THE HIGH COST OF COMPETENT LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOR INDIVIDUALS IN EFFECT PREVENTS MOST MIDDLE-CLASS PERSONS FROM OBTAINING HELP WHEN THEY NEED IT. THE COST OF LEGAL SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS CAN BE REDUCED BY THE FORMATION OF PREPAID LEGAL INSURANCE GROUPS, SIMILAR TO ORGANIZATIONS WHICH PROVIDE MEDICAL INSURANCE. A PILOT PROJECT IN NEW YORK INVOLVED LEGAL SERVICES TO THE MEMBERS OF THE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES. NEITHER CRIMINAL CASES NOR MALPRACTICE MATTERS ARE INCLUDED IN THE PLAN, BUT THE UNION MEMBERS DO HAVE FREE ACCESS TO THE LEGAL STAFF FOR FAMILY DISPUTES, ESTATE PLANNING, HOUSING PROBLEMS, AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS. COMPREHENSIVE CIVIL COVERAGE IS PLANNED AS THE PROJECT IS EXPANDED TO INCLUDE ALL OF THE 120,000 MEMBERS OF THE UNION. THE ORGANIZATION ESTIMATES AN ANNUAL USAGE RATE OF 15 PERCENT OF ITS MEMBERSHIP. LEGAL COSTS HAVE BEEN REDUCED THROUGH THE USE OF PARALEGALS AND STUDENTS FOR ROUTINE TASKS, AND ALSO COST-EFFECTIVE AUTOMATED SYSTEMS. CLIENT SATISFACTION HAS BEEN VERY HIGH. FUTURE EXPANSION OF THE PROGRAM WILL INCLUDE 'LEGAL CHECKUPS' OF MEMBERS' CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS, INSURANCE COVERAGE, AND ESTATES. COMPARISONS ARE MADE WITH OTHER PLANS. FOOTNOTES ARE PROVIDED. (TWK)