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Non-profit Legal Services

The information provided on this webpage is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Inclusion of any organization or resource does not imply endorsement, and the accuracy or completeness of the information is not guaranteed. Users should not rely on this webpage as a substitute for seeking legal advice from a qualified attorney. If you have questions about your specific situation or need legal assistance, you are encouraged to contact the listed organization or resource directly.

This information has been compiled by the Patrick J. Murphy Law and Government Fellowship team.

Jump to: Harrisburg-Area Legal Services | Other Pennsylvania Legal Resources


The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) funds independent non-profit organizations that provide free civil legal aid to low-income Americans, helping with critical issues like domestic violence, housing (evictions, foreclosures), family law (custody, support), government benefits, and consumer protection, serving vulnerable populations including seniors, veterans, and families in every congressional district. 

Who LSC-funded services help:

  • Low-income individuals and families (usually 125% or below federal poverty level)
  • Seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities
  • Survivors of domestic violence
  • Rural populations

Entities Funded by LSC:

  • Laurel Legal Services
  • Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania
  • MidPenn Legal Services
  • Neighborhood Legal Services Association
  • Northwestern Legal Services
  • North Penn Legal Services
  • Philadelphia Legal Assistance Center
  • Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services
Harrisburg-Area Legal Services


MidPenn Legal Services (Harrisburg) – Non-profit civil legal aid for low-income Central PA residents (including domestic violence and sexual assault survivors). MidPenn handles matters like housing (eviction, repairs), family law (custody, protection from abuse orders), public benefits, employment issues, and debt/consumer problems. Clients must meet income guidelines (roughly up to 125% of federal poverty level). 

  • Phone: 1-800-326-9177 (Admin: 717-234-0492)
  • Office: 100 N. Cameron St., Suite 401 West, Harrisburg, PA 17101

MidPenn Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) – Free tax law help for low-income and limited-English Pennsylvanians with IRS disputes. The LITC assists with audits, liens, levy issues, earned income credit appeals, “injured spouse” claims, and other federal tax matters. Income eligibility is tied to low-income limits.

  • Phone: 1-844-675-7829

Community Justice Project (CJP) – Non-profit civil rights law center serving low-income Pennsylvanians. CJP focuses on impact cases in areas like housing rights, employment and wage claims, language access, lead poisoning, public benefits, and discrimination. It provides free representation in class actions and individual civil rights cases.

  • Phone: 717-236-9486 or toll-free 800-322-7572
  • Harrisburg Office: 118 Locust St., Harrisburg, PA 17101

Disability Rights Pennsylvania (DRP) – Statewide protection and advocacy agency for people with disabilities. DRP provides free legal advice, advocacy and sometimes representation in education, employment, healthcare (e.g. Medicaid/Medicare), voting, institutional care, and other civil rights matters affecting individuals with disabilities. Eligibility: any Pennsylvanian with a disability (no income test).

  • Harrisburg Phone: Call 717-236-8110
  • Harrisburg Office: 301 Chestnut St., Suite 300. Harrisburg, PA 17101

Pennsylvania Health Law Project (PHLP) – Statewide legal aid focusing on healthcare access. PHLP helps low-income Pennsylvanians get or keep Medicaid, CHIP or other public health coverage, and appeals insurance denials. Services are free, and individuals need generally be Medicaid‐eligible or low-income.

Pennsylvania Institutional Law Project (PILP) – Legal advocacy for incarcerated and institutionalized people. PILP takes civil rights cases for prisoners, jail inmates, immigration detainees, state hospital or developmental center residents, and others in custody. Issues include medical care, safety, disability accommodations, and abuse/neglect. Eligibility: client must be in one of the covered facilities in PA and have income at or below 125% of federal poverty level. 

  • Central PA Phone: 570-661-9045
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Central PA Office: 115 Farley Circle, Lewisburg, PA 17837

Dauphin County Public Defender – Free criminal defense for indigent persons charged in Dauphin County courts. The Public Defender handles major and minor criminal cases (felonies, misdemeanors, juvenile offenses, and certain summary offenses) when a defendant cannot afford counsel. Eligibility is income-based (federal poverty level) and case-dependent.

  • Phone: 717-780-6370
  • Dauphin County Office: 2 S. 2nd St, Harrisburg, PA 17101, Room 230

Victim Witness Assistance (Dauphin Co.) – Support and advocacy for crime victims (and witnesses). This independent program helps victims navigate the criminal justice system, provides court accompaniment, and connects victims to services (counseling, protection from abuse clinics, restitution help, etc). Victim-Witness advocates explain rights and options at no cost.

  • Phone: 717-780-7075 (or 1-888-292-9611)
  • Main Office: 25 S. Front St., 7th Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17101

YWCA Domestic Violence Legal Center (PA) – 24/7 hotline and legal help for domestic violence survivors. Provides free legal advice/referrals (protection from abuse orders, custody/support, divorce, etc.). This is statewide; it assists Harrisburg-area domestic violence victims with information and referrals.

  • Phone: 1-800-654-1211 (toll-free, 24 hours)

Area Agency on Aging – Free civil legal services for seniors (age 60+) in Dauphin County. Covers elder abuse, age discrimination, guardianship defense, health care/Medicaid/Medicare, housing, long-term care, Nutrition/SSI/Medicare, and utilities.

  • Phone:  717-780-6130 or 1-800-328-0058 ext.6130
  • Dauphin County Office: 2 South Second Street, 3rd Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17101

Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) – State agency handling discrimination complaints. PHRC enforces anti-discrimination laws in employment, housing, education, and public accommodations. Victims can get guidance and file complaints (typically within 180 days of an incident).

  • Phone: 717-787-4410

PA Free Legal Answers – Online Q&A service for qualified low-income Pennsylvanians. Clients post civil-legal questions (family, housing, employment, etc.) and volunteer attorneys reply. This is a referral tool rather than representation. (See the site to register and submit a question; eligibility is below 200% federal poverty level.)

Dauphin County Bar Association Pro Bono Program (DCBA) – Referral service for eligible clients. Through the DCBA, MidPenn, and others refer low-income Harrisburg-area residents to volunteer lawyers for civil cases.

  • Phone: 717-232-7536 for screening and referral

Veterans – The Judge Advocate General’s Office at the Carlisle Barracks can provide legal guidance to active duty and retired military personnel and their dependents with respect to: will preparation, powers of attorney, notary service, advice on leases, contracts, and divorce. They do NOT provide legal representation in civilian court, but they can assist in finding an attorney for personal representation.

  • Phone: 717-245-4940
Other Pennsylvania Legal Resources


PA Immigration Resource Center (PIRC) – Statewide non-profit providing free immigration legal services to vulnerable populations. Programs include removal defense (for detained immigrants) and the Immigrant Survivors Project (for victims of trafficking/domestic violence). Call 717-600-8099 or email [email protected] for help (service area includes central PA).

Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network (PLAN) – A consortium of all PA legal aid programs. The PLAN website has statewide info and a directory. Residents can call PA 2-1-1 or 877-429-5994 to be routed to local legal aid (for civil issues) based on their county.

Attorney General’s Consumer Protection – State agency enforces consumer protection laws. File complaints about scams or unfair business practices online or call 1-800-441-2555 (national form).