Published by: Maryland Access to Justice Commission (MDATJ). Published in January 2013.

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This report found that civil legal aid provided significant economic benefit to the state of Maryland. The impact of legal aid included:

• Federal funding and other financial benefits secured for state residents;
• Systemic changes resulting in savings for state residents;
• Prevention of costs and losses to the state caused by homelessness and domestic violence; and,
• Increased tax revenue from residents that remained in the work force after legal support was provided.

Findings

Part One: Financial Benefits to Individual Clients

• $9,904,385 in Federal revenue directed to Maryland residents.
• $12,684,526 in Federal stimulus directed to state and local economies.
• $10,772,881 in other financial benefits for low-income Maryland residents.

Part Two: Economic Impact of Systemic Advocacy

• New legislation and rule changes protecting tenants in foreclosures, securing tenants housing estimated to value at $22 million.
• A limitation on attorney fees related to tax sale foreclosures, saving Maryland homeowners an estimated $136 million a year. New emergency housing secured for homeless women valued at $154,000.
• Improved timeliness of food stamps and other emergency benefits, yielding approximately $3 million for Maryland residents in need.

Part Three: Indirect Economic Benefits Resulting in Revenue and Savings for Maryland

• Grantees kept 376 Maryland residents in the work force, providing an estimated $882,096 in state and local tax revenue.
• Grantees helped 960 persons avoid homelessness, saving Maryland approximately $3,696,000 in shelter costs.
• Grantees support for domestic violence victims lead to an estimated 4,802 assaults avoided, resulting in approximately $633,839 saved in medical costs and $705,894 in productivity gains.

Categories: General/Unspecified Clients, Legal Aid Attorneys, Legal Aid Practitioners, Policymakers and Funders, Researchers and Academics, State-Specific