Take Action to Secure IOLA Funds for Legal Services
Join us in sending a message to Governor Hochul and legislators to request full spending authority for New York State’s Interest on Lawyer Account (IOLA) Fund in the forthcoming 30-day amendments to the 2027 Executive Budget.
As currently proposed, the Executive Budget grants IOLA just $102.5 million, which is $25 million short of the spending authority requested. These funds are not taxpayer dollars; they are generated through interest on attorney escrow accounts and are already held by IOLA for the express purpose of supporting civil legal services statewide for low-income, vulnerable members of our communities, as authorized by statute.
Without full spending authority, legal services providers will face job cuts, clients who can’t afford a lawyer will encounter diminished services, and access to justice will be limited — directly undermining the policy goals the Governor’s budget seeks to advance.