Resources · Legal help
Free legal help and your rights
Free legal aid, immigration help, tenant and consumer rights, record clearing, and where to turn when a benefit is denied.
Asistencia legal gratuita, ayuda migratoria, derechos de inquilinos y consumidores, limpieza de antecedentes y a dónde acudir si niegan un beneficio.
9 programs · updated from the Resources database; every number is checked on the program's own page.
Auburn | Legal Services of Northern California
Auburn | Servicios Legales del Norte de California - Asistencia legal gratuita para residentes de bajos ingresos en los condados de Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Nevada, Placer y Sierra, incluyendo vivienda, beneficios publicos y Medi-Cal.
- Worth
- Free legal assistance with housing, public benefits, Medi-Cal, Social Security, SSI, and more
- Who qualifies
- Low-income residents of Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, and Sierra counties
- Phone
- (530) 823-7560 / (800) 660-6107
- Website
- lsnc.net/office/auburn
CalVCB - CA Victim Compensation Board
CalVCB (Junta de Compensación a Víctimas de California) reembolsa gastos causados por delitos violentos: médicos y dentales, terapia, pérdida de ingresos, funeral, reubicación y seguridad del hogar, hasta $70,000 por víctima. Presente su solicitud dentro de siete años del delito (o reglas posteriores). Solicite en victims.ca.gov o llame al 800-777-9229.
- Worth
- Up to $70,000 per victim
- Who qualifies
- victims of crime
- Phone
- 800-777-9229 – CalVCB toll-free (victims.ca.gov/contact-us)
- Website
- victims.ca.gov
Community Beyond Violence
Comunidad Más Allá de la Violencia
- Who qualifies
- survivors of interpersonal violence and their families
- Phone
- - (530) 272‑3467 – 24‑hour crisis line - (530) 272‑2046 – business line
- Website
- cbv.org
CORP (Bar Association of San Francisco): free legal help for Northern California nonprofits
CORP (Colegio de Abogados de San Francisco): ayuda legal gratis para organizaciones sin fines de lucro del norte de California CORP, un programa del Justice & Diversity Center del Colegio de Abogados de San Francisco, conecta a organizaciones 501(c)(3) del norte de California con abogados voluntarios para ayuda legal gratis, por ejemplo sobre estatutos y gobierno corporativo. Requisitos: estar en el norte de California, dar servicios directos a personas de bajos ingresos o subrepresentadas, y no poder pagar un abogado. Se solicita en línea en sfbar.org; no se garantiza un abogado.
- Worth
- Free pro bono attorney help for nonprofits (by application)
- Who qualifies
- 501(c)(3) nonprofits located in Northern California that provide direct services to low-income or underrepresented people and can't afford legal services
- Website
- sfbar.org/jdc/jdc-legal-services-programs/corp/existing-nonprofits
Free legal service for low income inventors
Servicio legal gratuito para inventores de bajos ingresos - El Programa de Asistencia para Inventores de California (CIAP) ofrece servicios legales gratuitos a inventores independientes y pequenas empresas con recursos limitados. Los honorarios legales son gratuitos, pero otros costos como tarifas de presentacion son responsabilidad del inventor.
- Worth
- $
- Who qualifies
- Inventors in CA, HI, AK, OR, or NV with gross household income under 3× federal poverty level (~$47,880/yr for 1; ~$99,000/yr for family of 4 in 2026). Must have an actual invention and complete a free 39-min USPTO training video.
- Phone
- (415) 775-7200
- Website
- calawyersforthearts.org/california-inventors-assistance-program-ciap-cla
Free tax help from IRS-certified volunteers. | GetYourRefund
Ayuda gratuita para impuestos de voluntarios certificados por el IRS. | GetYourRefund
- Who qualifies
- households earning under $69,000; households earning under $89,000; people with disability or limited English; residents of all 50 states; Spanish speakers
- Phone
- 211 – general assistance line
- Website
- getyourrefund.org/en
Public charge rule changed Sept. 18, 2026 — free immigration legal help before you drop any benefit (CDSS-funded nonprofits)
La regla de carga pública cambió el 18 de septiembre de 2026 — ayuda legal de inmigración gratuita antes de dejar cualquier beneficio (organizaciones financiadas por CDSS)
- Worth
- $0 (free legal services from CDSS-funded nonprofits)
- Who qualifies
- Immigrants who live in, or used to live in, California. The new federal policy applies to green card (adjustment of status) applications filed on or after Sept. 18, 2026; State Department visa processing has its own new guidance. It may not apply to you: ask a qualified provider before changing benefits
- Phone
- none – use the CDSS provider map to find a nearby nonprofit
- Website
- cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/immigration/contractor-contact-information
United Policyholders — free nonprofit help with home insurance claims, the FAIR Plan and wildfire-risk discounts
United Policyholders — ayuda gratuita sin fines de lucro con reclamos de seguro de vivienda, el FAIR Plan y descuentos por reducir el riesgo de incendios
- Worth
- $0
- Who qualifies
- Anyone with, or shopping for, insurance (all 50 states); focus on homeowners and renters after disasters and in wildfire areas
- Phone
- none – email info@uphelp.org
- Website
- uphelp.org
Vote by November 3, 2026 — accessible voting options in California (until Nov 3)
Vota a más tardar el 3 de noviembre de 2026 — opciones de votación accesible en California (hasta el 3 de nov.)
- Worth
- Free; your right to vote privately and independently
- Who qualifies
- Anyone eligible to vote in California. Same Day Voter Registration lets you register and vote in person through November 3.
- Phone
- (800) 345-8683
- Website
- sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/voters-disabilities