Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy

Family Support and Health Care ProgramThis program made a significant impact on the lives of individuals and families experiencing low income or income instability. The program served 1,447 clients with a variety of benefits issues including obtaining or preserving Social Security benefits, accessing Medicaid and other health insurance programs, accessing health care services, and obtaining or preserving Food and Nutrition benefits. The total outcomes obtained were valued at $11,049,756.39 in benefits.The program's Veterans Unit served 100 veterans in obtaining discharge upgrades and/or veterans' benefits. The total outcomes obtained were valued at $2,220,567.60. The organization as a whole served an additional 271 veterans with various civil legal matters.The program's Health Insurance Navigator Unit held 2,143 appointments and enrolled 925 individuals into either an ACA Marketplace plan or Medicaid coverage. "

Consumer Protection and Veterans ProgramDuring FY 2023 this program made a significant difference in the lives of low-income people with consumer protection, home preservation, housing and employment access, and re-entry issues. The program offered legal advice and extended representation to over 220 families with housing issues, debt collection issues, unfair trade practices, scam prevention, property tax delinquency and property tax exemption issues. Additionally, 47 additional families were assisted with community outreach and education in these areas. The Programs Community Empowerment Project offered legal advice and extended representation to 79 clients to expunge criminal records, helped 16 clients with legal advice and representation regarding drivers license restoration, and 89 clients through outreach and education programs. The CEP project is exploring expanding opportunities with the Courthouse and our pro bono program to provide more expunction services to the community. Our Advocacy efforts include working with local and statewide partners on behalf of low-income consumers.

Immigrant Justice ProgramDuring FY2023, our program made a significant difference in the lives of low-income clients, specifically immigrants. We currently have 936 open cases. Our program also assisted 73 domestic violence victims. Our program also provided advice and extended representation to immigrants both in office and through the Pro Bono office located in the Charlotte Immigration Court. With the assistance of volunteers from UNC and Duke Law School, the program screened and prepared asylum applications for the Asylum Clinic project in FY2023.