Our office is open to the public Tuesday - Thursday from 10:00 to 4:00.  We are otherwise available to clients Monday – Friday from 9:00 to 5:00.  We are closed during the noon hour.  Please call the office to possibly schedule an appointment or for more information.  We serve low-income individuals and seniors in Klamath and Lake Counties.

Listed below are some of the different problems the Klamath Office of Legal Aid can help you with:

Domestic Violence and Family Law:  Advice, self-help materials and representation in court for survivors of domestic or sexual violence regarding restraining orders, stalking orders, divorce, custody, parenting time, modifications, child and spousal support.  (It is generally unlikely that we would be able to formally advise or represent in divorce or custody matters that do not arise from domestic violence.)  Advice for biological parents facing guardianship or third-party custody cases.

Government Benefits:  Advice and possible representation for people who are having problems with cash assistance, medical or other government programs such as Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), General Assistance (GA), Food Stamps, Social Security, SSI, the JOBS program, the Oregon Health Plan, Temporary Assistance to Domestic Violence Survivors (TADVS), Medicaid, Medicare, Vocational Rehabilitation, or unemployment compensation.

Housing:  Advice and representation of landlord-tenant problems, such as illegal possession of tenant property, utility shut-offs, lock-outs, illegal evictions, deposits and poor housing conditions.  Subsidized Housing: Advice, assistance and representation to applicants in government assisted programs.

Seniors:  When available office resources permit, advice and representation for seniors, age 60 years or older, low-income preference.  Medicaid, Medicare benefits, housing problems, elder abuse, foster care and nursing home problems, defense of guardianship or conservatorship, age or handicap discrimination, divorces and restraining orders for victims of domestic violence, debt collection harassment and consumer "scams."  (note: Low-income qualifying seniors are otherwise fully welcome to apply for services regarding the three general areas of law listed above.)

Other Civil Matters:  Legal Aid also may be able to assist if you have an unusual situation, question or problem that may affect large numbers of low income people.

We do not help with:  Criminal law, traffic matters, bankruptcy or fee-generating cases (such as personal injury or worker's compensation).  If you are low-income and have a criminal problem, ask the courthouse about a court-appointed criminal defense attorney.

Free Computer Use:  If you do not have internet access, our office has a computer that is free to use for researching legal questions.  This computer has many links to important information for low-income people.

Resources:  We have lots of free written information on various subjects.

About Individual tax issues: LASO’s Multnomah County office helps low-income taxpayers anywhere in the state of Oregon with tax problems.  Most tax cases can be handled by phone and fax or mail, without the need to go in person to the Portland office.  Call the Portland office at 503-224-4086 or 1-888-610-8764 to see if you qualify.