Free legal help to low-income Arkansans in civil cases.

Services that Center for Arkansas Legal Services provides:

    Housing and Rentals: Help with issues such as evictions, landlord-tenant disputes, and housing discrimination.
    Debt and Bankruptcy: Guidance on bankruptcy filings, credit counseling, and help with debt negotiations.
    End of Life Planning: Assistance with writing wills and trusts, powers of attorney, and advance directives.
    Disaster: Legal help for victims of natural disasters such as tornadoes, floods, and fires.
    Criminal Record Sealing: Representation for people seeking to seal or expunge their criminal records.
    Veterans: Help with veterans benefits, housing assistance, and legal issues related to service-related injuries.


To qualify for assistance from the Center for Arkansas Legal Services (CALS), you must meet the following eligibility criteria:

1. Income: Your household income must be at or below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines. As of 2023, the maximum income for a family of four is $35,575.

2. Residency: You must be a resident of Arkansas and reside in one of the counties CALS serves.

3. Limited Resources: You must have limited financial resources to afford legal representation. This means you must not have the means to hire a private attorney without significant hardship.

4. Need for Legal Help: You must have a legal problem that falls within CALS's areas of practice. This includes housing, evictions, debt, bankruptcy, end-of-life planning, disaster assistance, criminal record sealing, and veterans' benefits.

If you believe you meet these eligibility criteria, you can apply for assistance in the following ways:

1. Online Application: Fill out a comprehensive application form on CALS's website.

2. Phone Application: Call CALS's helpline at 501-376-3423 to speak with an intake specialist.

3. In-Person Appointment: Visit one of CALS's eight offices across Arkansas to schedule an appointment with an attorney.

4. Self-Help Forms: CALS provides a variety of self-help legal forms and resources on its website that you can use to address your legal issue without direct attorney representation.

CALS will review your application and determine if you qualify for their services. If you are eligible, CALS will provide you with a free consultation with an attorney to discuss your case and determine the best course of action.

Mission Statement: To improve the lives of low-income Arkansans by championing equal access to justice for all so that when an individual enters the civil legal system they get equal justice regardless of their economic or social circumstances.