Legal Assistance

The Virginia Poverty Law Center (VPLC) is committed to leading and coordinating efforts to seek justice in civil legal matters for lower-income Virginians. VPLC is staffed by a team of attorneys specializing in the following areas of the law: housing, elder law, domestic and sexual violence law, consumer and predatory lending, law, health and public benefits law, and family law. Additionally, VPLC supervises Navigators throughout Virginia under the Affordable Care Act. These Navigators assist Virginians in applying for healthcare and healthcare subsidies.

VPLC is the only statewide organization providing training to local Legal Aid program staff, private bar attorneys, and low-income clients, relating exclusively to the civil legal rights of Virginia’s poor. VPLC also ensures lower-income Virginians have a voice in the Virginia General Assembly, advocating for bills that would benefit low-income residents of the commonwealth and fighting those that would be a step backward.

VPLC administers two legal help lines:

• The Senior Legal HelpLine is open to Virginians over the age of 60 (or those calling on their behalf) for advice about Long Term Care; Medicaid, SSI and other public benefits; guardianship and alternatives to guardianship; abuse, neglect and exploitation; assisted living facilities; and consumer matters. The toll-free number is (844) 802-5910.
  
   
• The Predatory Loan HOTLINE is available to Virginians with various types of unaffordable loans, including car title loans, internet loans, and payday loans. The toll-free number is (866) 830-4501.

Because VPLC is a statewide support organization for local legal aid programs throughout Virginia, the attorneys do not generally handle individual cases. For assistance with issues where representation may be necessary, call 1-866-534-5243 to be connected to your local legal aid office.