Legal Services To The Very Low Income Individual & Families
Jackson’s most vulnerable population has access to legal services. Services that will help keep them in their homes and services that protect them from domestic violence situations. Those who are eligible can get legal assistance in accessing health care, food and needs-based income programs. From July through December last year nearly 2000 Jackson County residents received this free legal service. 99% of these cases had successful outcomes. Rose and her family are just one example of the positive impact this program is having in Jackson County.
Rose contacted Legal Services of South Central Michigan after her husband unexpectedly went to prison. Rose and her children were dependent upon her husband’s income, which ceased when he went to prison. The loss of her husband’s income rendered her mortgage payment unaffordable and she was unable to continue making payments. Rose applied for a loan modification but the mortgage company never provided a decision on the application, claiming that documents were missing from her application. Instead, the mortgage company attempted to foreclose on the property.
LSSCM filed a lawsuit asking the court to halt the foreclosure sale and properly consider Rose for a loan modification. The mortgage company removed the case to federal court where significant litigation occurred. Thankfully, LSSCM was able to pressure the mortgage company into reviewing Rose’s loan modification application and dismissing the federal court case. As a result, Rose was granted an affordable loan modification and able to remain in her home with her children.
The ability of Legal Services of South Central Michigan to handle these cases translates to a stable environment for many families, prevents the loss of much needed benefits to those who need them most and keeps a roof above families who are working hard to make ends meet. The United Way of Jackson County supports the Legal Services for Very Low Income Individuals and Families program.
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