A Quick Guide to RI Legal Services
As their name suggests, RI Legal Services assists residents of Rhode Island with a number of different legal issues. Their mission is to "provide quality legal representation to low-income clients in civil legal matters and to advocate for changes in policies and programs to achieve equal justice."
RI Legal Services focuses on helping residents who fall into certain income brackets. Specifically, to be considered an official applicant, you cannot earn more than 200% of the federal poverty level. At this time, 200% of the poverty level in Rhode Island for one person is $23,760. If you have additional household members, the amount you can earn increases, but the threshold is still very low . The services RI Legal Services provides range across the board from family law issues, including divorce, custody and child support matters, landlord and tenant issues, public housing eligibility, domestic violence, elder law and consumer cases. Above all else, the organization makes it very clear that its services do not cover criminal matters. If you’re facing a criminal case, you’ll need to look elsewhere for assistance. RI Legal Services also emphasizes that while there are restrictions on the services available to applicants, they do accept appeals of denied applications. As such, if you are denied assistance from RI Legal Services, but feel that you have a good reason to appeal, you should reach out to the organization for additional guidance.
How to Reach RI Legal Services
You can reach Legal Services directly by phone or text at (401) 274-2652 for all Rhode Island residents, and for a variety of client-based services. The current legal services phone menu options are:
Menu Options
Press Option 1: To Find Out if You Qualify for Free Legal Services and to Request Services via Text, Email and Live Chat
Press Option 2: To Hear Options Available to All Rhode Island Residents
Press Option 3: For Current Legal Aid Clients
Press Option 4: To Hear Information About Wills and Probate
Press Option 5: Public Housing Advocates
Press Option 6: RI Fair Housing Advocate
Press Option 7: You Have a Legal Problem in Another State
Press Option 8: To Hear Other Legal Issues
Press Option 9: For Legal Information for Seniors
Press 0: To Speak with Someone at Legal Services
You can also send a message specific to your needs or request to be contacted by phone or text through the use of this public email form.
To visit a Legal Services office in person, you may do so at the following locations in Rhode Island:
Legal Services is a non-profit legal aid office that is dedicated to providing free or low-cost legal assistance to the needy residents of Rhode Island. By calling in, or sending them a message from their website main page, you’ll quickly be directed to the exact legal services and resources you need.
Reasons to Contact RI Legal Services
In Rhode Island, as in most other states, people with incomes below certain guidelines can seek legal assistance from RI Legal Services. They help low-income Rhode Islanders find social and health resources they need, learn about the law and their rights, and when necessary, obtain legal counsel.
Several of our family law clients reside in Rhode Island and regularly use RI Legal Services. That’s because their mission statement lists housing, public benefits, and family as the top three areas of law they serve. Many of our clients require help pursuing alimony, child support, a divorce, or a PFA.
In our experience working with Rhode Islanders, we find that the most common legal issues for low-income Rhode Islanders are:
Although money is often cited as the reason for not hiring a lawyer, all of our clients who’ve sought assistance from RI Legal Services have come away saying they had helped them tremendously.
Finding the Correct Phone Number
Locating the right contact number for RI Legal Services is essential for communicating with this organization. To find the proper number, visit their website at www.rilsg.org. Once there, click on the "Contact" tab located on their homepage . This will bring up their phone number, and the specific division you want to contact.
It’s also recommended that you check your local phone directory for RI Legal Services contact information. They may have a different number listed in that publication.
What Happens When You Call
When you call RI Legal Services, you will be worked into the incoming call rotation by the receptionist who answers. During peak business hours, especially early in the month, the wait time can be significant and you may hear music playing while you wait. This music may be jarring to some callers, and we understand. Please appreciate that RI Legal Services cannot play hold music that is soothing to the ear of all callers because our queue has been created to provide privacy to your call. We know that you may experience more anxiety listening to that music than if you were waiting in silence. Please remember that RI Legal Services staff are waiting patiently to take your call as well. We ask that you refrain from yelling profanities into the phone. They will politely ask you for an opportunity to assist you as soon as the next available staff person can take your call. The music will stop as soon as you have a live body on the line. Once connected with a live person, you will be asked to spell your last name, and basic contact information such as phone number and address. You will be asked to provide information about your household and a brief description about the issue that requires immediate legal advice. If you are in crisis, examples include a housing eviction, or a protective order hearing within the next week, your call will be prioritized very highly. If your income is over the threshold requirement for free services, you will be provided with a referral to private attorneys and you will not be provided with specific legal advice. You will be asked to prepare by gathering any and all documents in advance of your call so that the attorney can assist you immediately. If your matter is one that requires more than one brief representation, for example domestic abuse divorce filing, your options will be explained to you and referral sources will be given at the conclusion of the call. There are exceptions to the above as there are many programs that operate within RI Legal Services’ structure.
Other Options for Contact
For those who may not be able to get in touch with RI Legal Services through the telephone, there are alternatives readily available. Online, you can submit an inquiry and receive a prompt response, as well as online chat options for a live attorney . If a walk-in visit is more convenient for you and your family, the office location will be happy to assist with your legal needs on a walk-in basis, however a morning appointment is recommended to minimize wait times.