Legal Resources

Are you looking for information about a legal problem? Explore our resource library below.

Rental Housing FAQ

Do you have questions about rental housing? Find answers to common questions here.

Security Deposit Packet

Do you want to know more about your rights to your security deposit?

Breaking your Lease Early if you experienced Domestic Violence

If you have experienced domestic violence, you may be able to break your lease early. Find out more and get a sample letter to send to your landlord here.

Breaking your Lease Early if you have a Protection Order

Do you have a Civil Protection Order and want to move? You may be able to break your lease early. Find out more and get a sample letter to send to your landlord here.

Tenant Toolkit

Do you want to learn more about your rights and legal options as a tenant?

Housing Conditions Handbook

Do you need your landlord to make repairs? Learn how to sue them in housing conditions court.

Rental and Utility Assistance

Do you need help paying rent or utilities? Know more about D.C.’s rental assistance programs.

Ways to Keep Your Home

Are you behind on your mortgage or is there a foreclosure case against you? Explore options for how you can keep your home.

Ways to Let Go of Your Property

Can you no longer afford to keep your home? Let go of your home while protecting the rest of your money.

Foreclosure FAQs

This document provides information about what to do if you are struggling to pay your mortgage or worried about foreclosure.

Public Benefits FAQ

Do you have questions about DC public benefits? Find answers to common questions here.

Know Your Rights! Food Stamps (SNAP)

Learn about food stamps and how to apply.

Know Your Rights! TANF

Learn about TANF and how to apply.

Know Your Rights! DC Healthcare Alliance

Learn about the DC Healthcare Alliance and how to apply.

Know Your Rights! Medicaid

Learn about Medicaid and how to apply.

Public Benefits FAQ

Do you have questions about DC public benefits? Find answers to common questions here.

How to Appeal a Denial of Social Security Benefits

Did Social Security deny you benefits? Learn how to appeal your case here.

How to Prepare for Your Social Security Hearing

Do you have a Social Security hearing? Learn how to prepare and what to expect.

How to Prepare for Your Child’s SSI Hearing

Does your child have a Social Security hearing? Learn how to prepare for your child’s SSI hearing and what to expect.

Social Security Overpayments Toolkit

Did Social Security say they overpaid you? Learn about your options here.

Real Property Tax

We assist with real property tax matters including, benefit programs that reduce taxes for low-income persons and seniors and disabled persons. Also with inaccurate property classifications by the DC Office of Tax and Revenue. 

Selling Your Structured Settlement Payments 

Questions and Answers 

Bankruptcy FAQs

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy FAQ

Debt Collection: Talk to a free lawyer

Is there a debt collection case against you? Learn how you can get free legal help.

Video Series to Help in Family Court

A video series from the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center on navigating divorce, custody, fee waivers, child support, and more.

Family Law Assistance Network(FLAN)

Do you have questions custody, divorce, or child support? Learn how to get help here.

Child Support Resource Center

Do you need child support or did someone sue you for child support? Learn how to get help here.

Child Support and Custody FAQs

Do you have questions about child support and custody? Find answers to common questions here.

Breaking your Lease Early if you experienced Domestic Violence

If you have experienced domestic violence, you may be able to break your lease early. Find out more and get a sample letter to send to your landlord here.

Breaking your Lease Early if you have a Protection Order

Do you have a Civil Protection Order and want to move? You may be able to break your lease early. Find out more and get a sample letter to send to your landlord here.

Civil Protection Order: Checklist for Remote Court

Have you started a Civil Protection Order case because of domestic violence? Learn what to do next and what to expect at your hearing.

Domestic Violence FAQs

Do you have questions about domestic violence, starting a Civil Protection Order case, and COVID-19? Find answers to common questions here.

Public Charge Rule

Learn about your rights and whether the public charge rule applies to you if you or your family members get public benefits.

DC Homeowner and Renter Property Tax Credit (Schedule H)

Do you own or rent a home or apartment in the District? If so, this credit provides tax relief to homeowners who pay property taxes and to renters who help support those payments. You may qualify to get this money even if you don’t owe any taxes to the District to the District!

Earned Income Tax Credit

Did you work at any point during 2023, even if it was part-time, temporary, or gig work? Did you earn less than $63,398 if you are married and file jointly (or $56,838 if you file as an individual or head of household)? Then you may be eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit.

Missing Stimulus Payments

If you did not get all three rounds of stimulus payments, it’s not too late to find out why! Learn how to get your payments.

2023 Child Tax Credit

Do you have children who were 16 or under at the end of 2023 and at least $2,500 in earnings? If so, you may be eligible for the Child Tax Credit. It can provide a credit against your taxes of up to $2,000 per child. Even if you don’t owe income tax, up to $1,600 of the Child Tax Credit is available as a refund.

Housing with a Criminal Record

Are you having trouble getting an apartment due to a criminal record? Learn more about your rights.

Working with a criminal record

Are you having trouble getting work due to a criminal record? Learn more about your rights.

Record Gathering

Find out how to gather your complete criminal record.

Expungement/Record Sealing

Do you want to seal or expunge your D.C. criminal record? Learn more.

How to Appeal an Agency Decision

Do you lose your case at the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH)? You have the right to appeal! Learn how to appeal.

How to Appeal Your Case from D.C. Superior Court

Did you lose your case at D.C. Superior Court? You have the right to appeal! Learn how to appeal.