COEUR d'ALENE - Idaho Legal Aid Services, Inc., the largest provider of free civil legal services to low-income Idahoans, will begin limited office closures this month due to funding cuts.

ILAS, which has an office on Sherman Avenue, announced that due to a reduction in federal and other grants, its offices will be closed one to two days and staff won't be paid. The first shutdown is set for May 27.

"These office closures are only one of the steps being taken to deal with the crisis," said Ernesto Sanchez, executive director.

ILAS has seven regional and two satellite offices as well as two statewide attorney staffed toll-free advice lines.

The majority of its clients are victims of domestic violence or sexual assault, abused and neglected children, seniors, veterans and persons with disabilities.

"Idaho is the only state in the country that does not provide any state funding for its legal aid provider," Sanchez said.

ILAS is looking at layoffs, permanent office closures, and staff reductions, according to a press release. More than half of ILAS's staff already works less than full time due to budget cuts.

To address the funding crisis, ILAS sought funding from the state through a filing fee surcharge on civil cases during the 2011 legislative session. The legislation passed the House but was stalled in the Senate.

"We hope that in 2012 the Idaho Legislature will enact legislation that will enable ILAS to serve more than the roughly 20 percent of eligible Idahoans we are currently able to serve," Sanchez said. "Most of the remainder are left to navigate the court system alone."