Find Legal Aid in Berkeley, CA: Free Legal Help for Low-Income Residents

LegalAidOffices.com provides a comprehensive list of all legal aid offices in Berkeley, California, including their contact information, addresses, and the types of legal services they offer.

Our listings include such as type of law (Domestic violence, family law, housing rental evictions or home foreclosures, public assistance such as medicaid, food stamps, SSI Disability, SSDI benefits, public housing evictions, disability beneifts, etc.).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is legal aid?
Legal aid is free or low-cost legal assistance for people who cannot afford to hire a private lawyer. Legal aid organizations can help people with a wide range of legal problems, including family law, criminal law, civil law, and immigration law.

Who is eligible for legal aid?
Eligibility for legal aid varies depending on the specific legal aid organization and the type of legal problem. However, most legal aid organizations have income guidelines that must be met. Some legal aid organizations also have other eligibility requirements, such as residency requirements or citizenship requirements.

How much does legal aid cost?
Legal aid services are free or low-cost. The amount you pay will depend on your income and the type of legal services you receive.

How do I apply for legal aid?
To apply for legal aid, you will need to contact a legal aid organization and complete an application form. The application form will ask you for information about your income, assets, and the legal problem you are facing.

How long does it take to get legal aid?
The amount of time it takes to get legal aid varies depending on the legal aid organization and the type of legal problem you have. However, most legal aid organizations will try to process applications as quickly as possible.

Choose from the list below to find a legal aid office that can help you.




  • Homeless Action Center - Berkeley Office Email Website Learn more 3126 Shattuck Avenue
    Berkeley, CA - 94705
    (510) 540-0878
    The Homeless Action Center provides free legal assistance with a range of public benefits programs, including Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Medi-Cal, CalWorks, General Assistance (GA), Food Stamps, and Cash Assistance Programs for Immigrants (CAPI). We also provide informal advice and referrals for non-benefits related legal issues. Eligibility: We provide free legal assistance to people on public benefits (example SSDI, Food Stamps, General Assistance, CAPI). Also low income persons in the county. Drop In Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday:&...See Full Details
  • East Bay Sanctuary Covenant Email Website Learn more 2362 Bancroft Way
    Berkeley, CA - 94704
    (510) 540-5296
    East Bay Sanctuary Covenant is dedicated to offering sanctuary, solidarity, support, community organizing assistance, advocacy, and legal services to those escaping war, terror, political persecution, intolerance, exploitation, and other expressions of violence. EBSC works with low-income and poor refugees and immigrants in the Bay Area. We work especially closely with vulnerable populations within Bay Areas immigrant and refugee community, including, victims of Gender-Based Violence and Domestic Violence, indigenous Guatemalans, LGBT individuals and those suffering from HIV/AIDS, as well as ...See Full Details
  • East Bay Community Law Center Email Website Learn more 2921 Adeline Street
    Berkeley, CA - 94705
    (510) 548-4040
    Mission: To promote justice and build a community that is more healthy, secure, productive and hopeful by providing Legal services and policy advocacy that are responsive to the needs of low-income communities, and law training that prepares future attorneys to be skilled and principled advocates that are committed to finding innovative solutions to the cause and conditions of poverty. For Consumers, attorneys and advocates can provide the following types of assistance:     -Defending consumers on debt-collection lawsuits     -Protecting consumers assets by conte...See Full Details
  • Social Justice Collaborative Berkeley Website Learn more 1832 Second Street
    Berkeley, CA - 94710
    (510) 992-3964
    We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit protecting the rights of refugees who are being targeted by the US government. Some of the most vulnerable immigrants seek out help at SJC because they do not know where else to turn to.  They depend on us to help from start to finish. And thats what we do - SJC doesnt refer cases, we finish the hardest cases from the start. SJCs programs include full-scope deportation defense, appeals, and federal litigation FULL-SCOPE DEPORTATION DEFENSE We are a nonprofit that represents immigrants and refugees in deportation proceedings. We keep families together by def...See Full Details


Area Legal Aid Offices

Due to the low number of listings in Berkeley, we have added area listings below. All listings are within 30 miles of Berkeley.
  • AIDS Legal Referral Panel Email Website Learn more 1663 Mission Street
    San Francisco, CA - 94103
    (415) 701-1100
    ALRPs mission is to help people with HIV/AIDS maintain or improve their health by resolving their legal issues. ALRP accomplishes this mission by providing free and low-cost legal services to people with HIV/AIDS in the San Francisco Bay Area. ALRP Legal Help is Not a Luxury. ALRP staff and Panel Attorneys handle most any type of civil legal issue. Criminal legal issues are not eligible for our services. Types of legal issues include:     -Bankruptcy     -Credit     -Confidentiality     -Conservatorship     -Contrac...See Full Details
    Legal Aid Location:: 11 miles from Berkeley
  • Legal Services for Children Email Website Learn more 1254 Market St.
    San Francisco, CA - 94102
    (415) 863-3762
    If you are under age 21 and live in Northern California, LSC can do a free legal screening with you and advise you about your legal options. If you qualify for SIJS, DACA, T Visa, or U Visa (lawful immigration relief options) and live in San Francisco county, we may be able to represent you in your case for free. We offer services in English and Spanish, and can access translators for some other languages. Call our Warmline at (415) 863-3762 to learn what legal options are available for you. Hours: Mon, Wed & Thurs: 1:30 to 4:30 pm DROP-IN CLINIC HOURS Wed: 4:00 to 6:00 pm Thurs: 3:00 to 5:0...See Full Details
    Legal Aid Location:: 10 miles from Berkeley
  • All for the Family Legal Clinic Email Website Learn more 3137 Castro Valey Blvd
    Castro Valley, CA - 94546
    (510) 999-7732
    All for the Family Legal Clinic, Inc. provides low cost legal assistance. Service Area: San Francisco Bay Area. Payments: They charge based on a sliding scale taking into account both income and family size. They focus on : Restraining Order Assistance Divorces Custody Disputes/Modifications Estate Planning Probate Immigration ...See Full Details
    Legal Aid Location:: 16 miles from Berkeley
  • Legal Services of Northern California Vallejo Email Website Learn more 1810 Capitol Street
    Vallejo, CA - 94590
    (707) 643-0054
    Services legal aid clients in Solano County that are low income. Legal cases handles: Housing, public benefits, health care benefits, employment law, education, senior issues (consumer cases) ...See Full Details
    Legal Aid Location:: 16 miles from Berkeley
  • Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area Email Website Learn more 131 Steuart Street
    San Francisco, CA - 94105
    (415) 543-9444
    Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area, founded in 1968, works to advance, protect and promote the legal rights of communities of color, and low-income persons, immigrants, and refugees. Assisted by hundreds of pro bono attorneys, LCCR provides free legal assistance and representation to individuals on civil legal matters through direct services, impact litigation and policy advocacy. ...See Full Details
    Legal Aid Location:: 8 miles from Berkeley

Tips for Getting Free Legal Aid

Contact the legal aid offices from the list above.

1. Apply for government programs.
There are a number of government programs that provide legal assistance to low-income individuals and families.

2. Check with local law schools.
Many law schools have legal clinics that offer free or low-cost legal services to the public.

3. Ask for pro bono help.
Pro bono is Latin for "for the good of the public." Pro bono lawyers are lawyers who volunteer their time to provide free legal services to low-income individuals and families. To find a pro bono lawyer, you can contact a legal aid organization or the State of California Bar.

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Important Information

Legal Aid Funding
Legal aid professionals and organizations oftentimes receive government funding for taking on cases with those who cannot afford attorneys. For the most part, funding is limited so legal aid entities can only take on a limited amount of cases. Qualifications are often rigid.

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