Overview

South Jersey Legal Services, Inc. (SJLS) is a non-profit organization created to provide quality legal representation and advocacy to low-income individuals in Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Monmouth, Ocean, and Salem Counties. With over 55 years of experience, SJLS is part of the Legal Services of New Jersey network and a recipient of funds from the federal Legal Services Corporation. In addition, SJLS receives funds from other federal, state, and local government sources, several county offices on aging, and other public and private sources.

Who We Are

South Jersey Legal Services, Inc. (SJLS) is a private non-profit law firm whose mission is to provide high quality civil legal services to low-income residents of Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Monmouth, Ocean and Salem Counties.

How We Serve You

At the initial review, we will decide if you are financially eligible. An intake staff member will obtain information about your income, family size, assets and the matter for which you are seeking help. All information you provide SJLS remains confidential. If you are financially eligible, we then decide whether your case is one for which we can provide representation based on our established priorities. If the case is one which we cannot handle, we will attempt to refer you to an organization which will provide assistance. If your case is one that we usually handle, but because of limited resources we are unable to handle at present, we will try to find other legal representation for you.

What We Do

SJLS provides free legal services aiding low-income clients in selected civil cases based on established priorities. SJLS most often provides advice, brief services or extended representation in the following legal areas:
  • Supplemental Security Income Benefits
  • Temporary Aid to Needy Families
  • General Assistance
  • Food Stamps
  • Medicaid
  • Unemployment Benefits
  • Domestic Violence
  • Landlord/Tenant Disputes
  • Eviction Prevention
  • Public Housing Rights
  • Section 8 Housing Assistance
  • Migrant Farmworker Rights
  • Rights of the Elderly
  • Bankruptcy
  • Foreclosure
  • Consumer Issues

Other Services SJLS Provides

SJLS provides COMMUNITY LEGAL EDUCATION programs, workshops, and materials throughout the seven county Southern Jersey region to residents, organizations and community groups on a wide range of legal issues affecting the rights of low income individuals and families. Contact our local county program offices listed on the back of this brochure for further information.

SENIOR CITIZENS ADVOCATE CENTERS (SCAC)

SCACs are located within our local program offices in Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Monmouth, and Salem Counties to provide legal assistance to county residents who are 60 years of age or older and meet established guidelines.

AGRICULTURAL WORKERS RIGHTS PROJECT

The AGRICULTURAL WORKERS RIGHTS PROJECT assists farm workers throughout South Jersey. Legal representation is provided in all cases that fall within SJLS’ authorized categories of cases, as well as unique problems facing English as Second Language (ESL) populations and protection of rights through federal and state laws governing working conditions on farms.

HOUSING PRESERVATION AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

SJLS assists low-income residents facing potential loss of affordable housing due to causes such as rent increases, loss of housing subsidies and/or end of rent affordability restrictions, redevelopment, and code enforcement. SJLS also provides limited assistance to low-income community resident groups seeking to maintain and preserve affordable housing with organizational matters.

REENTRY PROJECT

The REENTRY PROJECT is a program dedicated  exclusively to serving the reentry population within the South Jersey Legal Services, Inc. program area. The reentry population includes formerly incarcerated individuals and people who have had experience with the criminal justice system.  We help these individuals with a variety of civil legal matters that are barriers to community reintegration.

EDUCATION LAW

EDUCATION LAW assists families, within our service area, to obtain and assert the legal rights of their students.  We help families in securing special education services, bilingual education and access to education.  We also work with families charged with truancy and students facing disciplinary matters.  We represent clients in due process hearings, court proceedings and at proceedings within the school.  The Project not only works to protect the student’s rights but to further the quality of the education they receive.
TDD/TTY SERVICES is available for the deaf and hearing impaired by using the Verizon Relay Service, which can be reached by dialing 711, and asking to be connected to
the Centralized Intake Unit Office, (800) 496-4570, ext. 6501.

SJLS DOES NOT PROVIDE ANY REPRESENTATION IN:

  • Criminal Cases
  • Traffic Violation Cases
  • Municipal Court Cases
  • Personal Injury Cases
  • Commercial/Business Cases