Free Legal Aid for Low-Income Minneapolis Residents: Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid and VLN
If you’re struggling with a legal issue but can’t afford a lawyer, you’re not alone—and you have real options. Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid (MMLA) is a nonprofit law firm providing free legal advice and representation on civil law matters to people of limited income, people with disabilities and people 60+ years of age. In Minneapolis, Volunteer Lawyers Network (VLN) helps Minnesotans experiencing poverty with civil legal issues by connecting clients with volunteer attorneys. Both organizations are part of Minneapolis’s robust network of Legal Services that can help you navigate housing disputes, family law, immigration issues, debt, and more—without cost.
Who Qualifies for Free Legal Services?
Both MMLA and VLN serve low-income residents, though eligibility varies by program and income level. Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid gives legal help to people in poverty and to people of any income level age 60 or older or living with disabilities. Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid helps people with low incomes in 20 central Minnesota counties, seniors 60 and older in 26 counties, and people with disabilities statewide. The Volunteer Lawyers Network offers a free 20-minute legal advice telephone consult on family law matters for individuals whose income is at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
What Legal Issues Can They Help With?
Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid services include debt collection and unfair loans, disability-related cases, divorce when child custody is an issue, domestic violence, elder abuse, housing discrimination and evictions, immigration and citizenship, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax issues, denial and termination of public benefits, and youth seeking help from abuse and neglect.
Volunteer Lawyers Network helps clients with a wide range of civil legal issues, including bankruptcy, criminal record expungement, eviction defense, eviction expungement, family law, immigration, and much more. Clinic assistance is available for family, civil, housing, immigration, criminal expungement, bankruptcy, LGBTQ+, and youth legal issues.
How to Get Legal Help in Minneapolis
Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid
Contact MMLA directly or apply online:
- Main intake line: (877) 696-6529 or 1-800-292-4150
- Minneapolis office address: 111 N 5th St, Ste 100, Minneapolis, MN 55403
- Office hours: 8:30am – 4:30pm, Monday – Thursday; 8:30am – 12:00pm, Friday
- Online application: Visit LawHelpMN.org to apply
- Website: mylegalaid.org
Volunteer Lawyers Network (VLN)
Connect with VLN through their intake line or find free legal clinics near you:
- VLN intake line: (612) 752-6677, available Monday through Thursday from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
- Service area: VLN serves residents of Anoka County, Carver County, Chisago County, Dakota County, Hennepin County, Isanti County, Le Sueur County, Mille Lacs County, Ramsey County, Scott County, Sherburne County, Sibley County, Washington County, Wright County, and Pierce County, WI and Saint Croix County, WI
- Multiple clinics: Clinic assistance is available for family, civil, housing, immigration, criminal expungement, bankruptcy, LGBTQ+, and youth legal issues. Visit VLN’s website for a current clinic schedule.
- Website: vlnmn.org
Immigration Legal Services Through the City
If you need immigration help, Minneapolis residents have additional resources. Mid Minnesota Legal Aid and Volunteer Lawyers Network are part of a pool of immigration legal service providers offering free immigration legal services to Minneapolis residents, with amendments allowing for continuation of immigration legal service delivery through December 31, 2025.
What Happens After You Apply?
Assistance can range from brief advice to screening for full representation depending on income level, county of residence, legal issue, and merits of the case. You may receive a phone consultation, be referred to a legal clinic, or be matched with a volunteer attorney for full representation. VLN matches low-income clients with volunteer attorneys for free civil legal services. Services range from advice to full-representation.
Beyond MMLA and VLN
Minneapolis also has other free or low-cost legal resources. Central Minnesota Legal Services (Minneapolis Office) can be reached at (612) 332-8151 or 1-877-696-6529, located at 111 North 5th Street, Suite 402, Minneapolis, MN 55403, and provides free civil (non-criminal) legal assistance to low-income people in many areas of law including housing, family law, government benefits, domestic abuse, immigration, disability and others.
Get the Help You Need
A legal issue doesn’t have to mean you can’t afford to protect your rights. Whether you’re facing eviction, need help with family law, or have immigration questions, MMLA and VLN provide a critical safety net for Minneapolis residents in hardship. These organizations work with Hues Hope and other partners to connect you to housing, health, and other Supportive Services as part of your recovery. Don’t let cost stand between you and the legal help you deserve—reach out to either organization today and ask if you qualify.
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