Blue Ridge Legal Services Inc: Understanding Who They Are and How They Can Help

Blue Ridge Legal Services: An Introduction

The mission and vision of Blue Ridge Legal Services Inc is to be one of the premier private anti poverty legal services programs in the United States. With this goal at the forefront, they provide an array of high quality legal assistance in civil matters to the low income residents of nine counties and the cities of Staunton and Waynesboro, Virginia. For those who qualify, a staff of lawyers and paralegals will assist with cases, whether they involve housing with eviction claims, loss and/or restoration of benefits, employment, consumer disputes, special education advocacy, family law issues, or immigration matters. To further this mission, it has been granted J.E . Jamison Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Account ("IOLTA") funds for services to Virginia’s low income and vulnerable individuals. It also engages in cooperative and collaborative relationships with other non profit entities, including the Virginia Legal Aid Society and the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank. Offering a full assortment of civil legal services, including pro bono extended network services, Blue Ridge Legal Services is largely funded by IOLTA grants and certain client fees. Determining financial eligibility for services requires reviewing income, assets, and number of dependents, and income is based on gross earnings, social security benefits, pension and trust funds, and unemployment.

Services Available Through Blue Ridge Legal Services

Blue Ridge Legal Services is a nonprofit legal aid organization serving the Shenandoah and Upper Valley communities in Virginia. The organization provides free civil legal assistance to eligible community members, with lawyers dedicated to upholding the integrity of the justice system as well as the rights of those who are less likely to be represented in the legal system. Client representation is provided throughout the eight districts of the Blue Ridge Legal Services coverage area. This area consists of the counties of Clarke, Frederick, Page, Shenandoah and Warren, in addition to the city of Winchester and the town of Woodstock.
One of Blue Ridge Legal Services primary areas of focus is family law, including divorce, custody and visitation. Lawyers advise and represent clients in a wide variety of family law issues, ranging from separation, divorce and asset distribution to domestic violence, custody modification and adoption or conservatorship. Household abuse services include protective orders as well as assistance obtaining breaking and entering injunctions, trespass injunctions, and restitution and compensation in specific cases of domestic violence. Client representation and attorney advice in other housing issues such as fair housing and real estate concerns is also provided. Housing legal services include landlord-tenant disputes, eviction actions and housing code violations.
Consumer rights services include consumer fraud and collection defense legal assistance. This includes garnishment prevention, unlawful repossession and utility disconnection prevention, and Junk and Abandoned Vehicle Removal assistance. Additional legal services in personal bankruptcy are offered to help clients obtain reinstatement of mortgages and utilities.
Lawyers working with Blue Ridge Legal Services enforce disability benefits and represent clients in court appeals for wrongful termination and discrimination. Other legal services offered are handbooks and literature about social security benefits, public assistance benefits, health care, education, access to legal systems and managing money.

Who Is Eligible to Receive Legal Aid?

To determine if you are eligible for the legal assistance of Blue Ridge Legal Services Inc., you will first be asked about your household income. The current Federal poverty guidelines are used to this end. In cases involving domestic violence, the current income threshold is 200% of the federal poverty guideline. Applications for legal assistance are directed to particular cases, which means that eligibility will be determined by the specific issue for which you are seeking help. For example, the criteria for family law cases differs from that of landlord/tenant legal issues. These guidelines are applied impartially and there are no exceptions made for any individual or circumstance. Other factors that may affect eligibility are:
If your case is based upon a contingency fee basis, such as personal injury, legal services will not be available for you.
For those applications that are approved, representation will be carried out by the local office of the organization in your county. The need for financial support will also determine the level of assistance that can be provided.

How Can I Get Legal Aid?

Eligibility for legal aid assistance can vary based upon the services your local legal aid organization provides. If you are in need of legal assistance from Blue Ridge Legal Services Inc., you can check eligibility requirements on the Virginia Legal Aid Web site. They provide a quick and easy way to determine if you could qualify for legal aid. This page will help you to identify how to apply for legal aid in your area.
The applications for legal aid, as well as qualification requirements, vary by organization and state. The application methods include online forms, over the phone or in-person at a designated location. In general, you will need to provide documentation, including an application form, additional forms narrating your specific circumstance, income and asset requirements.

Stories of Success and Impact

The difference and the impact that Blue Ridge Legal Services Inc has made throughout the community can be seen through the impressive number of clients it has assisted and the valuable services it continues to provide. Having grown tremendously since its establishment in 1975, Blue Ridge Legal Services Inc is now a highly respected and sought after firm for those experiencing financial difficulty. The testimonials from satisfied clients demonstrate the value of this practice to the lives of those who require sound legal advice backed by significant professional experience in the field.
Some notable cases have been highlighted on the Blue Ridge Legal Services Inc website, including those outlined below.
One case involved a woman who was self-employed and had significant student loans. She feared that she would have to stop paying her mortgage and go into foreclosure in order to keep up with her mortgage payments. She was highly concerned that her credit rating would suffer if she couldn’t meet her commitments.
This client was relieved to learn that Chapter 13 bankruptcy law could be used to save her home while attempting to resolve her student loan obligations. Through the intention to reorganize her finances , she was able to consolidate her student loans and both her first and second mortgages into one monthly payment that was manageable and affordable.
The next case study highlighted on the website of Blue Ridge Legal Services Inc confirms how the practice has been able to help those who own their homes but are struggling to keep their property as a result of a second loan or debt against the property. In this case, the debt of the vacation property would not be reduced or eliminated through Chapter 7 bankruptcy, but Chapter 13 bankruptcy law was the perfect path to allow the clients to maintain their home and restructure their other debt.
Case studies and successes such as these highlight the value provided by the firm. They have helped many people gain a fresh start when it comes to their financial commitments, and they continue to provide this service years after inception. For those who have fallen on hard times, Blue Ridge Legal Services Inc continues to be a trusted source of invaluable advice that is readily available.

Common Inquiries About Blue Ridge Legal Services

Is Blue Ridge Legal Services Inc free? No, Blue Ridge Legal Services Inc offer low-cost legal services. Clients are charged based on their income and what is affordable for them.
How do I apply for legal aid at Blue Ridge Legal Services Inc? 1. Fill out the online eligibility form at Blue Ridge Legal Services Inc official website 2. Call the customer service hotline and ask for an application form
What is the income limit for legal aid? There’s no set income limit for legal aid but you must be earning a low income and have limited assets.
Who qualifies for legal aid? Anyone with a low income who does not have any substantial assets.
Is Blue Ridge Legal Services Inc free? No, they charge a low fee.

Contact Details, Locations, and More

Potential clients can reach out to Blue Ridge Legal Services Inc through various channels for assistance. Those in Virginia can visit their office at the following location: 2171 West Main St. Suite B-B; 2nd Floor, in Salem, VA 24153. Their main phone number is (540) 204-4550. Those who require federal legal aid can stop by their office located at 138 N Center Dr in Wytheville, VA 24382. Their phone number for this federal organization is (276) 326-7196.
If you’re residing in West Virginia and are in need of administrative justice, you may contact the organization at their office located at 1284 N Main St in Harrisonburg, VA 22802 . Their phone number for this state organization is (304) 345-8113.
Hours of operation vary per location. For Salem, VA, the offices are open on Mondays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and during Fridays they are open from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m..
For Wytheville, VA, the office is open on Mondays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Fridays.
For Harrisonburg, VA, the office is open Mondays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Fridays.