FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 12, 2026
OMAHA, NE – Today, Legal Aid of Nebraska announced that its field grant from the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) has been cut by 3.8% for 2026.
Congress passed LSC’s funding appropriation in January with a 3.6% cut to its 2025 budget of $560 million. Although the Senate budget proposal had originally increased LSC’s budget, the House budget proposed a devastating 46% cut.
“We appreciate the strong, bipartisan support for civil legal services in this appropriation,” said LSC President Ron Flagg. “While we’re grateful that proposals for more significant cuts have not prevailed, any cut threatens the stability and safety of American families, seniors and veterans who rely on already under-resourced legal services. LSC remains committed to working with Congress to fulfill the mission that it gave us over 50 years ago: providing equal access to the justice system through high-quality legal assistance for those who cannot afford an attorney.”
LSC supports 130 independent nonprofit civil legal organizations in all 50 states. Through LSC grants, one in seven Nebraskans are financially eligible for free legal assistance from Legal Aid of Nebraska. LSC provides funding to low-income and vulnerable individuals earning 125% or below the Federal Poverty Guidelines, which is $19,562/year for a single person or $40,187 for a family of four. Nearly 1 in 3 Legal Aid of Nebraska clients lives on less than $650/month.
“We are relieved that Congress has passed this appropriation bill.; At the same time, we have to acknowledge that this cut, along with the ending of Cares Act and reductions in other funding, means Legal Aid of Nebraska faces a budget shortfall of nearly $1.5 million in 2026,” said Laurie Heer-Dale, Legal Aid of Nebraska Executive Director. “More Nebraskans are falling behind every day and this budget does not reflect the reality of systemic poverty or the difficulty of acquiring legal representation.”
Legal Aid of Nebraska had a total economic impact of more than $16 million in 2025 – helping clients increase their income and assets that were rightfully theirs and reducing their debt. According to studies by LSC spanning decades, for every $1 spent on legal aid, states get a $7 return to the local economy.
To join the effort and support the continuation of Legal Aid’s services in Nebraska or to learn more about their impact in the community, visit their website at www.legalaidofnebraska.org.
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About Legal Aid of Nebraska
Legal Aid of Nebraska was established in 1963 and is the largest provider of direct and free civil legal services, providing free high-quality services to low-income Nebraskans in all 93 counties. Legal Aid’s mission is to stand with those facing justice alone - defending rights, confronting injustice, restoring hope, and opening doors to opportunity. Legal Aid has offices in Lincoln, Omaha, North Platte, Norfolk, Grand Island, Scottsbluff, and Bancroft.
Media contact: Melissa Amarawardana, Marketing and Communications Manager
Mamarawardana@legalaidofnebraska.org
Office: 402.348.1069 x 235
Cell: 402.999.3404
