Healthcare and Benefits Access
The Health and Economic Security Program provides legal services to people at risk of poor health due to poverty and other destabilizing social conditions. We provide free legal advice and representation for:
- Appeals for denied, terminated or reduced public benefits, for example SSI/SSDI, In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS), Medi-Cal, General Assistance, CAPI, CalWORKS, and CalFresh.
- California Employment Development Department (EDD) programs (SDI, unemployment, paid family leave).
- Simple wills and advance healthcare directives.
- Additional legal matters where we can provide information or referrals, including eviction defense, consumer justice, immigration, and family law.
We also have a medical-legal partnership with our partners at Highland Hospital, Children’s Hospital Oakland, and other community health organizations. Please note that you cannot apply for these services directly and we only accept new cases by referral from one of our medical partners.
HIV Services
The Health and Economic Security Program provides dedicated services to people living with HIV/AIDS. In addition to the healthcare and public benefits services listed above, we can assist people living with HIV/AIDS with:
- Housing matters including eviction prevention, habitability violations, rent increases, subsidized housing appeals, and requests for reasonable accommodations
Name and Gender Change Services
How to Access our Services
If you require legal services from our program, please call (510) 548-4040 and leave a message the team. Clearly state your full name, your phone number, and a brief description of your issue.
Eligibility for Services
We will determine your eligibility for services after we have completed an intake assessment. In general, our HIV/AIDS law services are available to people who have an HIV/AIDS diagnosis (or care for someone with a diagnosis), live in Alameda or Contra Costa County, and meet our income eligibility requirements.
For information about other service providers who may be able to help with your issue, please see our Health and Economic Security referrals page.