MLAC Overview Fact Sheet
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Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation is the largest funder of civil legal aid in the Commonwealth.
MLAC BASICS
Background
MLAC was established by the Legislature in 1983 to ensure that residents with low incomes facing critical, civil (non-criminal) legal problems would have access to legal information, advice, and representation.
Mission
MLAC’s mission is to provide leadership and support to improve civil legal services to people with low incomes in Massachusetts through collaboration with the legal services community, the public, the bar, and the legislature.
Funding
MLAC receives funding from a variety of sources, primarily the state budget. Other significant funds come from Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts (IOLTA), private foundations, and government grants. MLAC disburses its funding to qualified civil legal aid organizations across the Commonwealth.
Support
In addition to funding, MLAC supports legal aid organizations with communications; data and research; diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives; information technology; and program monitoring and evaluation. MLAC also partners with legal aid organizations, bar associations, the Equal Justice Coalition, and the Access to Justice Commission to activate a network of pro bono lawyers and publish self-help materials.
LEGAL AID IN FY25
- 98,916 people benefited from civil legal aid in Massachusetts
- $113.5 million in estimated economic benefits delivered to the Commonwealth and residents
- Residents in 94% of cities and towns in Massachusetts were assisted by civil legal aid
ABOUT CIVIL LEGAL AID
Civil legal aid organizations provide free information, advice, and representation to people who otherwise would not receive help with serious civil legal issues related to housing, healthcare, immigration, employment, education, family law and domestic violence, disability, consumer problems, and elder issues. Households with incomes at or below 125% of the federal poverty line ($41,250 annually for a family of four or $19,950 for an individual in 2026) qualify to receive civil legal services. The percentage of Massachusetts residents living in what is defined as “extreme poverty” (incomes below 50% of the federal poverty line; $16,500 annually for a family of four or $7,980 for an individual in 2026) is increasing. According to the latest census data, nearly 336,000 people in our state live in extreme poverty that’s 39% of the population already eligible for civil legal aid.
Although the U.S. and Massachusetts Constitutions guarantee criminal defendants a right to counsel, in most civil cases, people do not have that right. The consequences of these cases can be severe: people can lose their homes, health, safety, family, and financial stability without ever having spoken to a lawyer. Civil legal aid works to ensure that all residents of Massachusetts have equal access to justice.
MLAC uses state-appropriated funds to support regional and statewide legal aid organizations, as well as special projects
In addition to these regional organizations, MLAC provides funding to 10 statewide legal aid organizations, which specialize in specific issues, populations, or types of law. MLAC also provides general support funding through the Disability Benefits Project, Domestic Violence Legal Assistance Project, and Medicare Advocacy Project.
$72,589,416 – Total grants distributed by MLAC in FY25
$51 million – Amount of MLAC appropriation in the FY26 state budget
“Civil legal aid gave my son, Dante, and I a voice and the support we needed to get my son back into school. After two long years at home without access to the special education services he requires, our amazing civil legal aid attorneys fought for my son and turned our fears and disappointment into hope.” – Jennifer Fowler, civil legal aid client and featured speaker at the Equal Justice Coalition’s 2026 “Walk to the Hill” lobby day
Legal aid advocates help people of all ages address vital civil legal issues, such as:
- Housing
- Immigration
- Employment
- Family law and domestic violence
- Health care
- Education
- Income maintenance