MLAC Thanks Governor Healey, Massachusetts Legislature for Supporting Civil Legal Aid in FY26 Budget

BOSTON, July 7, 2025– On July 4, Governor Maura Healey signed the Massachusetts FY26 Budget. The budget includes $51 million for civil legal aid through the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation’s (MLAC) line item 0321-1600. It also includes $2.5 million for the Access to Counsel program, line item 0321-1800. 

 

“I am sincerely grateful to Governor Healey and the Massachusetts Legislature for sustaining strong investments in civil legal aid in the state’s FY26 Budget,” says Lynne Parker, Executive Director of MLAC. “Civil legal aid is needed now more than ever to protect the lives, health, safety, and stability of Massachusetts residents with low incomes struggling to meet their basic needs.”  

  

Households with incomes at or below 125% of the federal poverty level ($40,187 per year for a family of four; $19,562 for an individual) qualify for civil legal aid. The latest census data show that more than 325,700 people in Massachusetts live in extreme poverty, defined as having incomes below 50% of the poverty line ($16,075 for a family of four; $7,825 for an individual). This group now represents 38% of the clients eligible for legal aid.  

 

The FY26 $2.5 million appropriation for Access to Counsel will enable legal aid organizations to continue to provide full representation in eviction cases. Access to Counsel serves low-income tenants and low-income owner-occupants facing eviction. “MLAC is excited to move forward with our partners to establish a permanent statewide Access to Counsel program in eviction cases,” says Parker. 

 

MLAC thanks the Massachusetts Legislature for its longstanding commitment to civil legal aid and appreciates the advocacy efforts of the Equal Justice Coalition and our allies in the private bar.