Paducah Legal Aid Office warn of major impact if federal cuts move forward | Community

By Pune Media On Jun 7, 2025

On Friday, local legal aid offices and non-profits responded to a potential loss in funding if the White House budget passes the Senate. As it stands, the proposed budget would cut funding for the Legal Services Corporation, or LSC.

The LSC is the largest funder of civil legal aid in the nation. It helps support legal aid organizations that provide free services to low-income families, veterans, victims of domestic abuse, seniors, and others in need.

TAYLOR BRYAN

PADUCAH — “The poor should have the same access to the court system as the rich. And if legal aid loses funding, then that will impact the poor substantially,” said attorney Catherine Fuller.

In 2025, the LSC received about $560 million in federal funding. I spoke with the Paducah Legal Aid office, which covers 11 counties in western and parts of central Kentucky. Managing Attorney Catherine Fuller says they can’t afford cuts.

From expungement clinics to supporting communities during natural disasters, Kentucky Legal Aid in Paducah plays a vital role both in and out of the courtroom.

Managing Attorney Catherine Fuller at the Kentucky Legal Aid office in Paducah.

TAYLOR BRYAN

Fuller has worked with legal aid for 20 years.

“We help people get out of abusive relationships. We help people get the bare necessities to keep their home, to get food stamps and other public benefits so they’re self-sufficient. We help them receive the benefits that they’re entitled to, like Social Security,” she said.

The list of services continues, especially for those who are most vulnerable —and Fuller says they simply can’t afford cuts.

“Then the poor will not have the same access to the courts to establish custody for their children and a divorce from an abusive spouse. They won’t have the tools to do that. We provide them the tools by court representation and defending them in court and giving them orders of support to maintain self-sufficiency,” she said.

They also invest in the community by partnering with other nonprofits.

Taylor Bryan

“I’m part of the Marshall County Long-Term Recovery Group. We were instrumental in putting a million dollars back in the community for disaster-related unmet needs. Without Kentucky Legal Aid, that would have been impossible or very difficult,” Fuller said.

She added that the demand is higher than ever.

“I have never seen people beating down the doors for free legal assistance at this level. We have people stop by the office all the time, needing help, crying, desperate, seeking help,” she said.

Fuller currently has 250 clients. In her office, there are two other staff attorneys, and their client lists are in the 200s as well. She says that in her 20 years of experience, she’s dealt with funding cuts before — but nothing like this.

The Merryman House Domestic Crisis Center said they would also be affected by cuts tied to Kentucky Legal Aid. Here’s the statement Merryman House Executive Director Dr. Mary Foley sent via text:

TAYLOR BRYAN

“The MH took a substantial cut to federal funds a few years ago. Those cuts reduced our ability to provide on-demand legal services for survivors of intimate partner violence. MH relies on the critical services of Kentucky Legal Aid to provide legal representation — a key to successful outcomes in many situations. Our hope is that life-saving services are always adequately funded.”

For more information on Kentucky Legal Aid and their services, visit their website.

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