AppalReD is a private non-profit legal services program that handles civil cases. It regularly provides representation in cases involving consumer protection, family law, housing, education law, public benefits and disability rights, as well as a variety of other issues involving civil concerns.
For over 30 years, AppalReD has provided free civil legal services to under-resourced individuals and families in 37 eastern and south central Kentucky counties with a poverty population of approximately 224,000 persons. The ten poorest counties in Kentucky and the second poorest county in the United States (Owsley) are part of Appalred’s service area. Offices currently exist in Barbourville, Booneville, Columbia, Harlan, Hazard, Jackson, Richmond, Pikeville, Prestonsburg, and Somerset.
The Low Income Taxpayer Clinic is a new project for AppalReD. It is operated in Richmond by Cannon-Marie Green, LITC Staff Attorney and Coordinator. While it is funded in part by a grant from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), it is completely independent from and not associated with the federal government. Rather, the Clinic is part of a national project in conjunction with the Taxpayer Advocate Service.
The Low Income Taxpayer Clinic of AppalReD provides low income taxpayers with access to free, quality representation so they can resolve controversies with the IRS. The Clinic addresses a significant lack of equal access to representation in tax controversies in eastern and central Kentucky. There is a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic in Louisville and another in Highland Heights, but under-resourced families and individuals in eastern and central Kentucky frequently lack the ability to visit or contact these clinics for assistance. The Low Income Taxpayer Clinic of AppalReD fills the void by making free representation available across eastern and central Kentucky.
In addition to resolving tax controversies, the Low Income Taxpayer Clinic of AppalReD will facilitate bilingual community outreach and education. The Clinic is currently developing a community education program called "Financial Independence and Self-Sustainability" by the Low Income Taxpayer Clinic of AppalReD. The program will teach participants how to use the tax refund as a tool to make and achieve financial goals.
"Financial Independence and Self-Sustainability" will be composed of a workshop and bilingual materials (printed in English and Spanish). The program’s target audience is at-risk consumers, a group composed of low income taxpayers, individuals with limited English proficiency, survivors of domestic violence, and high school students.
The objective of "Financial Independence and Self-Sustainability" is to help at-risk consumers develop the skills to strategically manage their money and invest in their own futures. The program will also address other topics related to self-sustainability, such as debt control and financial literacy, and the relationship of these concepts with employment, housing, transportation, education, and community resources.
"Financial Independence and Self-Sustainability" is made possible by a generous grant from the Kentucky Bar Foundation, Inc. The Low Income Taxpayer Clinic of AppalReD expects to begin program workshops and to begin distributing program materials this fall.
Individuals who need assistance with a civil legal matter can reach AppalReD by calling centralized intake at 1-866-529-9482 or visiting www.appalred.org. For more information about the Low Income Taxpayer Clinic of AppalReD, call 1-800-477-1394 or visit www.appaltax.org.