Governor Evers Announces Grant for Those Who Need Legal Assistance Recovering From COVID Pandemic

Thursday, March 31st, 2022 -- 10:01 AM

Gov. Tony Evers announced an $8 million grant to support Wisconsinites who need legal assistance to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The grant will be made to the Wisconsin Trust Account Foundation Inc. to fund civil legal aid organizations statewide and to build a Wisconsin Law Help website, a user-friendly online legal assistance portal that will help Wisconsinites access accurate legal information.

Established in 1986 by the Wisconsin Supreme Court, the nonprofit WisTAF is the leading state-based funder of legal aid in Wisconsin. It works with and provides funds to civil legal aid organizations so Wisconsinites with low incomes can access legal services.

The grant will allow WisTAF and its partner organizations to furnish civil legal aid interventions to Wisconsinites who face foreclosure, eviction, and other housing-related problems due to COVID-19; need legal assistance to access unemployment benefits, workforce opportunities, or health coverage; or still struggle with other economic hardships related to the pandemic.

Wisconsin Law Help began as a collaborative effort between the Wisconsin Access to Justice Commission, the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Legal Assistance Committee, and the Wisconsin State Law Library and is supported by a steering committee that includes organizations from across the state, including LIFTWisconsin, Centro Legal, Northcentral Technical College, University of Wisconsin Law School, Milwaukee Justice Center, Wisconsin Judicare, and others.

Development of Wisconsin Law Help is also a recommendation from the Governor’s Interagency Council on Homelessness in their “Welcoming Wisconsin Home” statewide action plan.

The WisTAF grant will be administered by the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families and is funded through the federal American Rescue Plan Act.

Wisconsinites who still face housing challenges stemming from the pandemic, including overdue bills like mortgage payments, property taxes, and utilities, are also encouraged to explore the Help for Homeowners program.

Through this program, eligible homeowners can apply for assistance with mortgage payments, local property taxes, and utilities, including internet, as well as housing counseling and legal services.

For renters, help is still available through the Wisconsin Emergency Rental Assistance program for overdue rent and utility payments. Wisconsinites can visit BadgerBounceback.wi.gov to view pandemic-related assistance information for families, farmers, businesses, organizations, and communities, as well as the latest data and success stories about how COVID-relief investments are making a difference across the state.

For updates on other recovery-related grant opportunities, sign up for the Badger Bounceback update list.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.