The Older Virginians Legal Assistance program provides access to legal advice, counseling, and representation to older adults in Virginia.
Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) contract with local attorneys, law centers, and other legal services providers, to provide services to older Virginians.
Priority is given to legal matters relating to:
- Public benefits and income issues
- Long-term care
- Housing
- Age discrimination
- Health care
- Nutrition
- Utilities
- Alternatives to guardianship
- Protective services
- Abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation
Who is eligible?
Any resident of Virginia who is 60 years of age and older or the caregiver of that person.
How much is the cost for legal assistance?
There is no cost for legal assistance with priority issues. Please note that priority is given to older adults with the greatest economic or social need.
Who do you contact for legal assistance?
To seek legal assistance please contact your local Area Agency on Aging.
Additional Resources
The Statewide Senior Legal Helpline is a toll-free, state-wide, legal information, advice and referral service for Virginians age 60 years and older. The helpline is administered by the Virginia Poverty Law Center. Call: 844-802-5910
Virginia Free Legal Answers is an American Bar Association initiative to provide online pro bono (free) civil legal assistance to any Virginia resident with income levels below 250% of the federal poverty guidelines (an income of just over $37,000 annually for a single adult). Visit: https://virginia.freelegalanswers.org/
Legal aid centers provide legal assistance to people who cannot afford private legal counsel. They offer free or low-cost legal help (based on income) in civil matters such as family law, housing disputes, and public benefits. To find your local legal aid center, call: 866-534-5243 or visit: https://www.vplc.org/get-legal-help/
The Virginia Lawyer Referral Service (VLRS), a Virginia Bar Association initiative, will schedule an initial meeting with an attorney on many legal matters for a $35 fee. VLRS also refers individuals, when appropriate, at no charge to other government and social service organizations when a private attorney is not required. Call: 800-552-7977 or visit: https://www.vsb.org/Site/legal-help/vlrs.aspx
The disAbility Law Center of Virginia, advocates for and protects the legal rights of persons with disabilities at no charge. They help clients with disability-related problems like abuse, neglect, and discrimination. Call: 1-800-552-3962 or visit: https://www.dlcv.org/get-help
The Virginia State Bar maintains a list of more than a dozen other free or low-cost legal service providers in Virginia, many with very specific geographic and issue focuses such as legal assistance for individuals with cancer, HIV/AIDS on legal, and tax, and housing matters. Visit: https://virginia.freelegalanswers.org/OtherHelp
Learn more about the Division for Aging Services.