The President has recommended $435 million for the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) in his Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 budget plan, which was just released. This is the same level of funding recommended in FY 2010 and only $15 million more than the amount appropriated for FY 2010. These figures were proposed in light of the general freeze on domestic discretionary funding the budget proposes.

The President's request also includes, unchanged from last year's request, language regarding removal of the current restrictions on non-LSC funds, as well as the restrictions on attorneys' fees and participation in class action suits. The restriction on attorneys' fees was lifted in the FY 2010 appropriation enacted into law in December, while the restrictions on non-LSC funds and class actions remain in effect.

The President's request includes, basic field funding of $407 million, up from $394.4 million in FY 2010. It also requests $4 million for the Office of the Inspector General, down from $4.2 million in FY 2010 and $20 million for LSC Management and Grants Oversight, up from $17 million in FY 2010. Funds for TIG grants, that improve access to legal assistance and self-help guides for the poor, would decrease from $3.4 million to $3 million, and $1 million would remain in the budget for loan repayment assistance.

LSC previously submitted its FY 2011 budget request of $516.5 million to Congress on January 29. LSC's request would provide $484.9 million for basic field programs providing civil legal assistance, $4.35 million for the LSC Office of Inspector General, $19.5 million for management and grants oversight, $6.8 million for TIG grants, and $1 million for student loan repayment assistance.

Click here to view the President's FY 2011 budget request [PDF] (LSC on p. 65/1283)
Click here to view the LSC FY 2011 budget request [PDF]