AUGUSTA (AP) — Maine lawyers who represent indigent clients in state court proceedings are scheduled to get a pay raise, but the start date and even the amount remain unclear because of budget woes.

The funding shortage has raised concerns that there won’t be enough qualified lawyers to represent people who can’t afford one and are qualified to receive legal help at the state’s expense.

The Commission on Indigent Legal Services, the independent board that sets fees for that work, recently approved a $70-per-hour fee to begin July 1 and another increase to $75 an hour a year later.

The Kennebec Journal reported that the 465 lawyers registered with the commission receive $50 per hour, which has remained unchanged since 1999.

The governor’s budget proposes a $55-an-hour rate in the 2014-2015 budget.