Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc. – Harrisburg, PA

The Backbone of Civil Legal Aid in Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc. (PLAN) is a cornerstone of justice in the Commonwealth, serving as the statewide, non-profit organization that coordinates and supports the delivery of free civil legal services to low-income individuals and victims of domestic violence. 🏛️ From our headquarters in Harrisburg, we don’t just advocate for access to justice; we actively build and sustain the infrastructure that makes it possible. Founded in 1973, PLAN provides essential funding, training, and technological support to a coordinated system of independent legal aid programs across all 67 counties. Our mission is to ensure that a lack of financial resources does not prevent any Pennsylvanian from having a voice in the legal system, especially when their most basic human needs—like a safe home, family stability, and personal safety—are at stake. We are the force that empowers the front-line advocates fighting for our most vulnerable neighbors. 🤝

Powering Justice: How We Support Critical Legal Services

PLAN, Inc. does not typically handle individual cases directly. Instead, our vital role is to secure resources and provide strategic leadership to the entire network of legal aid providers. This ensures that expert legal help is available to eligible Pennsylvanians for a wide range of critical civil issues.

Support for Divorce and Family Law Lawyers

We enable local programs to provide stability for families in crisis. This is one of the most critical areas of legal aid.

• Domestic Violence: A primary focus is securing funding for lawyers who help victims of domestic violence obtain Protection from Abuse (PFA) orders and navigate the family court system.
• Child Custody and Support: Our network attorneys handle complex custody and support cases to ensure the well-being of children.
• Divorce: We support programs that assist individuals in navigating the complexities of divorce, especially in abusive situations.

Advocacy in Housing and Consumer Rights

We empower attorneys who fight to keep people in their homes and protect them from unfair financial practices. These services are essential for preventing homelessness and poverty.

• 🏡 Housing Law: PLAN-supported lawyers represent tenants in eviction proceedings, assist homeowners facing foreclosure, and address habitability issues to ensure safe living conditions.
• Consumer Protection: Our network provides representation in cases of illegal debt collection, predatory lending, and other consumer scams.
• 💰 Bankruptcy and Debt Relief Lawyers: We support programs that offer counsel on bankruptcy and other forms of debt relief for those facing overwhelming financial hardship.

Ensuring Economic Stability

We fund legal services that are crucial for helping clients secure and maintain their income and essential public benefits.

• Public Benefits: Our network helps clients obtain or preserve vital benefits like unemployment compensation, Social Security disability (SSI/SSDI), and SNAP (food stamps).
• Employment and Labor Lawyers: We support legal work related to wrongful termination, wage and hour disputes, and clearing criminal records (expungement) to remove barriers to employment.