ABOUT US
We Help Clients Throughout Central and Southern Mississippi
All of my adult life, I worked and was able to pay my mortgage until I lost my job due to circumstances beyond my control. I contacted my mortgage company, explained my situation and asked if they would work with me for a short period until I could find another job. They refused. I contacted the Home Saver Program, but because my lender was not participating in the program, they could not assist me. But I am so grateful they referred me to Legal Services. By this time, I was more than 4 months behind and the lender was threatening to foreclose on my home. I could not afford to pay all of the past due money. My Legal Services’ attorney was able to have the amount I could not pay placed at the end of the note, thus saving my home. I have found another job and I am current on my payments. I thank God for Legal Services for helping people, like me, who could not afford to pay an attorney.
Mississippi Center for Legal Services Corporation remains open remotely but our offices are closed to the public.
The Mississippi Center for Legal Services provides free civil legal assistance to eligible low income persons within a forty-three (43) county service area in central and southern Mississippi. MCLSC was chartered on May 1, 2004 and combines five (5) historic legal aid programs: Central Mississippi Legal Services (CMLS), Southwest Mississippi Legal Services (SWMLS), East Mississippi Legal Services (EMLS), South Mississippi Legal Services (SMLS) and Southeast Mississippi Legal Services (SEMLS.
The administrative office is located in Hattiesburg, MS. There are five (5) service offices, which are located in Jackson, McComb, Hattiesburg, Meridian, and Gulfport.
In order to provide better access to services, the program has established a Call Center. Persons seeking assistance should call 1-800-498-1804 to be screened for eligibility. Financial eligibility is based on the total number of persons living in the household and the income of all persons who live in the household and contribute to the support of the family. Income considerations include money (wages and salaries, income before any deduction) and regular payments from public assistance (Social Security, SSI, TANF, etc.).The maximum income for eligibility is generally 125% of the federal poverty guidelines. If there are certain extenuating circumstances, eligibility can be extended to 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. In certain counties, there are funds to assist persons who are age 60 and above, regardless of their income. Under our current Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grant, there is no maximum income limit for eligibility if you are the victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or elder abuse.
If you have a civil legal issue and need assistance, please contact our Call Center to determine if we can assist you.
Annual Reports
Our Board of Directors
Alexander Martin, President
Ben Piazza, Jr., Vice President
Glenda Haynes, Secretary
Arthur Walker
B. Wesley Curry, IV
Ollie Crouther
Lauren Kelley
Joe Hudson
Rekesia Granderson
Mara Joffe
Anna Rush
Matthew Thompson
Billy Spiller
Robert Gibbs
Carlos Wilson
Renee McBride Porter
Connie Jones
Joshua Tom
Valera Voller
Earline Singleton
Patrick Stubbs
Mississippi Center for Legal Services Corporation (MCLSC) is funded in part by the Legal Services Corporation (LSC). Consistent with LSC’s requirements as outlined in 45 CFR Part 1610, MCLSC may not use the funds for any purpose prohibited by the LSC Act or for any activity prohibited by or inconsistent with Section 504, unless specifically authorized by Section 1610.4, 1610.6, or 1610.7.