Low Income Taxpayer Clinic of AppalReD Legal Aid

The Low Income Taxpayer Clinic of AppalReD is a project of Appalachian Research and Defense Fund of Kentucky, Inc. (AppalReD Legal Aid). AppalReD Legal Aid is a well-established legal services program that has been serving low income individuals, families, and client groups for 37 years. The program serves 37 counties in eastern and south central Kentucky from ten primary offices located in Barbourville, Booneville, Columbia, Harlan, Hazard, Jackson, Pikeville, Prestonsburg, Richmond, and Somerset.

The program has been involved in significant litigation involving a variety of legal issues, including: • Protecting victims of domestic violence and elder abuse; • Challenging employment discrimination; • Protecting the rights of students with special educational needs; • Assisting economic development groups; • Developing due process procedures for utility cut-offs; • Protecting the rights of consumers; • Applying for public benefits; and • Defending against foreclosures.

In 2007, AppalReD established a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic to provide low income taxpayers with access to free legal representation and education about the rights and responsibilities of taxpayers. In 2009, the Low Income Taxpayer Clinic established a presence in AppalReD’s Somerset office and on the campus of the University of Kentucky College of Law in Lexington.