Do I Qualify?

GBLS is here to help you access important services and benefits that protect you and your loved ones. If you're eligible for support, we'll answer all your questions and ensure you understand your rights at every step. 

Use the guidance below to see if you qualify or call us at (617) 371-1234. Our intake counselors speak Cantonese, English, Haitian Creole, Mandarin, Portuguese, and Spanish. For other languages, we use interpreters. We can walk you through the process.

Eligibility Requirements

We serve people who live in the following cities and towns:

  • Acton*
  • Arlington
  • Bedford*
  • Belmont
  • Boston
  • Boxborough*
  • Braintree
  • Brookline
  • Burlington*
  • Cambridge
  • Canton
  • Carlisle*
  • Chelsea
  • Cohasset
  • Concord*
  • Everett
  • Harvard*
  • Hingham
  • Holbrook
  • Hull
  • Lexington*
  • Lincoln*
  • Littleton*
  • Malden
  • Maynard*
  • Medford
  • Milton
  • Newton
  • North Reading*
  • Norwell
  • Quincy
  • Randolph
  • Reading*
  • Revere
  • Scituate
  • Somerville
  • Stoneham
  • Stow*
  • Wakefield
  • Waltham
  • Watertown
  • Weymouth
  • Wilmington*
  • Winchester
  • Winthrop
  • Woburn

*Services for people older than 60 years of age only.

GBLS is dedicated to serving those most impacted by poverty and inequitable policies. Because of that, we accept clients who earn up to 125% of the federal poverty level and, in special cases, clients who earn an annual income up to 200% of the federal poverty level. If you earn less than the amounts listed in the table below, you could be eligible for support.

Family Size 125% Weekly Income 125% Monthly Income 125% Yearly Income 200% Yearly Income
1 person $384 $1,663 $19,950 $31,920
2 people $520 $2,254 $27,050 $43,280
3 people $657 $2,846 $34,150 $54,640
4 people $793 $3,438 $41,250 $66,000
5 people $930 $4,029 $48,350 $77,360
6 people $1,066 $4,621 $55,450 $88,720
7 people $1,203 $5,213 $62,550 $100,080
8 people $1,339 $5,804 $69,650 $111,440

Income guidelines do not apply to the following clients:

  • Elder recipients, victims of crime, and survivors of homicide victims served by Civil Legal Aid for Victims of Crime.
  • Medicare beneficiaries seeking assistance with Medicare issues.
  • Victims of crime seeking legal services because of the results of that crime.

Check Your Eligibility

GBLS represents clients in a wide variety of civil (not criminal) matters. We also assist with criminal record (CORI) sealing. Specific priorities and case acceptance criteria change often. You can check your income and location eligibility for most of GBLS's services below. Not every eligible client will receive help.

Include yourself, your spouse, children, and any adults taken care of by the head of household.

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Put in the best number you know.

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