The U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) on Tuesday approved funding legislation that provides $402 million for the Legal Services Corporation, a $54 million increase from current levels.

Most of the funding would provide grants to nonprofit legal aid programs to deliver civil legal assistance to low-income Americans who request help to avert foreclosures, escape domestic violence, deal with consumer fraud and appeal denial of veterans’ benefits, as well as other critical matters.

“I want to thank the subcommittee for approving this increase in funding for civil legal services,” said LSC Board Chairman John. G. Levi. “Chairman Mikulski, a longtime champion of LSC, and Ranking Member Hutchison, have brought bipartisan cooperation and leadership to this effort to help low-income Americans and expand access to justice at this critical time for our country.”

LSC funding was approximately $404 million in Fiscal Year 2011 before falling to $348 million in Fiscal Year 2012. The White House recommended $402 million in funding for Fiscal Year 2013.