FY27 House Budget Briefing

On Thursday, April 2, 2026, MLAC attended a Massachusetts House budget briefing about funding civil legal aid in the Commonwealth. Hosted by House Judiciary Chair Michael Day and Representative Simon Cataldo, the session brought together lawmakers and legislative staff to focus on MLAC’s FY27 budget request and the significant need for civil legal assistance among low-income Massachusetts residents.

Following remarks by Chair Day and Rep. Cataldo, MLAC Executive Director Lynne M. Parker provided some statistics to highlight the difficulties faced by the populations served by civil legal aid. In Massachusetts, individuals earning up to 125% of the federal poverty level—$19,950 annually for an individual or $41,250 for a family of four in 2026—qualify for assistance. For these residents, access to legal help can mean the difference between stable housing and homelessness, financial security and crisis, or safety and vulnerability.

Next, Faye Rachlin, Deputy Director of Community Legal Aid, shared a firsthand look at the legal challenges facing vulnerable individuals and families across the state. She told stories from recent clients at CLA who received life-changing legal assistance with housing issues, education rights, family law matters, and more. From housing instability and eviction to unemployment insurance disputes, family law matters, elder law concerns, special education needs, and consumer protection issues, the demand for civil legal aid continues to rise.

At the center of the discussion was MLAC’s request to increase funding for the Civil Legal Aid line item (0321-1600) by $2 million—bringing total funding from $51 million to $53 million in FY27. This investment is critical to ensuring that civil legal aid organizations can meet the needs of a growing number of eligible clients and maintain essential services statewide.

MLAC is grateful to all who attended the event and for our dedicated supporters in the Massachusetts Legislature.

For more information about MLAC’s FY27 budget campaign, visit equaljusticecoalition.org