The American Samoa Legal Aid, a non-profit group, applied for funding from The Legal Services Corporation in Washington D.C. and was successful, with the local group receiving more than $200,000 to reestablish a legal aid program that will provide free legal services to people who are indigent and qualify for free legal services, according to the President of the Board for American Samoa Legal Aid, Terrie Bullinger.

“We have been spending the last three months surveying people for the kinds of cases that need awareness in the legal community and today we received notice that our request for funding has been approved,” said Bullinger. “To operate in 2015, we have been awarded a little over $222,000, which will help us have two lawyers and two support staff.”

She also said since there has not been a legal aid program since U’una’i Legal Service shut down, some old funds were still available, which they were awarded as well, to start the program— such as establishing an office, with the equipment to go along with it: desks, computers and phone services.

Bullinger noted that in order to stay in compliance, the first thing they will be doing is hiring an Executive Director and they hope to have that person hired by the end of this coming January.

“We are required by the grant to have the doors open and fully operational by June 15. We expect to be providing services as we grow, before that time. As soon as possible, we will start seeing clients,” she explained.

The president of the ASLA board said that if anyone wishes to contact the American Samoa Legal Aid to call, 731-2252.

According to Wikepedia, The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) is a publicly funded, non-profit corporation established by the US Congress. “It seeks to ensure equal access to justice under the law for all Americans by providing civil legal assistance to those who otherwise would be unable to afford it.” It is funded through the congressional appropriations process.