Home- Legal Advice Helpline
Legal Advice Helpline
CLSMF HELPline 1-800-405-1417
Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida’s (CLSMF) HELPline is an attorney-staffed telephone advice, brief services, pro se, and referral system serving low income individuals, seniors, and other vulnerable people with civil legal issues throughout Central Florida. The attorneys who answer HELPline calls provide eligible clients with immediate brief legal services and/or referrals.
CLSMF HELPline attorneys are trained to counsel holistically, working with each caller to look at all areas of their life (such as housing, finances, family stability, education, safety, and healthcare) rather than simply addressing only a single need.
HELPline attorneys also provide on-the-spot referrals to a wide variety of governmental and social service providers, including local domestic violence shelters, housing resources, prescription drug programs for low income persons, and emergency food resources.
*CLSMF does not assist with criminal, traffic, personal injury or malpractice cases.
General Information
The CLSMF HELPline serves eligible individuals who live in or have a legal issue in the following counties: Brevard, Citrus, Flagler, Hernando, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Putnam, Seminole, Sumter and Volusia.
If your Florida county is not listed above, review the Florida Courts webpage for a list of legal aid organizations that serve the county where you live or where your legal problem has occurred.
HELPline Hours
Monday and Thursday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday and Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
We encourage you to call our HELPline as early as possible when a legal issue arises and as often as needed. Due to our high volume of callers, you may experience extended wait times to speak to an attorney. Our phone system offers a call-back feature that can save your place in line and prevent you from staying on hold while you wait to speak to an attorney.
You may also request legal assistance through our Chat feature and online application located on our website.
*Please note that we cannot take requests for legal assistance through our Facebook page.
Help For The Hearing Impaired
Help for the Hearing Impaired is available by dialing 711, Florida Relay Service, to conference call with your TTY service.
Children’s Rights Services
Under special education law, schools and school districts are responsible for identifying children with suspected disabilities, evaluating their needs to determine if they need special education services, providing children eligible for special education services with the least restrictive environment/educational placement and providing a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) to children with disabilities.
If you think that your child has been denied the education that they deserve, contact our Children’s Rights Unit directly at (386) 361-5254.
Other Numbers
For business-related matters, you may call (407) 841-7777. This number is not for people seeking legal assistance.
