Legal Issues

CORI Assistance

Nowadays criminal background checks are conducted for employment, housing, and other purposes. A potential employer or a private company may conduct a review of your criminal record (CORI) and/or your credit record; driving record; educational background, etc.

Who has Standard Access?

• Employers
• Private Landlords
• Colleges, Universities, or Technical Institutions
• Out of State Municipalities or State Agencies
• Private Schools that are UNACCREDITED in MA
• Private Management Companies
• Property Management Companies (except as required for public housing placement)
• Real Estate Agencies
• Organizations for Adults (for standard employment and volunteers)

Get a Copy of Your CORI

For help with your CORI review you must bring a recent copy of your criminal record. Request a copy of your CORI online:

http://www.mass.gov/eopss/docs/chsb/adult-personal-criminal-record-request-form.pdf

Help Is Available

If you are having problems obtaining employment or housing because of a criminal record background check. Veteran Legal Services may be able to help.


Veteran Legal Services

Veterans Legal Services promotes self-sufficiency, stability, and financial security for veterans through comprehensive and accessible legal services. VLS’s unique model of delivering services on-site at homeless shelters and service centers allows it to reach veterans who would otherwise go without the legal help they need. VLS’s partnerships with shelters, courts, and supportive services providers enable VLS to make legal services accessible and collaborate with other professionals, ensuring the best chance of veteran success. VLS services over 500 veterans’ cases per year.

Legal Services:

• Bankruptcy
• Divorce
• Benefits (SNAP, MassHealth)
• Evictions
• Child Custody/Child Support
• Housing Eligibility
• Consumer Debt
• Landlord/Tenant
• CORI/Sealing Records
• Veterans Benefits
• Discharge Upgrades
• Wills & related Documents

Types of cases Veteran Legal Services cannot Accept include:

• Criminal Defense Cases
• Department of Children & Families Issues
• Fee-Generating Cases (personal injury, medical malpractice, product liability, etc.)

Income Limitations:

A veteran client’s household income cannot exceed 20% of the Federal Poverty Level Guidelines. For example, for a one-person household, Veteran Legal Services can assist only those receiving $2,010/month or less from all sources. For a four-person household, income must be at or below $4,100/month from all sources.

Contact:

Veterans Legal Services
P.O. Box 8457
Boston, MA 02114
(857) 317-4474
Website: info@veteranslegalservices.org

Walk-in Legal Clinics:

New England Center & Home for Veterans
17 Court Street
Boston, MA 02108
Most Wednesdays at 6:00 pm.

Chelsea Soldiers’ Home
91 Crest Avenue
Chelsea, MA 02150
Two Mondays per Month at 10:30 am.

Note: Call Veterans Legal Services to confirm clinic dates and times and to conduct an initial eligibility screening