Article 30: Legal Aid and Civil Legal Services Programs · Last amended 2009 · Last verified July 22, 2026
In one sentenceThis section lists seven conditions a nonprofit must meet to qualify for a Civil Legal Services Program grant — from being chartered in Nebraska and staffing licensed attorneys to receiving federal Legal Services Corporation funding — and requires an annual independent audit of each grant recipient.
Full Text of § 25-3008
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(1) The Commission on Public Advocacy shall establish guidelines for submission of applications for grants to provide civil legal services to eligible low- income persons. To be eligible for a grant under this section, a civil legal services provider shall:
(a) Be a nonprofit organization chartered in Nebraska;
(b) Employ or contract with attorneys admitted to practice before the Nebraska Supreme Court and the United States District Courts;
(c) Have offices located throughout the state;
(d) Have as its principal purpose and mission the delivery of civil legal services to eligible low-income persons who are residents of Nebraska;
(e) Distribute its resources equitably throughout the state;
(f) Be a recipient of financial assistance for the delivery of civil legal services from the Legal Services Corporation established by the federal Legal Services Corporation Act, 42 U.S.C. 2996 et seq.; and
(g) Certify that any grant funds received pursuant to this section will be used to supplement any existing funds used by the applicant and that such funds will not replace other funds appropriated or awarded by a state agency to provide civil legal services to any eligible low-income person.
(2) A civil legal services provider seeking a grant under this section shall file an application with the commission on forms provided by the commission. The application shall include a place for the provider to certify to the commission that it will provide free civil legal services to eligible low-income persons upon receipt of a grant under this section.
(3) The commission shall review the applications and determine which civil legal services providers shall receive grants under this section and the amount of the grants. Grant recipients shall use the grant funds to provide free civil legal services to eligible low-income persons.
(4) An independent certified public accountant shall annually audit the books and accounts of each grant recipient. The grant recipients shall provide the results of such audit to the commission.
Source
Laws 2006, LB 746, § 4; Laws 2009, LB35, § 17.
Plain-English Summary
Section 25-3008 sets the bar for Civil Legal Services Program grants higher, and more specific, than the earlier program’s direct-representation standard. To qualify, a civil legal services provider must be a Nebraska-chartered nonprofit, employ or contract with attorneys admitted to practice before the Nebraska Supreme Court and the federal district courts, keep offices across the state, have as its principal mission delivering civil legal services to low-income Nebraska residents, distribute its resources equitably statewide, and receive financial assistance from the federal Legal Services Corporation. The applicant must also certify that any grant money will supplement, not replace, other funds a state agency already provides or awards for civil legal services.
Providers apply on commission-supplied forms and certify they will deliver free civil legal services to eligible low-income persons if awarded a grant. The commission reviews the applications and decides which providers receive grants and in what amounts. Once a provider receives money, an independent certified public accountant must audit its books and accounts every year, and the provider must give the commission the results.
Frequently Asked Questions
What seven-part test must a nonprofit meet to receive a Civil Legal Services Program grant?
It must be a Nebraska-chartered nonprofit; employ or contract with attorneys admitted before the Nebraska Supreme Court and federal district courts; keep offices statewide; have delivering civil legal services to low-income Nebraska residents as its principal mission; distribute resources equitably across the state; receive Legal Services Corporation funding; and certify that grant money will supplement rather than replace other funding.
Why does the statute require a Legal Services Corporation connection?
It ties eligibility to providers already vetted and funded under the federal Legal Services Corporation Act, giving the commission an external benchmark for capacity and accountability.
What does “supplement, not replace” mean for grant funds?
A provider must certify that Civil Legal Services Program money adds to its existing funding rather than substituting for funds a state agency already provides or awards for the same services.
How does a provider apply for a grant?
By filing an application on forms the commission provides, including a certification that the provider will deliver free civil legal services to eligible low-income persons upon receiving the grant.
What audit requirement applies to grant recipients?
An independent certified public accountant must audit each grant recipient’s books and accounts annually, and the recipient must share the audit results with the commission.
Who decides which providers get grants and how much?
The Commission on Public Advocacy, after reviewing the applications submitted under this section.
Source & verification. Section text and the amendment-history citation are
reproduced verbatim from the Nebraska Legislature, Revisor of Statutes, enacted by the
Nebraska Legislature. Last verified July 22, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as:civil legal services grant requirements nebraskalegal services corporation nebraska grantnonprofit legal aid eligibility criteriagrant recipient audit requirement nebraska