Idaho Legal Aid Services
Last updated August 2026
Idaho Legal Aid Services gives free civil legal help to low-income Idahoans. It covers housing, family, seniors, health, consumer, and civil rights matters. The way to start is the statewide Legal Advice Line at 208-746-7541. You can also request help through the online intake application at idaholegalaid.org.
Call at the right time, because intake hours are limited. The Legal Advice Line takes intake calls Monday through Wednesday only. The intake window runs from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Mountain Time. Plan to call early in that window on one of those three days.
Read this eviction warning carefully. For nonpayment of rent, an Idaho landlord must serve a written 3-day notice before filing for eviction. Under Idaho Code 6-303, that notice asks you to pay the amount due or surrender the property. The notice can be served at any time within one year after the rent becomes due. So a 3-day notice can arrive faster than many tenants expect.
The timeline after a court loss is short. A residential tenant is given 72 hours after the judgment to remove belongings. Commercial tenants, or tracts of five acres or more, get seven days, or longer if the court grants it. Because 72 hours is so short, get legal help the day you receive a notice or court paper.
The forms are open to everyone. Idaho Legal Aid Services offers free self-help forms and legal guides at idaholegalaid.org, with no income screen for those tools. If you are not sure you qualify for a lawyer, the self-help forms can still help you act.
Move fast and stack help. Call the Legal Advice Line as soon as a housing paper arrives. Dial 2-1-1 for the Idaho CareLine to find local rent funds that may clear the balance before a case goes further.
Phone 208-746-7541
Hours Legal Advice Line intake 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Mountain time, Monday through Wednesday
Help available in English and Spanish.
Updated August 2026 Program details can change — confirm with the program directly.
Who qualifies
- Low-income Idaho residents with a civil, noncriminal legal problem; separate advice lines cover housing, seniors and public benefits, and domestic or sexual violence
- The self-help forms and legal guides at idaholegalaid.org are free for everyone, with no income screen
You may qualify. The program makes the final decision.
How to apply
- 1
Call the Legal Advice Line at 208-746-7541, Monday through Wednesday, 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Mountain Time.
- 2
Or request help through the online intake application at idaholegalaid.org.
- 3
If you got an eviction notice, act right away, because a 3-day notice moves quickly.
- 4
Use the free self-help forms at idaholegalaid.org while you wait for help.
- 5
Dial 2-1-1 for the Idaho CareLine to find local rent funds that may clear the balance.
What to have ready
- Any notice or court paper you received
- Your lease or rental agreement
- Proof of your household income
- A short summary of your legal problem. The office confirms the exact list.
What the application looks like
Common questions
How do I get free legal help in Idaho?
Call the Legal Advice Line at 208-746-7541, or use the online intake at idaholegalaid.org. Intake calls are taken Monday through Wednesday, 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Mountain Time.
How much notice do I get before eviction for unpaid rent?
For nonpayment, Idaho law requires only a written 3-day notice to pay the amount due or surrender the property, under Idaho Code 6-303.
How long do I have to move out after losing?
A residential tenant is given 72 hours after the judgment to remove belongings. Commercial tenants or larger tracts get seven days.
Are the self-help forms free?
Yes. Idaho Legal Aid Services offers free self-help forms and legal guides at idaholegalaid.org, with no income screen for those tools.
Not sure this is the right program for your situation?
See all Idaho programs →Free · Private · No account needed