---
title: "Build a case-acceptance table against the program's written priorities"
url: "https://ailawframework.com/practice/legal-aid-and-community-legal-practice/build-a-grant-of-aid-merit-assessment-table/united-states"
type: "task_jurisdiction_version"
site: "AI Law Framework"
id: "A54-B5-26-US"
practice_area: "Legal Aid & Community Legal Practice"
tier: "yellow"
lawyer_review: "required"
jurisdictions: ["US"]
last_reviewed: "2026-10-22"
---

# Build a case-acceptance table against the program's written priorities

> Place the applicant's problem beside the priority categories in the program's current written statement, and note whether another free or low-cost provider is named in the file. Do not accept or decline the case.

Canonical page: https://ailawframework.com/practice/legal-aid-and-community-legal-practice/build-a-grant-of-aid-merit-assessment-table/united-states  
Last reviewed: 2026-10-22

Site index for agents: https://ailawframework.com/llms.txt

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Practice area | [Legal Aid & Community Legal Practice](https://ailawframework.com/practice/legal-aid-and-community-legal-practice.md) |
| Human involvement | Yellow: Lawyer and AI draft together |
| How AI is used | Place the applicant's problem beside the priority categories in the program's current written statement, and note whether another free or low-cost provider is named in the file. Do not accept or decline the case. |
| What the lawyer must review | The governing body of an LSC recipient must adopt procedures for establishing priorities for all Corporation and non-Corporation resources and must adopt a written statement of priorities that determines the cases and matters which may be undertaken (45 CFR § 1620.3(a)). The procedures must include an appraisal of the needs of eligible clients. Factors that must be among those considered include the Corporation's suggested priorities, the recipient's resources, the availability of another source of free or low-cost legal assistance, the relative importance of the problem to the client, and whether the problem is susceptible to solution through legal processes (45 CFR § 1620.3(c)). A case, as defined in § 1620.2, is program service to one or more specific clients, including advice, brief services and representation. A matter is not direct representation of a specific client. You decide whether the matter is within the statement. Financial eligibility under Part 1611 is a separate gate. |
| Written for | United States |
| Applies to | [Build a grant-of-aid merit assessment table](https://ailawframework.com/practice/legal-aid-and-community-legal-practice/build-a-grant-of-aid-merit-assessment-table.md) |

## Checking plan

- What the AI does: Place the applicant's problem beside the priority categories in the program's current written statement, and note whether another free or low-cost provider is named in the file. Do not accept or decline the case.
- Basis: Checked against the linked sources on 22 October 2026. Confirm the current instrument before reliance.

## Notes

- Emergency procedures are in 45 CFR § 1620.4, which was not opened.
- Restrictions on the use of non-LSC funds are in 45 CFR Part 1610. The part heading was seen. The operative restrictions were not read. Open Part 1610 before accepting a restricted matter on non-LSC funds.

## Sources

- [45 CFR § 1620.3, establishing priorities](https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/45/1620.3) (checked 2026-10-22)
- [45 CFR § 1620.2, definitions of case and matter](https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/45/1620.2) (checked 2026-10-22)
- [45 CFR § 1611.4, financial eligibility for legal assistance](https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/45/1611.4) (checked 2026-10-22)

## Forms and precedents for this task

| Form or precedent | Kind | AI level | Summary |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Merit and means assessment table for a grant of legal aid (NSW)](https://ailawframework.com/precedents/legal-aid-and-community-legal-practice/merit-means-assessment-table.md) | Checklist | Yellow | Working table for a Legal Aid NSW grant: the published Merit Test, the Means Test, contributions under the Legal Aid Commission Act, and what is still missing before a recommendation. |
| [Appeal to the Legal Aid Review Panel against a refusal or termination of legal aid (NSW)](https://ailawframework.com/precedents/legal-aid-and-community-legal-practice/legal-aid-refusal-appeal-letter-nsw.md) | Letter | Yellow | Appeal letter and checklist for challenging a Legal Aid NSW decision to refuse or terminate aid, or a condition of a grant: the 21-day time limit, the grounds and supporting documents, internal… |

Signed-in accounts can read the full text of each one.

*Practice guidance for planning and review. Confirm current primary sources and the requirements of the actual matter. This is general information, not legal advice.*