“Economic hard times put added strain on low-income families, especially when they face serious civil legal matters, such as eviction, denial of veterans or disability benefits, child custody, and orders of protection. This is the wrong time to deny legal assistance to those in need,” said New York State Bar Association President Vincent E. Doyle. 

On Thursday, a subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee voted to provide $328 million in the 2013 fiscal year. That is 18 percent less than the $402 million recommended by President Barack Obama and approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee. The LSC’s current budget is $348 million.

The LSC provides grants to local providers of civil legal services across the nation, including $23 million for New York agencies during the current fiscal year, down $4 million (17 percent) from the previous year.