Utah Legal Services

Services to Victims of Domestic Violence: ULS represents victims of domestic violence in protective order actions providing emergency legal representation in these cases in every court in the State except in Salt Lake County where services are coordinated with the Legal Aid Society of Salt Lake. ULS assists low-income victims of abuse with permanent separation from abusers through divorce and parentage actions, securing stablility for victims through custody awards and spousal and child support orders. ULS provides legal advice, information and referral to low-income clients in family law matters. In the past year, ULS handled 2,842 cases in this area.

Services to Special Populations: Senior Citizens-specialized staff provide services for persons aged 60 and older, including legal problems with public benefits, adult protective services, living wills, consumer, housing and property law. Native Americans-Tribal court advocates serve members of the tribes on reservations, they perform outreach and education and limited representation to Utah's tribes. Agricultural Workers-services deal with the difficulties of serving a population which moves frequently, does not know about available services and may not speak English or know their legal rights. Services include wage claims, family law, immigration and public benefit cases. In the past year, ULS handled 923 cases in these categories.

Services in Other Civil Legal Matters Affecting the Poor: Housing Services- ULS represents tenants with meritorious defenses to evictions and ensures safe and habitable housing and provides additional assistance to tenants on federally subsidized housing programs. Public Benefits-ULS assists disabled Utahns with SSI and SSDI benefits, overpayment issues, food stamps, unemployment, Medicaid and other financial assistance for the low-income population. Consumer-ULS provides advice, brief service and limited representation in some extended cases in this area. In the past year, ULS handled 4,301 cases in these areas.