Legal help and debt relief in Oregon
You don't have to pay a lawyer to get one. Legal Aid Services of Oregon and county programs handle evictions, family law, and benefits denials free for qualifying households — and programs like Project Reset clear old court debt and records.
Not sure which of these fit you? Answer a few questionsand we’ll rank all of them for your household.
18 programs
A free service that checks whether you qualify for a hospital's charity care and files the application for you to reduce or wipe out medical bills.
For: People with a bill from a nonprofit hospital who may qualify for the hospital's charity care · verified 2026-07-19
Free legal help for housing, benefits (SNAP, OHP, unemployment), consumer and debt, and senior problems.
For: Homes making under about $1,660 a month (for 1 person) — low-income oregonians with a civil legal problem · verified 2026-07-06
Oregon Law Center Eviction Defense Project
Free legal advice and court representation for tenants facing an eviction case. Contact them before your first court date.
For: Homes making under about $1,660 a month (for 1 person) — low-income renters facing an eviction court case, regardless of immigration status · verified 2026-07-19
Catholic Charities of Oregon — Immigration Legal Services
Low-cost consultations and legal representation for immigration cases — family reunification, green cards, DACA, deportation defense, and visas for survivors of abuse or trafficking (VAWA, U-visa, T-visa).
For: Immigrants and refugees who need low-cost immigration legal help, including survivors of domestic violence, assault, or trafficking · verified 2026-07-06
Central City Concern Flip the Script
Culturally specific reentry navigation and support — housing, employment, health care, and peer support — for people leaving prison.
For: People who live in multnomah county — black/african american people leaving prison and on supervision in multnomah county · verified 2026-07-06
Community Alliance of Tenants Renters' Rights Hotline
A free hotline giving tenants clear information about their rights and practical steps to protect them.
For: Anyone who needs it — no application · verified 2026-07-06
Criminal Record Set-Aside (Expungement)
Court sealing of eligible arrests or convictions so they no longer show in Oregon state records, with free filing help available.
For: People with an eligible past arrest or conviction that meets oregon's waiting-period rules · verified 2026-07-06
Free immigration legal representation plus a fund that covers filing fees and expert evaluations. You get an actual lawyer if you're facing deportation or need help with a case.
For: Homes making under about $2,660 a month (for 1 person) — people at risk of deportation or who need help with an immigration case · verified 2026-07-06
Fair Housing Council of Oregon
Free intake, investigation, and enforcement help for illegal housing discrimination, with referrals to a lawyer or agency.
For: Anyone who needs it — no application · verified 2026-07-06
Immigration Counseling Service (ICS)
Nonprofit immigration legal help at low or nominal fees: asylum, green cards, DACA, work permits, family petitions, and court representation.
For: Low-income immigrants, including people without legal status, people in detention, farm workers, and survivors of trafficking · verified 2026-07-06
Free advice and attorney representation in Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases.
For: Homes making under about $1,660 a month (for 1 person) — low-income oregonians who need chapter 7 debt relief · verified 2026-07-06
Multnomah County Circuit Court Fee Waiver / Fee Deferral
If you can't afford a court filing fee, you can ask the court to waive or delay it — for family, small claims, and landlord-tenant cases.
For: People who can't afford court filing fees, based on income or benefits you already get · verified 2026-07-05
Multnomah County Veterans' Services
Free, accredited help to file and appeal VA claims — disability compensation, pension, survivor benefits — and to reach other veteran benefits. Call 503-988-VETS.
For: Veterans · verified 2026-07-06
A monthly lottery that clears Multnomah County court fines and fees for 60 people. Entering doesn't guarantee you're picked, and some debts (like restitution and child support) can't be cleared.
For: People with multnomah county court fines and fees whose income is below 80% of the area median (a monthly lottery picks 60 people) · verified 2026-07-05
Oregon DMV Fine Remittance / License Reinstatement
Forgiveness of qualifying traffic fines that led to a license suspension, so eligible Oregonians can get their license back by paying only the standard reinstatement fee. DMV 503-945-5000.
For: Oregonians whose license was suspended for unpaid fines or missing an oregon court date · verified 2026-07-06
Protection & Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (Disability Rights Oregon)
Free advocacy and legal help to remove barriers to working — work incentives, Ticket to Work, representative-payee problems, and workplace accommodations.
For: People getting a social security disability benefit who face barriers to working · verified 2026-07-06
Pueblo Unido PDX — Legal Navigation
Free navigators who connect you to an immigration attorney, help gather evidence for your case, and advocate for people fighting detention or deportation.
For: People in the pacific northwest with a vulnerable immigration status, including those in ice detention or removal proceedings · verified 2026-07-06
Oregon State Bar Modest Means Program
A referral to a lawyer who charges reduced fees ($35 first meeting, then $60–$100/hr by income) for family, housing, and criminal matters.
For: Moderate-income oregonians who don't qualify for free legal aid but can't afford a full-price lawyer · verified 2026-07-06