Poverty Law and Legal Definition
Generally, poverty law deals with issued aimed at eliminating poverty in the population and addressing the needs of the poor. Issues include housing and homelessness, access to medical care, and educational opportunties, among others. The U.S. Census Bureau defines the level of poverty used by the federal government across all states through the official measure of poverty established by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
Due process rights require the poor to have access to the justice system, therefore, public lawyers are appointed for those who can't afford a lawyer and are possibly faced with incarceration. Many filing fees required by the justice system may be waived by submitting a poverty affidavit. There are also numerous state and federal government benefits available to those who have a maximum income level at or below a defined poverty line.
