How We Can Help
Legal advocacy, education, and resources for vulnerable and low-income san diego county residents
LASSD provides free, high-quality legal assistance to people in San Diego County who are lower income or may be vulnerable in other ways. Call 1-877-534-2524 to see if you qualify. At our self-help clinics, we can help anyone of any income level.
• You can apply by calling us at 1-877-534-2524
• For health access issues 1-877-734-3258
• Visit an LASSD office
• Submit through our online form
LASSD does not handle: criminal law; police misconduct; attorney misconduct; car accidents; personal injury, small claims; credit counseling; probate/wills, medical malpractice, child welfare/dependency cases.
No, LASSD provides free, high-quality legal assistance to people in San Diego County who are lower income or may be vulnerable in other ways. We are a certified nonprofit and our work is funded by the Legal Services Corporation, the State of California, and others.
Our Services
- Civil Appeals
- Conservatorship Clinic
- Consumer Protection and Bankruptcy
- Education Rights
- Eviction Defense
- Family Law
- Health Care and Coverage
- Housing Discrimination
- Immigration
- Landlord Tenant Issues, Public Housing and Foreclosure
- Mental Health & Substance Abuse Patients’ Rights
- Name and Gender Marker Changes
- Public Benefits
- Restraining Orders
- SSI Benefits
- SSI for Children
- Taxpayer Rights and Education
- Unemployment Insurance Benefits
- Walk-In Legal Clinics
Civil Appeals (self-help workshop)
Are you a party to a civil case on appeal in the California Court of Appeal, Fourth District? Have you filed your notice of appeal? Do you now need help working your way through the appeal process (because you are without an attorney)? The Civil Appellate Self-Help Workshop will give you information on procedures and resources to handle your own appeal.
Call 619-471-2781 to register for the workshop (leave a message)
Hours of Operation: Third Tuesday of every month: 3:45 PM to 6:00 PM
Conservatorship Clinics
Go directly to our walk-in Conservatorship clinic location to get information, education, and assistance completing paperwork related to the Conservatorship process. We also provide information on alternatives to Conservatorship. No appointment is needed and services are offered on a first come, first served basis.
Location: Central Courthouse - Room 541
1100 Union Street, San Diego, CA 92101
Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
***Clinics are closed on court holidays. Check court holidays here***
Consumer Protection and Bankruptcy
We help with issues around debt collection, repossession, sales contracts, car contracts, identity theft, student loans, medical debt, scams, and bankruptcy.
Education Rights
We can help you understand and resolve problems related to your child’s education rights such as special education assessments, special education rights during distance learning, preparing for your child's IEP meeting, how to request education records, and due process rights.
Eviction Defense
We have many ways to help if you are being evicted. We can tell you what your rights are and what you can do to protect yourself and your family.
Family Law
We help with family law matters such as custody, domestic violence, divorce, paternity, and child and spousal support.
Health Coverage (such as Medi-Cal) and Access to Care (such as medications and mental health services)
We help you understand and resolve problems with health coverage options like Covered California, Medi-Cal, Medicare, Cal MediConnect, County Medical Services, and others. We also help appeal disputes and denials from health coverage programs. We can also help with problems you have with non-residential and outpatient mental health and substance abuse disorder services.
Housing discrimination
You can make a fair housing complaint with us for discrimination based on a protected class, related to housing, that occurred within San Diego County. We are here to stop housing discrimination and to be sure there is equal housing opportunity for all.
Immigration
We help with immigration needs like family-based immigration, naturalization and citizenship, removal defense (Immigration Court), VAWA, U and T visas, green card renewal, and waivers.
Landlord Tenant Issues, Public Housing, and Foreclosure
We help you understand your rights and responsibilities as a tenant including Eviction, landlord notices, public housing (like section 8), and other housing issues like foreclosure, or home loan problems.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Patients’ Rights
We help you understand and resolve problems with health coverage options like Covered California, Medi-Cal, Medicare, Cal MediConnect, County Medical Services, and others. We also help appeal disputes and denials from health coverage programs. We can also help with problems you have with non-residential and outpatient mental health and substance abuse disorder services.
Name or gender marker changes
Go directly to our walk-in Name and and Gender Marker Changes clinic to get information, education, and assistance completing paperwork to legally change your name or gender markers. No appointment is needed, and services are offered on a first come, first served basis.
Location: Hall of Justice, 330 W. Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101
Hours: Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM
Check court holiday closures here
Public Benefits
We help with problems getting or keeping benefits, such as General Relief, CalWorks, Welfare to Work, CalFresh, CAPI, KinGap, Foster Care, and Adoptive Assistance. We can advise you and may be able to represent you if you have requested a hearing.
Restraining orders
Restraining orders can be used when you experience abuse, threats of abuse, stalking, sexual assault, or other serious harassment. Go directly to one of our walk-in restraining order clinics to get help with domestic violence, elder abuse, and civil harassment restraining orders. We help with the court forms required to apply for a restraining order, as well as information on the law, the court process, and timelines. We also provide education on safety plans, shelters, and other resources. No appointment is needed, and services are offered on a first come, first served basis.
SSI benefits
We help with all aspects of the Social Security Disability (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims process, including initial applications, reconsiderations, hearings, continued disability reviews, and all other appeals.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for children
LASSD can provide legal representation with every aspect of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) process for children who have a qualifying medical condition and meet financial eligibility requirements.
Taxpayer Rights and Education
We help with federal tax disputes and for some CA state tax issues including audits, missing refunds or payments, and tax debt payment plans.
Unemployment insurance benefits
We help with Unemployment Insurance Benefits with EDD.
Walk-In Legal Clinics
You can go directly to our walk-in legal clinics to get information, education, and assistance completing paperwork related to common legal issues. In most cases, no appointment is needed, and services are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Learn more about our walk-in legal clinics.
Speak with someone in person
at one of our office locations
Southeast San Diego Office
110 S. Euclid Avenue
San Diego, CA 92114
Midtown San Diego Office
1764 San Diego Avenue, Suite 100
San Diego, CA 92110
North County Office
100 E. San Marcos Blvd, Suite 308
San Marcos, CA 92069
All offices open Mon-Fri 9:00 am to 5:00 pm