A variety of organizations in South Carolina offer free and affordable legal advice to residents. Restrictions apply; various organizations serve low-income populations, elderly people, and incarcerated people. Services require proof of low income or specific status.

South Carolina Legal Services (SCLS)

• Website: www.sclegal.org


• Hotline: 1‑888‑346‑5592


• Legal Areas: Housing (eviction/foreclosure), public benefits, family law, consumer/debt issues, and disaster recovery.


• Free Advice: Legal services are available for residents who earn less than 125% of the federal poverty level. Criminal cases do not qualify.

South Carolina Bar Association – Lawyer Referral & Pro Bono Program

• Website: www.scbar.org


• Hotline: 803‑799‑7100 or 1‑800‑868‑2284


• Legal Areas: Landlord/tenant, family, probate, consumer, bankruptcy, employment, and immigration.


• Free Advice: Legal services are available for low‑income South Carolinians. The first 30-minute consultation is $50 and then further representation may be free.

South Carolina Appleseed Legal Justice Center

• Website: www.scjustice.org


• Hotline: 803‑779‑1113


• Legal Areas: Housing, healthcare, immigration, public benefits, domestic violence, employment, reentry, and consumer protection.


• Free Advice: Legal services are available for low‑income residents statewide.

Protection & Advocacy for People with Disabilities (SC P&A)

• Website: www.pandasc.org


• Hotline: 1‑866‑275‑7273, 1‑866‑232‑4525


• Legal Areas: Disability rights, including education, employment, housing, health care, and discrimination.


• Free Advice: Legal services are available for individuals with any disability.

Low Country Legal Volunteers (Beaufort, Hampton & Jasper Counties)

• Website: www.lowcountrylegalvolunteers.org


• Hotline: 843-853‑6456


• Legal Areas: Housing, family, consumer protection, and benefits.


• Free Advice: Legal services are available for low‑income residents in specific service areas.

Veterans Leadership / Lawyers 4 Vets (via Appleseed)

• Website: www.scjustice.org/veterans-day-lawyers-4-vets-recap


• Legal Areas: Benefits, housing, and employment issues for veterans.


• Free Advice: Legal services are available for low‑income veterans and active-duty personnel.

Time Served

• Website: www.tsscnow.org


• Hotline: 864-546‑5060


• Legal Areas: Reentry, parole, sentencing, expungement, reentry housing/employment, and family law.


• Free Advice: Legal services are available for currently or formerly incarcerated individuals in South Carolina.

Senior Legal Assistance (via SC Lieutenant Governor’s Office on Aging)

• Website: www.aging.sc.gov/programs-initiatives/legal-assistance-seniors


• Legal Areas: Elder law, including healthcare planning, guardianship, benefits, and consumer issues.


• Free Advice: Legal services are available to low-income seniors aged 60 and up.

Public Defender’s Offices (Commission on Indigent Defense)

• Website: www.sccid.sc.gov


• Legal Areas: Criminal defense for indigent defendants facing potential incarceration.


• Free Advice: Legal services are available for residents charged with criminal offenses and financially unable to hire counsel.