Chicago Volunteer Legal Services offers a team of volunteer legal assistants that provide legal services free of cost to low-income individuals.

A free walk-in help desk providing brief consultations and help filling out paperwork for people who have filed or are considering filing chapter 7 or chapter 13 bankruptcies that do not currently have an attorney.The Bankruptcy Help Desk is currenty providing assistance over the phone rather than in-person.

CareConnect USA Project's Free Bankruptcy Advice Helpline assists families who are suffering under the burden of debt. They can speak with a real attorney at no charge, to determine if bankruptcy would allow them a fresh start. Also, those falling behind on mortgage payments may discuss how a Chapter 13 bankruptcy can stop foreclosure and save the family home. If the caller should hire or work with an attorney to file for bankruptcy, filing fees are set by the state of Illinois.

Credit counselors, housing counselors, and bankruptcy educators meet with clients to offer personalized advice on steps to improve financial situation. Services include: - Debt and credit counseling. - Debt management programs. - Reverse mortgage counseling. - Pre- and post-bankruptcy counseling and education. - Pre- and post-home buying and rental counseling. - Mortgage default and foreclosure counseling. - Rental counseling. - Educational workshops. - Military Reconnect. - Disaster Recovery Counseling. - Student Loan Counseling.

A nonprofit agency approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as an intermediary housing counseling organization that offers: - Personal financial education and assistance in credit counseling. - Debt and money management. - Nonprofit debt consolidation. - Housing counseling including foreclosure prevention. - Rental eviction prevention. - Reverse mortgage. - First time homebuyer and pre-purchase counseling. - Bankruptcy counseling services. - Educational programs and materials. - Financial workshops held virtually and distance education courses. - Provides guidance about any of the federal student debt repayment options. - Certified Credit Counselors will review personal finances, such as income, expenses, and debts.

Families suffering under the burden of debt can speak with a real attorney to determine if bankruptcy would allow them a fresh start. Those falling behind on mortgage payments may discuss how a chapter 13 bankruptcy can stop foreclosure and save the family home.

Ascend Justice offers free help with legal problems commonly experienced by survivors, such as: need reasonable accommodations at work, break their leases or change their locks, screening and referrals for bankruptcy along with crime victims' compensation.

Provides workshops to repay unsecured debt at lower interest and fees. Counselors provides clients with a program suited to their ability to pay and provides an estimate of the time to complete the program. Also offers: - Assistance with housing issues - Debt - Bankruptcy - Student loans. Note: Program in currently looking for a new location. Address listed is main agency. Contact for help and more details.

Helps low-income residents who cannot afford an attorney file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

Offers pre-filing bankruptcy counseling to prepare clients needing to file. Also offers 2-hour education workshops to ensure clients will not repeat bankruptcy.

Offers legal representation in areas of civil law to low-income individuals and seniors. Legal matters include: Public Benefits: - Loss or denial of SSI, TANF, Veterans Benefits, SNAP (food stamps) Family Law: - Abuse or exploitation for persons facing domestic violence, elderly, children, and individuals with disabilities. - Divorce and related relief for persons facing domestic violence Housing Law: - Evictions and lock-outs - Foreclosure defense - Loss or denial of subsidized housing benefits - Loss or denial of essential public utilities - Substandard housing conditions cases that cannot be addressed by other agencies Health Care: - Loss or denial of medical or nursing home care - Loss or denial of medical benefits (Medicaid, Medicare) - Guardianships and Powers of Attorney Other income benefits where alternative representation is unavailable: - Loss or denial of unemployment insurance - Social Security Disability benefits Tax Law: - Disputes or audits with the IRS - Appeals and cases in court - Protection from Collection - Innocent Spouse Relief - Tax-related Identity Theft - State tax issues (if a related federal tax issue) Eligible callers seeking counseling will receive immediate advice or a referral Note: Due to limited resources, not everyone can receive assistance. Visit the Additional Resources page on the website for additional information. For information regarding the agency's service area and office locations, please visit: https://pslegal.org/our-offices