Recognizing that many clients of paralegals face extreme financial hardship, and that the lack of funds can prevent clients from obtaining services critical to their health, their safety, and their pursuit of justice, some paralegal programs including Timap for Justice have established an Emergency Fund.

The goal of an Emergency Fund (the “Fund”) is to provide financial support to clients who have suffered a severe injustice and lack the funds necessary to address that injustice. The need most frequently arises in situations that implicate health and safety, such as instances of domestic violence and sexual assault. For example, if a client is a survivor of domestic violence but lacks the resources to obtain the medical report required by police for investigation, monies from the Fund could cover the client’s transport, doctor’s fees, and medical costs.

This excerpt includes guidelines for establishing, accessing, and disbursing funds for a paralegal program emergency fund.