Legal Resources
Are you looking for information about a legal problem? Explore our resource library below.
Resources
Rental Housing FAQ
Do you have questions about rental housing? Find answers to common questions here.
Security Deposit Packet
Do you want to know more about your rights to your security deposit?
Breaking your Lease Early if you Experienced Domestic Violence
If you have experienced domestic violence, you may be able to break your lease early.
Breaking your Lease Early if you have a Protection Order
Do you have a Civil Protection Order and want to move? You may be able to break your lease early.
Tenant Toolkit
Do you want to learn more about your rights and legal options as a tenant?
Housing Conditions Handbook
Do you need your landlord to make repairs? Learn how to sue them in housing conditions court.
Rental and Utility Assistance
Do you need help paying rent or utilities? Learn more about assistance programs in DC.
Resources
Ways to Keep Your Home
Are you behind on your mortgage or is there a foreclosure case against you? Explore options for how you can keep your home.
Ways to Let Go of Your Property
Can you no longer afford to keep your home? Let go of your home while protecting the rest of your money.
Foreclosure FAQs
This document provides information about what to do if you are struggling to pay your mortgage or worried about foreclosure.
Resources
Public Benefits FAQ
Do you have questions about DC public benefits? Find answers to common questions here.
Know Your Rights! Food Stamps (SNAP)
Learn about food stamps and how to apply.
Know Your Rights! TANF
Learn about TANF and how to apply.
Resources
Know Your Rights! DC Healthcare Alliance
Learn about the DC Healthcare Alliance and how to apply.
Know Your Rights! Medicaid
Learn about Medicaid and how to apply.
Resources
Public Benefits FAQ
Do you have questions about DC public benefits? Find answers to common questions here.
How to Appeal a Denial of Social Security Benefits
Did Social Security deny you benefits? Learn how to appeal your case here.
How to Prepare for Your Social Security Hearing
Do you have a Social Security hearing? Learn how to prepare and what to expect.
How to Prepare for Your Child’s SSI Hearing
Does your child have a Social Security hearing? Learn how to prepare for your child’s SSI hearing and what to expect.
Social Security Overpayments Toolkit
Did Social Security say they overpaid you? Learn about your options here.
Resources
Selling Your Structured Settlement Payments
Questions and Answers
Bankruptcy FAQs
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy FAQ
Debt Collection: Talk to a free lawyer
Is there a debt collection case against you? Learn how you can get free legal help.
Resources
Family Court How To Videos
A video series from the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center on navigating divorce, custody, fee waivers, child support, and more.
Family Law Assistance Network (FLAN)
Do you have questions custody, divorce, or child support? Learn how to get help here.
Child Support Resource Center
Do you need child support or did someone sue you for child support? Learn how to get help here.
Child Support and Custody FAQs
Do you have questions about child support and custody? Find answers to common questions here.
Resources
Breaking your Lease Early if you Experienced Domestic Violence
If you have experienced domestic violence, you may be able to break your lease early.
Breaking your Lease Early if you have a Protection Order
Do you have a Civil Protection Order and want to move? You may be able to break your lease early.
Civil Protection Orders: Checklist for Remote Court
Have you started a Civil Protection Order case because of domestic violence? Learn what to do next and what to expect at your hearing.
Domestic Violence FAQs
Do you have questions about domestic violence, starting a Civil Protection Order case, and COVID-19? Find answers to common questions here.
Resources
Public Charge Rule
Learn about your rights and whether the public charge rule applies to you if you or your family members get public benefits.
Resources
DC Homeowner and Renter Property Tax Credit (Schedule H)
Do you own or rent a home or apartment in the District? If so, this credit provides tax relief to homeowners who pay property taxes and to renters who help support those payments. You may qualify to get this money even if you don’t owe any taxes to the District to the District!
Earned Income Tax Credit
Did you work at any point during 2024, even if it was part-time, temporary, or gig work? Did you earn less than $66,819 if you are married and file jointly (or $59,889 if you file as an individual or head of household)? Then you may be eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit.
Missing Stimulus Payments
If you did not get all three rounds of stimulus payments, it’s not too late to find out why! Learn how to get your payments.
2024 Child Tax Credit
Do you have children who were 16 or under at the end of 2024 and at least $2,500 in earnings? If so, you may be eligible for the Child Tax Credit. It can provide a credit against your taxes of up to $2,000 per child. Even if you don’t owe income tax, up to $1,700 of the Child Tax Credit is available as a refund.
Resources
Housing with a Criminal Record
Are you having trouble getting an apartment due to a criminal record? Learn more about your rights.
Working with a criminal record
Are you having trouble getting work due to a criminal record? Learn more about your rights.
Record Gathering
Find out how to gather your complete criminal record, a key step in the record sealing process.
Criminal Record Sealing
Do you want to seal your D.C. criminal record?
Resources