brief explainer of the focus areas

Accessing Income Support

Legal Aid helps adults and families living with the constant stress of being unable to make ends meet. Programs designed to provide modest assistance have their own complex rules and regulations. We help people through the safety net assistance system and enforce their legal rights so they can stay on their feet until things improve. See below for some of Legal Aid SMC’s Income Support programs.

Bridging the Education Gap

Legal Aid helps children with special needs seeking a fair and appropriate education, and teen parents struggling to get an education while raising a family. Our community thrives when all children receive the education that best meets their individual needs.

Fighting for Freedom from Domestic Violence

Legal Aid helps survivors of domestic violence by providing pro bono representation at permanent restraining order hearings, which result in long-term restraining orders and custody, support, and visitation orders.  Legal Aid’s Senior Advocates program also helps seniors experiencing elder abuse; its Teen Parents’ Project helps pregnant and parenting teens experiencing dating and domestic violence.

Obtaining Healthcare

Legal Aid helps children, adults, and seniors facing legal barriers to obtaining health care. We also engage in systemic advocacy on a county and statewide level, helping thousands of people get well and stay well.

Preventing Homelessness

Legal Aid helps low-income individuals and families faced with renting in an area of limited housing and high rents, who need legal assistance to have a place to live. We help thousands in our community stay in their homes and we help ensure that their homes are safe and healthy.