CONCORD, N.H. — Yesterday afternoon, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) visited the Legal Advice and Referral Center (LARC) in Concord.  During the visit, she met with staff and heard about the wide range of legal services that LARC offers to Granite Staters.  Kuster highlighted her support for the Legal Services Corporation, which provides funding to LARC, and thanked LARC’s staff for the Center’s legal aid work with low-income individuals and families throughout New Hampshire.

The Legal Advice and Referral Center provides free legal aid services to low-income Granite Staters anywhere in New Hampshire.  Through a combination of education, coaching, and legal advice, LARC prepares over 3,000 clients a year to represent themselves in housing, benefits, and family matters.

“The staff at the Legal Advice and Referral Center is doing critical work providing low-income Granite Staters with the legal services they desperately need,” said Congresswoman Annie Kuster. “For men and women who find themselves facing complex legal situations and don’t know where else to turn, LARC is an excellent resource. I appreciate the staff welcoming me to their office and walking me through the incredibly important work they do here.”

The organization receives support from the federal government and provides free services to clients with incomes and assets within 200% of federal poverty guidelines.  LARC is also New Hampshire’s largest provider of pro-bono tax and financial education for refugees, immigrants, and other members of the non-English speaking community.

“We at LARC were happy to have the opportunity to explain to the Congresswoman how we as a legal aid providers serve a high volume of people in NH with urgent legal problems affecting their shelter, safety from abuse and rights as parents,” said LARC’s Executive Director, Connie Rakowsky.  “We know she understands this work is a matter of promoting fairness in our legal system.”

Earlier this year, Rep. Kuster urged congressional leaders to prioritize funding for the Legal Services Corporation, which provides funding for LARC and similar organizations across the country.

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