic violence, consumer problems, and other civil legal matters. Most services are intended for people around or below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines, although requirements vary by program. The best place to start is with the LASO office serving your county.
Oregon Law Center (OLC) provides free civil legal services throughout many parts of Oregon. OLC helps with housing, employment, public benefits, family safety, civil rights, consumer issues, and other legal problems. Like LASO, it primarily serves people with lower incomes, often around or below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines, but eligibility depends on the program and type of case. Your local OLC office can tell you what services are available where you live.
CLEAR Clinic provides free legal services to people throughout Oregon. Its services include criminal-record relief, housing and eviction issues, immigration services, and name and gender-marker changes. Eligibility depends on the type of service, and some programs do not have a published income requirement. People can apply through CLEAR or attend certain in-person clinics.
De Muniz Legal Clinic provides legal help statewide for people who have been affected by arrests or convictions. Its services can include criminal-record issues, pardons, housing, debt, family matters, and other legal barriers. Eligibility depends on the type of help needed, and people should contact the clinic directly to learn whether their situation qualifies.
Regional Legal Aid Programs
These legal aid organizations focus on a specific county or region:
Center for NonProfit Legal Services (CNPLS) primarily serves people in Jackson County. It provides civil legal help involving housing, family law, public benefits, employment, immigration, consumer issues, and other matters. General services are primarily available to Jackson County residents around or below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines, with some additional services available to people age 60 and older.
Metropolitan Public Defender (MPD) provides court-appointed criminal defense in Multnomah and Washington counties, but its Community Law Division also provides certain civil legal services connected to involvement with the justice system. Programs may have their own financial and geographic requirements, so people looking for civil legal help should ask specifically about the Community Law Division.
Clean Slate Clackamas provides free legal assistance through clinics based in Clackamas County. Its services can include help with criminal and eviction records, court fee waivers, and related legal issues. Eligibility and geographic availability can depend on the specific clinic being offered.
Columbia River Gorge Criminal Records Expungement Clinic, in collaboration with CLEAR Clinic, provides free legal help primarily for people in the Columbia River Gorge and surrounding areas. The clinic can help people understand Oregon criminal records and possible legal options. They hold in-person clinics in Hood River and The Dalles.
Veteran and Youth Legal Help
Some legal programs are designed specifically for veterans or young people.
Veterans legal programs are available through organizations including Oregon Law Center and Metropolitan Public Defender. Depending on the program, eligible veterans may be able to get help with housing, public benefits, debt, criminal-record issues, and other legal barriers. Requirements vary, so veterans should contact the individual program to confirm eligibility.
Youth, Rights & Justice (YRJ) provides legal help focused on children, young people, and families. Its statewide Expunction Clinic can help people with juvenile records understand their options and get help with the legal process.
What If You Do Not Qualify for Traditional Legal Aid?
People who earn too much for traditional legal aid may still have lower-cost options.
Oregon Free Legal Answers allows qualifying Oregonians to ask civil legal questions online and receive answers from volunteer attorneys. The program can serve people with household incomes up to 250% of the federal poverty guidelines, so it may be an option for people who do not qualify for traditional legal aid.
Oregon State Bar’s Modest Means Program helps connect people who earn too much for legal aid but cannot afford standard attorney rates with lawyers who charge reduced fees for certain types of cases. Eligibility depends on income, assets, the type of legal problem, location, and attorney availability.
Not Sure Where to Start?
Oregon Law Help is a statewide resource that can help you find free or low-cost legal services based on where you live and what kind of legal problem you have. It includes information about statewide programs, regional organizations, specialized clinics, and other legal resources.
If you are unsure which organization serves your area or whether you meet a program’s requirements, Oregon Law Help can be a simple place to start.
Looking for Help With Your Oregon Criminal Record?
If your main concern is a criminal record, you can also use Rasa’s online tool to check your Oregon record and see whether any records may qualify to be cleared.
The eligibility check is free and can help you understand what options may be available. If your record qualifies and you want legal help, you can also choose to hire Rasa to handle the record-clearance process for you.
Legal aid programs may be an option depending on your income, location, and circumstances. The important thing is finding the type of help that fits your situation.