CASE TYPE	POPULATION WITH SPECIAL VULNERABILITIES LIMITATIONS
1. Elder Law Issues	Case acceptance for clients aged 60 and over shall not be contingent on income eligibility while concentrating on those with the greatest social and economic need. Elder law cases that do not meet program priority or case acceptance policy will not be accepted unless otherwise stated.
2. Disabled/Handicapped Issues	Cases involving the rights of individuals with mental or physical disabilities are a priority as are elder law cases.
3. Domestic Violence	Where applicant is a victim of imminent and/or ongoing domestic violence which threatens safety or health. In obtaining divorce or protective orders, defendant’s income shall not be a factor nor shall any divorce restrictions apply. Parties are not required to be separated.
4. Language Barrier	No eligible person shall be denied equal access to services because of language barriers. (Programs shall take necessary steps to assure availability of interpreters).
5. Cultural/Education Barriers	Programs shall provide sensitivity training on cultural and educational barriers. Assure access to services while considering all other priorities (if necessary, may require outreach).
6. Conservatorship	Defend putative wards who are being subjected to conservatorship proceedings, provided the wards have the support of treating physicians. May file under extreme circumstances (Emergency)
7. Alien Victims of Domestic Abuse and Trafficking	An otherwise ineligible aliens may receive legal assistance directly related to the prevention of, or obtaining relief from, batter, cruelty, sexual assault or trafficking.
CASE TYPE	SUPPORT FOR FAMILY LIMITATIONS
1. Bankruptcy 7 & 13	Shall not be filed for clients who are judgment proof. Chapter 7: The program shall not accept a case for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy unless: a) the applicant’s home is in need of bankruptcy protection to avoid a lien on the home; or b) the applicant’s car is in need of bankruptcy protection to prevent repossession; or c) the applicant has $5000.00 or more in unsecured and past due debts; or d) his/her wages are subject to garnishment; EXCEPTION may be extended to persons 60 plus. Chapter 13: The program shall not accept a case for a Chapter 13 bankruptcy unless: a) It is to stop a foreclosure sale; b) When the applicant’s home needs protection from foreclosure or repossession; c) The applicant’s car needs protection from repossession; or d) In instances when a person cannot legally file a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, and the Chapter 13 Plan is feasible
2. Replevin	Will defend where property wrongfully seized by creditors with minimum of 3 working days notice
3. Credit Collections	If substantive defense and amount sought exceeds $2500
4. Truth-in-Lending	May handle if: a) Can rescind deeds of trust b) Compulsory counterclaims may be filed c) Canceling contracts
5. Student Loans	Cases involving student loan matters will be handled where institution closed or defaulted on its obligations to students. Establishing hardship waiver because of disability
6. Utilities	May handle
7. General Consumer Claims	The program case handler is encouraged to accept consumer cases that involve patterns or practices of violating state and federal consumer rights laws. Will accept consumer case if the applicant’s home is the subject of foreclosure.
8. Education Related Matters	May handle
9. Employment Related Matters	Job Discrimination: Refer to Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) first then state litigation director for assessment to handle or refer pursuant to LSC regulations. Public Employment Termination Will handle if substantive defense Wage Claims Refer to Wage and Hour Division of Employment of Labor
10. Divorces	Separation period of 6 months Minor children of parties EXCEPTION: 60 plus or disabled. Must have fault ground although it may be filed as Irreconcilable Differences EXCEPTION: 60 plus or disabled as determined by a governmental agency.
11. Protective Orders	Will handle
12. Custody	Defend modifications, if meritorious where no agreement File if agreement by all parties. In other instances, on cases by case basis
13. Support	All cases involving divorce and custody; otherwise refer cases to Department of Human Services (DHS) where there are no court orders or divorce proceedings.
14. Visitation	- Child support order exists but order is silent as to visitation - If paternity is established, where father comes in and wants to pay support and obtain visitation. - May handle grandparent visitation consistent with statute.
15. Adoption	May handle if meritorious, and minor child has been in applicant’s continuous care for six months.
16. Annulment	Pursuant to statute
17. Separate Maintenance	- File as part of divorce - Custody and support if party is pregnant BY THE SPOUSE
18. Emancipation	Will handle for purposes of housing and employment ONLY
19. Guardianship	Will be handled except for trust purposes, and accounting can be waived.
20. Birth Certificate	Will be handled for: a) public benefits b) retirement c) identification d) work related purposes
21. Name Change	Will be handled for: a) public benefits b) retirement c) identification d) work related purposes
22. Legitimation	Provide and/or complete forms
23. Paternity	Refer to DHS Initiate to protect economic interest of a minor, pay full cost in advance, and where defendant can be served
24. Parental Termination Defense	Will handle if meritorious
25. Modification (Support Reduction)	- Cases involving the reduction of court ordered child support shall not be accepted unless the applicant has been rendered disabled by SSA since the court order which has caused a significant loss of income - Cases solely involving the increase in court ordered child support shall be referred to the Department of Human Services.
26. Contempt	Child support, refer to DHS All other issues (with exception of support) will handle if meritorious and handled initially by NMRLS.
27. Neglect/Abuse	Will handle if meritorious.
CASE TYPE	MAINTAINING ECONOMIC STABILITY LIMITATIONS
1. Food Stamps	Will handle through administrative level unless facts indicate likelihood of criminal fraud
2. Social Security	Will handle
3. SSI	Will handle
4. Unemployment Compensation	Will handle
5. Veteran Benefits	Refer to VA (Veteran Administration) or MVLP (Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project).
CASE TYPE	PRESERVING THE HOME LIMITATIONS
1. Eviction	May handle if meritorious, except where the person has been charged with or convicted of the illegal sale, distribution, or manufacture of a controlled substance, or possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell or distribute and the eviction is brought by a public housing agency on the basis the illegal drug activity for which the person has been charged or convicted threatens the health or safety of the other tenants or employees of the public housing agency.
2. Foreclosures	If appropriate for bankruptcy or loss mitigation
3. Land Matters	Will not handle
4. Fair Housing	Will handle pursuant to fair housing grant
5. Housing Counseling	Will handle pursuant to housing counseling grant
6. Quitclaim Deeds	Will prepare
7. Wills	Will prepare except those involving complicated estate or trust issues. Will NOT probate
8. License	Will file petition to reinstate if (a) meritorious, (b) complete compliance with suspension requirement; and (c) not arising out of any criminal actions.
CASE TYPE	SAFETY, STABILITY AND HEALTH LIMITATIONS
1. Healthcare Related Matters	Will handle
2. Medicaid	Will handle
3. Medicare	Will handle
4. Advance Directives	Will handle
5. Power of Attorney	Will prepare or revoke
6. Hill-Burton	Will handle
7. Nursing Home Bill of Rights Issues	Will handle
8. VA