Bay Area Legal Services is a regional, nonprofit public interest law firm providing the highest quality legal counsel by Assisting individuals and nonprofit groups with limited access to legal services;

Resolving the legal problems of our clients; and

Preserving the independence, hope, and dignity of those we serve.

Since1967Preserving Independence, Hope, and Dignity

813.232.13431.800.625.22571.800.955.8771/ TTY

BALS is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. We receive funding from a variety of sources, including:• Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas• Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC (Legal Information

Center)• Carlton Fields Jorden Burt (Legal Information Center)• Children’s Board of Hillsborough County• Community Foundation of Tampa Bay• Florida Office of the Attorney General • Florida Bar Foundation• Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence• Florida Department of Elder Affairs• Hillsborough County Bar Foundation• Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners• Hillsborough County Clerk of the Court• Holland & Knight (Legal Information Center)• Internal Revenue Service• Legal Services Corporation• Pasco County Board of County Commissioners• Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners• Senior Connection Center• Society of St. Vincent de Paul South Pinellas through

a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

• Tampa Crossroads through a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

• TECO Energy (Legal Information Center)• The Children’s Home• The Spring of Tampa Bay• United Way of Pasco County• United Way Suncoast• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development• U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against

Women

Since1967Preserving Independence, Hope, and Dignityw w w . b a l s . o r g

On average, BALS assists over 20,000 individuals and families annually. With your help, we can serve even more!

Donate: Visit www.bals.org to donate.Volunteer: Join our Bay Area Volunteer Lawyers Program to contribute pro bono assistance. Become a Sustaining Law Firm (SLF): Donate $350 per attorney at your firm. Benefits include an ad in Lawyer Magazine, promotion on our website and free use of BALS’ SLF badge.Join our Corporate Giving Circle: Make your donation count by creating a mutually beneficial partnership, and maximize your impact on our community.Join the Pearl Society: Join an informed giving circle of women united in their support of BALS.The Pearl Society organizes public events and private social and enrichment events.

How Can I Help?

Photography Donated By: www.ThompsonBrandImages.com

BALS provides civil legal services to eligible residents of five Florida counties: Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, and Sarasota.

Who is eligible for our free legal services?• Low-income residents of Hillsborough,

Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, and Sarasota counties;

• Domestic violence victims throughout our service area, regardless of income

• Seniors (age 60 and over) who live in Hillsborough and Pasco Counties, regardless of income;

• Seniors (age 60 and older) living in other Florida counties through the Florida Senior Legal Helpline;

• Nonprofit and community groups that serve low-income individuals or distressed communities;

• Other clients who qualify under special programs.

What types of legal matters do we handle?We provide services for many civil legal problems, including family law, housing, consumer, employment, and public benefits. We do not help with criminal or traffic matters.

Do you have to pay for our services?No. If you do not meet our eligibility requirements we cannot represent you, even if you offer to pay. If you do qualify, you will not be charged for legal services. However, you may have to pay filing fees or other case-related expenses.

How do you apply for our help?Residents of our five-county service area may call their local legal services office. Hillsborough County residents call 813.232.1343; all others may call 1.800.625.2257. We provide free interpreters for applicants and clients. Disabled applicants can request a reasonable, free accommodation/auxiliary aid by contacting our ADA Coordinator at 813.232.1222 x119 (Hillsborough) or 800.625.2257 x119 (all other counties).

Can you apply online?No. We do not offer online applications, except for eligible nonprofits and community groups.

Can you apply in person?Generally, no. If you do apply in person at one of our branch offices, we will provide you with a telephone to use to speak with a telephone screener.

Toll free: 1.800.625.2257 www.bals.org

Fairness

HopeJustice

What can you expect when you call to apply?You will talk with a telephone screener, who will ask you a few questions to determine whether you qualify. If you do, you will likely be scheduled a telephone appointment with one of our attorneys or paralegals. If you do not, our screeners will offer information about other options in your community.

Do you provide legal representation in addition to telephone advice and brief services?

The type of help we can provide depends on your legal problem and the level of support available in our service area. You may be offered extended legal services in your community (including filing or defending lawsuits, domestic violence advocacy, or preparing pleadings or documents) from our attorneys or paralegals, or from legal advocates and volunteer lawyers working with the Bay Area Volunteer Lawyers Program, Bay Area Volunteer Lawyers Program-NW, or one of our pro bono partner programs:

• Community Law Program• Legal Aid of Manasota813.232.1343 1.800.955.8771/ TTY