Office Information
| Name: | Senior Legal Services Project |
| Address: | 3232 S. Higuera St., San Luis Obispo, CA - 93401 |
| Phone: | (805) 543-5140 |
| Fax: |
Service Information
Provides free legal services to seniors aged 60 and older in San Luis Obispo County through the Senior Legal Services Project.
- offers individuals confidential advice and counsel by appointment.
Senior Legal Services Project is especially concerned that those most in need receive assistance housing needs (landlord-tenant, evictions, nursing homes and board and care situations), and protection from elder abuse situations. The Project also helps clients in financial distress deal with aggressive creditors. The Project refers estate planning needs, such as wills and trusts, to private attorneys; however the Project does help clients prepare Durable Powers of Attorney for finances and Advance Health Care Directives. Services are available, however, regardless of income status.
Family Law Advice Clinic
Volunteer attorneys provide free legal advice on matters of family law to eligible SLO County residents who meet California State Bar income guidelines for free assistance and lack legal representation at the time of their appointment.
Attorneys are available by appointment only, on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month, from 4PM to 6PM at the SLO College of Law campus, located at 4119 Broad Street, Suite 200, in San Luis Obispo. A $20 intake fee will be assessed prior to the appointment to secure a time slot.
To make an appointment, or for more information about eligibility, please call 805-548-0794, or click here to request an appointment online. Prospective clients must either call this number directly, or schedule an appointment through the link above, as there are no "walk-in" legal services available.
Veterans Assistance Program
In collaboration with Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo and other community partners, SLOLAF provides free legal assistance to eligible veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless in an effort to help the veteran make a successful transition to permanent housing. Please call (805) 237-0352 to be connected with a CAPSLO case worker who can help determine eligibility.
Program Components include:
CASE MANAGEMENT
Case managers work with participants and match unmet needs with resources both internally and externally. Follow up and retention services are available to participants to provide sustainability.
OUTREACH
SSVF staff participates in local job fairs, Stand Downs, Veteran organization events, community functions, and collaborates with additional service providers to reach Veterans.
LEGAL ASSISTANCE
Legal Alternatives of San Luis Obispo provides participants with individualized counseling services to help resolve housing barriers and assist with other civil legal issues.
Mission Statement: The mission of SLO Legal Assistance is to develop programs in San Luis Obispo County that provide and promote free legal-aid services, assistance in self-representation, and conflict resolution for low and moderate income individuals, including seniors and veterans. Services, provided by trained attorneys and paralegals, include direct legal representation, educating clients for self-representation, and facilitating conflict resolution.
Frequently Asked Questions about Legal Aid
- What is legal aid?
Legal aid is free or low-cost legal assistance for people who cannot afford to hire a lawyer. Legal aid organizations provide a variety of legal services, including advice, representation, and advocacy, to help low-income people resolve their civil legal problems.
- Who is eligible for legal aid?
Eligibility for legal aid varies depending on the organization. Generally, legal aid organizations serve people with incomes below a certain level, as determined by the federal poverty guidelines. Some legal aid organizations also have additional eligibility criteria, such as citizenship status or immigration status.
- What kind of cases does legal aid handle?
Legal aid organizations handle a wide range of civil legal problems, including:
* Housing* Education* Employment* Family law* Immigration* Public benefits* Consumer law* Health care* Disability rights
- How do I get legal aid?
To get legal aid, you can contact your local legal aid organization or a state or national legal aid hotline. Legal aid organizations typically have intake interviews to determine eligibility and assess the need for legal assistance.
- Is legal aid free?
Legal aid is generally free for eligible clients. However, some legal aid organizations may charge for certain services, such as filing fees or expert witness fees.
- What if I don’t qualify for legal aid?
If you do not qualify for legal aid, there are other options available to you, such as pro bono lawyers or legal self-help resources. Pro bono lawyers are lawyers who volunteer their time to provide free legal services to low-income people. Legal self-help resources can provide you with information and tools to help you represent yourself in court.
Here are some additional frequently asked questions about legal aid:
- What is the difference between legal aid and a public defender?
Legal aid organizations provide free or low-cost legal assistance to people with civil legal problems. Public defenders provide free legal assistance to people who are accused of crimes.
- Can I get legal aid for a criminal case?
No, legal aid organizations do not provide legal assistance for criminal cases. Criminal cases are handled by public defenders.
- How can I find a legal aid organization near me?
You can find a legal aid organization near you by visiting the website of the Legal Services Corporation (LSC), the national organization that funds legal aid programs. The LSC website has a directory of legal aid organizations by state and county.
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