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Individuals in low-income households with disabilies did not receive any or enough legal help for 91% of their civil legal problems in the past year.

The 2022 Justice Gap Measurement Survey showed that 82% of low-income households with disabilities experienced at least one civil legal problem in the past year, and 48% experienced at least five. The most common types of problems related to consumer issues, health care, and income maintenance. Individuals from low-income households with disabilities sought legal help for 25% of the problems that substantially affected them.

Scroll down for key findings related to low-income households with a member who has a disability or cares for someone who does.

Snapshot of Key Findings for:

People with a Disability

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Today’s Low-income America

10.7 million people with a disability have household incomes below 125% of poverty.

Data source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, American Community Survey, 2020 5-year estimates, S1703: Selected Characteristics of People At Specified Levels Of Poverty In The Past 12 Months.

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The Prevalence of Civil Legal Problems

82% of low-income households with a disability had at least 1 civil legal problem in the past year.

48% had 5+ problems in past year.

27% had 10+ problems in past year.

Common problem areas:

Red and white pie chart icon at 62%
Consumer Issues (58%)

Red and white pie chart icon at 45%

Health care (48%)

Red and white pie chart icon at 44%

Income maintenance (40%)

n = 1,252 households with at least one member who has a disability or cares for someone who does.

Data source: 2021 Justice Gap Measurement Survey.

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Seeking and Receiving Legal Help

Sought legal help for 25% of substantial problems.

Did not receive any or enough legal help for 91% of substantial problems.

n = 2,029 substantial problems

Data source: 2021 Justice Gap Measurement Survey.

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Comparing Income Groups

At or below 125% of FPL (n=1,252):

  • 46% are confident they could find and afford a lawyer if they needed one to help resolve a serious civil legal problem.

Data source: 2021 Justice Gap Measurement Survey.

Between 125% and 400% of FPL (n=1,197):

  • 58% are confident.

At or above 400% of FPL (n=326):

  • 67% are confident.

Additional Information about People with Disabilities

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