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United States map highlighting West region in blue

Low-income Americans in the West did not receive any or enough legal help for 92% of their civil legal problems in the past year.

The 2021 Justice Gap Measurement Survey showed that 72% of low-income households in the West experienced at least one civil legal problem in the past year, and 38% experienced at least five. The most common types of problems related to consumer issues, health care, and income maintenance. Individuals from low-income households in the West sought legal help for 29% of the problems that substantially affected them.

Scroll down for an infographic summarizing key findings related to low-income households in the West or download a PDF of the infographic.

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Snapshot of Key Findings for:

The West

United States map highlighting West region in blue
Blue icon for West region

Today’s Low-income America

14% of the population in the West is below 125% of poverty.

11.1 million children and adults in the West have incomes below 125% of the poverty threshold.

Data source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 2021 Annual Social and Economic Supplement.

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The Prevalence of Civil Legal Problems

72% of low-income households in the West had at least 1 civil legal problem in the past year.

38% had 5+ problems in past year.

28% had 10+ problems in past year.

Common problem areas:

Red and white pie chart icon at 46%
Consumer Issues (46%)

Red and white pie chart icon at 40%

Health care (40%)

Red and white pie chart icon at 37%

Income maintenance (37%)

n = 402 households in the West.

Data source: 2021 Justice Gap Measurement Survey.

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Seeking and Receiving Legal Help

n = 558 substantial problems

Sought legal help for 29% of substantial problems.

Did not receive any or enough legal help for 92% of substantial problems.

Data source: 2021 Justice Gap Measurement Survey.

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Comparing Income Groups

At or below 125% of FPL (n=402):

  • 40% are confident they could find and afford a lawyer if they needed one to help resolve a serious civil legal problem.

Between 125% and 400% of FPL (n=529):

  • 59% are confident.

At or above 400% of FPL (n=253):

  • 70% are confident.

Data source: 2021 Justice Gap Measurement Survey.

Blue icon for West region

Reports from the Field

Approximately 407,000 eligible problems brought to LSC-funded organizations in the West annually.

They are unable to provide any or enough legal help for 78% of these problems.

Data source: LSC’s 2021 Intake Census.

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