Iowa Legal Aid
Last updated August 2026
Iowa Legal Aid provides free civil legal help to low-income Iowans. Civil means non-criminal matters. It covers housing, family, safety, disaster recovery, and public benefits. Apply online at iowalegalaid.org/get-help, or apply by phone. The toll-free intake line for people under 60 is 1-800-532-1503.
Older Iowans have their own line. A dedicated Legal Hotline for Older Iowans, age 60 and up, is 1-800-992-8161. It is open Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m., and Friday 9 a.m. to noon. Use this line if you are 60 or older.
The under-60 phone hours are set, so plan your call. Phone intake runs Monday through Friday, roughly 9 to 11 a.m. and 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Thursday afternoon is closed. If you do not have a deadline in the next week, applying online can be easier than waiting on the phone.
Iowa's eviction notice rules are short, so act fast. A landlord may end your lease for not paying rent only after you fail to pay within three days of a written notice. Other lease breaches require a seven-day written notice. These rules are in Iowa Code 562A.27. Call for help the day a notice or court paper arrives.
There is a separate line for disasters. Iowa Legal Aid runs a 24/7 Disaster Legal Hotline at 1-866-761-4692. If a storm or flood has affected your home or benefits, that line is open any hour.
Income guidelines apply, so if money is tight, apply rather than assume you earn too much. The self-help legal information at iowalegalaid.org is free for everyone, with no income screen. Stack help too. Dial 2-1-1 for local rent funds that may clear a balance before a case escalates.
Phone 1-800-532-1503
Help available in English and Spanish.
Updated August 2026 Program details can change — confirm with the program directly.
Who qualifies
- Low-income Iowa residents with a civil, noncriminal legal problem; income guidelines apply
- The self-help legal information at iowalegalaid.org is free for everyone, with no income screen
You may qualify. The program makes the final decision.
How to apply
- 1
Apply online at iowalegalaid.org/get-help, or call the under-60 intake line at 1-800-532-1503.
- 2
If you are 60 or older, call the Legal Hotline for Older Iowans at 1-800-992-8161.
- 3
Call the day an eviction notice or court paper arrives, since Iowa's notice periods are short.
- 4
For a storm or flood issue, call the 24/7 Disaster Legal Hotline at 1-866-761-4692.
- 5
Dial 2-1-1 for local rent funds while your case is reviewed.
What to have ready
- Any notice, letter, or court paper you received
- Proof of your income
- Your lease or benefit records. Iowa Legal Aid confirms the exact list.
What the application looks like
Common questions
How do I get free legal help in Iowa?
Apply online at iowalegalaid.org/get-help, or call the under-60 intake line at 1-800-532-1503. Iowans 60 and older use 1-800-992-8161.
How much notice does my landlord have to give?
For not paying rent, a landlord can act after you fail to pay within three days of a written notice. Other lease breaches require a seven-day written notice under Iowa Code 562A.27.
Is there help after a disaster?
Yes. Iowa Legal Aid runs a 24/7 Disaster Legal Hotline at 1-866-761-4692.
What if I am not sure I qualify?
Income guidelines apply, so apply rather than assume you earn too much. The self-help information at iowalegalaid.org is free for everyone with no income screen.
Not sure this is the right program for your situation?
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