Welcome to the Detroit Right to Counsel Screening and Income Verification Tool

If you are a tenant in the City of Detroit and need help with a housing issue, you're in the right place.
By using this tool and inputting some personal information, you can determine what legal support may be available to you as a tenant in the City of Detroit. 

This tool was created by Lakeshore Legal Aid in partnership with the City of Detroit. All information entered into this tool is sent directly to the legal aid agency assigned to assist you. The information you enter is private and confidential. It cannot be accessed by the City of Detroit or 36th District Court. 
Detroit Right to Counsel is an income based legal assistance program.

The next series of questions will determine if you qualify for free legal assistance. 

This tool is meant for preliminary screening only. It is not a complete intake. You may be asked more questions by the legal aid agency assigned to assist you at your next court date.

Completing this form does not guarantee that you will receive legal assistance and does not create an attorney-client relationship. 

Please confirm that you are a tenant with a housing related legal issue in the City of Detroit?

Court Date Information

Here is an example of a court summons Summons Example

If you are unsure if you have a court date, you can look up your name to see if there is a court date assigned at the 36th District Court website.






Please enter your legal name as it appears on your ID.



How many people live in your house?




What is your household monthly pre-tax income?



Contact Information - Phone







Contact Information - Email



Contact Information - Address






Demographic Information





Plaintiff's Information

Please enter what is on your lease or on the court paperwork.
Sample Summons




Housing Information





Housing Conditions


In order to assist you, you need to upload documentation of the income you listed earlier in this form. 


Prior to services being provided, you will need to sign a Right-to-Counsel Certification confirming your income or provide proof of your income as listed.

The next series of questions will walk you through the types of income documents accepted by the Right to Counsel program

Do you have proof that you receive a government benefits like Social Security, SNAP or food stamps, Medicare Part D, etc.?

This proof could include many things, but some examples include:
- Proof that a household member receives SSI
- Proof the household receives TANF, FIP, WIC, food stamps or a Bridge Card
- Proof a member of the household is enrolled in Headstart or Early Headstart
- Documentation that someone in the household recieves Medicare Part D or Medicaid
- A lease or other documentation showing your tenancy is subsidized
- Documentation showing the household is enrolled in the Detroit Water and Sewage Department Lifeline Plan

Do you need help uploading documents from your phone or computer?

Watch this video below to learn how to upload your proof of income. 

Upload your proof of income here. 

Paystubs must be dated within 90 days of the today. 

Here is an example of a paystub.

Paystub Sample

Do you need help uploading documents from your phone or computer?

Watch this video below to learn how to upload your proof of income. 

Upload your proof of income here. 

Do you have a W-2 from the previous year or taxes that show the household income? Or a 1099 that shows taxable income from the prior year?

Here is an example of a W2 alt txt
Here is an example of a 1099 alt txt

Do you need help uploading documents from your phone or computer?

Watch this video below to learn how to upload your proof of income. 

Upload your proof of income here. 

Do you have a pension benefits statement?

Here is an example of a pension Pension Example

Do you need help uploading documents from your phone or computer?

Watch this video below to learn how to upload your proof of income. 

Upload your proof of income here. 

Do you have some other form of proof not yet mentioned?

That could be a statement signed by your employer, bank statements showing regular deposits from an employer, trust payments, or another program or proof of income not otherwise listed.  

Do you need help uploading documents from your phone or computer?

Watch this video below to learn how to upload your proof of income. 

Upload your proof of income here. 

This tool only serves tenants with housing related legal issues in the City of Detroit who meet certain income requirements and already have a court date scheduled. 

It looks like for one of those reasons, you do not qualify. If you believe this is an error, please come the Room 417 of the 36th District Court on your first court date. 
 
In the meantime, there are other options for you!
Michigan Legal Help has tools and information to help you understand and manage your legal problems. You can visit that website by clicking on the logo above or going to michiganlegalhelp.org
Once you hit "Submit" on the following page the information you provided will be submitted to the proper Right to Counsel partner organization.

If you are submitting this form while waiting in a court Zoom waiting room, please ask to speak with an attorney when your case is called.

If you are submitting this form while waiting in person at court, please go to room 417 and ask to speak with an attorney.

Be sure to tell the staff of the legal services provider that you submitted this form.

Submit Page

Press submit below to finalize and transmit this form.