LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF SAN DIEGO

PROVIDE LEGAL SERVICES TO THE INDIGENT IN THE FOLLOWING SUBSTANTIVE AREAS: HEALTH, HOUSING, SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES, MAINTAINING ECONOMIC STABILITY, SAFETY & STABILITY, AND FREE CLINICS. WHAT WE DOACCESS TO HEALTH CARE: WE PROVIDE FREE HELP TO THOSE WITH PROBLEMS GAINING HEALTH COVERAGE OR HEALTH SERVICES WHO QUALIFY FOR OUR SERVICES. WE CAN HELP IF THERE ARE CHANGES IN YOUR HEALTH SERVICES, WHEN THERE IS A TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN HEALTH COVERAGE AND WHEN THERE IS A NEED TO RESOLVE PROBLEMS WITH HEALTH PLANS. (SEE SCHEDULE O)MENTAL HEALTH: WE PROVIDE FREE HELP FOR THOSE WITH MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS. WE CAN ASSIST WITH OBTAINING MEDICATION, ACCESSING CARE, OR APPEALING A DECISION BY YOUR COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH PLAN. WE CAN ASSIST YOU WHEN YOUR PLAN TRIES TO REDUCE, TERMINATE OR DENY SERVICES (MEDI-CAL NOTICE OF ACTION). WE CAN ALSO HELP YOU WITH A GRIEVANCE CONCERNING QUALITY OR APPROPRIATENESS OF CARE. WE ARE THE COUNTY-DESIGNATED PATIENTS' RIGHTS ADVOCATE FOR OUTPATIENT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. WE ARE YOUR ADVOCATE FOR ANY PROBLEMS YOU HAVE WITH OUTPATIENT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. WE WILL INVESTIGATE AND RESOLVE ISSUES RAISED BY YOU OR YOUR FAMILY. WE EDUCATE CLIENTS ABOUT THEIR LEGAL RIGHTS. WE WORK TO RESOLVE YOUR GRIEVANCES WHEN YOU DON'T GET THE RIGHT CARE.HOUSING EVICTION: WE HAVE MANY WAYS TO HELP IF YOU ARE BEING EVICTED AND QUALIFY FOR OUR SERVICES. WE CAN TELL YOU WHAT YOUR RIGHTS ARE AND WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY. PROBLEMS/QUESTIONS ABOUT PUBLIC HOUSING: WE OFFER FREE HELP TO ELIGIBLE PERSONS WHO HAVE QUESTIONS OR PROBLEMS WITH SECTION 8, TAX CREDIT OR OTHER PUBLIC HOUSING. WE PROVIDE HELP WITH YOUR PUBLIC HOUSING OFFICE AND ITS NOTICES. FOR INSTANCE: QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR RIGHTS TO PUBLIC HOUSING, PROBLEMS WITH YOUR PUBLIC HOUSING CERTIFICATE, PROBLEMS WITH YOUR LANDLORD UNDER PUBLIC HOUSING, TERMINATION OF YOUR PUBLIC HOUSING BENEFITS, CHANGES YOU WANT TO MAKE TO YOUR CURRENT PUBLIC HOUSING SITUATION (SUCH AS MOVING TO ANOTHER PLACE OR ADDING ANOTHER ROOM OR ANOTHER PERSON TO YOUR HOUSING).HOUSING DISCRIMINATION: WE WORK TO STOP HOUSING DISCRIMINATION, ENSURING EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL PEOPLE IN THE CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO; THROUGH OUTREACH, EDUCATION, AND ENFORCEMENT OF FEDERAL AND STATE FAIR HOUSING LAWS.ALL OTHER HOUSING: WE PROVIDE FREE HELP FOR THOSE WHO QUALIFY THAT ARE HAVING HOUSING PROBLEMS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS AS A TENANT, AS WELL AS, THOSE WHO HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT SECURITY DEPOSITS, FORECLOSURES, LOAN MODIFICATIONS AND MOBILE HOMES.SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES CALWORKS/CALFRESH: YOU CAN GET FREE ADVICE FOR QUESTIONS ABOUT GETTING, RECEIVING, OR OWING GENERAL RELIEF, CALWORKS, WELFARE TO WORK, CALFRESH, CAPI, KINGAP, FOSTER CARE, AND ADOPTIVE ASSISTANCE, AS WELL AS, POSSIBLE REPRESENTATION FOR HEARINGS REGARDING THESE BENEFITS, FOR THOSE WHO QUALIFY FOR OUR SERVICES.SSI: WE PROVIDE FREE HELP WITH SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY INSURANCE OR SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME (SSI) CLAIMS. OUR SPECIALLY TRAINED ADVOCATES AND ATTORNEYS HELP WITH ALL ASPECTS OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY AND SSI CLAIMS PROCESS, INCLUDING: INITIAL APPLICATIONS, RECONSIDERATIONS, HEARINGS, CONTINUED DISABILITY REVIEWS AND ALL OTHER APPEALS. THEY WILL PREPARE APPLICATIONS, FILE APPEALS AND OBTAIN MEDICAL AND OTHER EVIDENCE TO PROVE YOUR CLAIM. OUR ATTORNEYS WILL REPRESENT YOU IN SOCIAL SECURITY HEARINGS. ALL OUR SERVICES ARE FREE. WE DO NOT CHARGE, AND WE DO NOT TAKE PART OF YOUR RETROACTIVE BENEFITS WHEN YOU ARE GRANTED.MAINTAINING ECONOMIC STABILITY CONSUMER PROTECTION: THE CONSUMER PROTECTION DIVISION HELPS LOW-INCOME PEOPLE WHO HAVE DISPUTES WITH BUSINESSES. THERE ARE MANY TYPES OF PROBLEMS. HERE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS WE CAN HELP WITH: PROBLEMS WITH BUYING A CAR OR MAKING PAYMENTS, REPOSSESSION, BAD AUTO REPAIRS, IDENTITY THEFT, STUDENT LOANS, HARASSMENT BY DEBT COLLECTORS.CALWORKS/CALFRESH: YOU CAN GET FREE ADVICE FOR QUESTIONS ABOUT GETTING, RECEIVING, OR OWING GENERAL RELIEF, CALWORKS, WELFARE TO WORK, CALFRESH, CAPI, KINGAP, FOSTER CARE, AND ADOPTIVE ASSISTANCE, AS WELL AS, POSSIBLE REPRESENTATION FOR HEARINGS REGARDING THESE BENEFITS, FOR THOSE WHO QUALIFY FOR OUR SERVICES.FEDERAL TAX: WE CAN HELP INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR UNINCORPORATED BUSINESSES WITH CERTAIN KINDS OF TAX PROBLEMS.SAFETY AND STABILITY IMMIGRATION: IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE, WE CAN HELP YOU WITH THE FOLLOWING: FAMILY-BASED IMMIGRATION INCLUDING NATURALIZATION AND CITIZENSHIP, REMOVAL DEFENSE (IMMIGRATION COURT), VAWA, U AND T VISAS, GREEN CARD RENEWAL, WAIVERS.CONSERVATORSHIP: WE HAVE A FREE CLINIC TO HELP WITH CERTAIN TYPES OF CONSERVATORSHIPS. IF A CONSERVATORSHIP IS APPROPRIATE FOR YOUR SITUATION, SOME OF THE WAYS WE CAN ASSIST YOU INCLUDE: PROVIDE A SAMPLE AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING PAPERWORK, REVIEW YOUR PAPERWORK BEFORE YOU FILE, PROVIDE GUIDANCE WITH SERVING CITATION TO THE CONSERVATEE AND NOTICE TO THE APPROPRIATE PARTIES, PREPARE YOU FOR YOUR HEARING, ANSWER QUESTIONS YOU HAVE ABOUT THE CONSERVATORSHIP PROCESS.CHILD CUSTODY/VISITATION/DIVORCE: WE PROVIDE HELP WITH FAMILY LAW PROBLEMS. WE MAY REPRESENT PEOPLE IN DISSOLUTION (DIVORCE) OR PATERNITY CASES WHEN THERE ARE CHILD CUSTODY ISSUES. OUR TOP PRIORITY IS REPRESENTATION OF A PARENT WHO HAS ONGOING PRIMARY PHYSICAL CUSTODY OF THEIR CHILD. WE CAN SOMETIMES REPRESENT A PARENT WHOSE COURT ORDERED VISITATION HAS BEEN FRUSTRATED BY THE OTHER PARENT.DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESTRAINING ORDER: WE HAVE A FREE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESTRAINING ORDER CLINIC LOCATED AT THE SOUTH COUNTY COURTHOUSE. WE CAN ASSIST WITH THE COURT FORMS REQUIRED TO PETITION FOR A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESTRAINING ORDER, ASSIST WITH THE COURT FORMS TO RESPOND TO A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESTRAINING ORDER, PROVIDE INFORMATION/OPTIONS/EDUCATION ON THE LAW, THE COURT PROCESS AND TIMELINES. VICTIMS RECEIVE SAFETY PLAN EDUCATION AND INFORMATION ON SHELTERS AND RESOURCES.ELDER ABUSE RESTRAINING ORDER: WE HAVE A FREE ELDER ABUSE RESTRAINING ORDER CLINIC. WE CAN ASSIST WITH THE COURT FORMS REQUIRED TO PETITION FOR AN ELDER ABUSE RESTRAINING ORDER, ASSIST WITH THE COURT FORMS TO RESPOND TO AN ELDER ABUSE RESTRAINING ORDER, EXPLAIN YOUR LEGAL OPTIONS AND PROVIDE INFORMATION AND EDUCATION ON ELDER ABUSE RESTRAINING ORDERS.CIVIL HARASSMENT RESTRAINING ORDER: WE HAVE A FREE CIVIL HARASSMENT RESTRAINING ORDER CLINIC. WE CAN ASSIST WITH THE COURT FORMS REQUIRED TO PETITION FOR A CIVIL HARASSMENT RESTRAINING ORDER, ASSIST WITH THE COURT FORMS TO RESPOND TO A CIVIL HARASSMENT RESTRAINING ORDER, EXPLAIN YOUR LEGAL OPTIONS AND PROVIDE INFORMATION AND EDUCATION ON CIVIL HARASSMENT RESTRAINING ORDERS.FREE CLINICS: WE OFFER FREE CLINICS CONCERNING THE FOLLOWING TOPICS: FEDERAL TAXES, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, CONSERVATORSHIP, CIVIL HARASSMENT, ELDER ABUSE, CIVIL APPELLATE SELF-HELP, MEDI-CAL/CALWORKS/CALFRESH HEARINGS AND DEBT COLLECTION LAWSUITS.EDUCATION RIGHTS: OUR EDUCATION RIGHTS TEAM ADVOCATES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES SO THAT THEY BENEFIT FROM THE VAST ARRAY OF EDUCATIONAL SERVICES AND SUPPORTS GUARANTEED UNDER THE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT. WE HELP WITH: EDUCATION RECORDS REVIEW AND ANALYSIS, ADVOCACY FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES, 504 PLANS, IEPS, ADVOCACY FOR REGIONAL CENTER SERVICES, HELP GETTING DISTRICT-PAID INDEPENDENT EDUCATIONAL EVALUATIONS, AND HELP FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES FACING SUSPENSION OR EXPULSION. WE ALSO HOLD MONTHLY, ONLINE INFORMATION SESSIONS ON EDUCATION RIGHTS.UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS: OUR UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS (UIB) TEAM WILL HELP INDIVIDUALS WITH ANY UIB ISSUES INCLUDING: ADVICE AND INFORMATION ABOUT APPLYING FOR UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS WITH EDD, HELP UNDERSTANDING BENEFIT DENIALS AND APPEAL RESULT (NOTICE OF DETERMINATION AND DECISION), LEGAL ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE WITH APPEALS TO AN ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE (ALJ), CALIFORNIA UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE APPEALS BOARD (CUIAB) AND SUPERIOR COURT, ESTABLISH INSTALLMENT AGREEMENTS (NOTICES OF OVERPAYMENT AND BENEFIT OVERPAYMENT COLLECTION, NOTICES), AND APPLY FOR OVERPAYMENT. WE ALSO RUN A UIB WALK-IN CLINIC.