Meta: A clear, plain-language guide to free and low-cost legal aid in Fresno, CA — including real organizations, accurate contact details, and steps to prepare before you reach out.
Legal Aid in Fresno, CA: How to Get Free or Low-Cost Help
If you live in Fresno and need legal help but can’t afford a private attorney, there are reliable legal-aid organizations that serve low-income residents of Fresno County. This guide walks you through who to contact, what they handle, and how to prepare before reaching out.
Major legal aid organizations serving Fresno
Central California Legal Services (CCLS)
What they do: CCLS is the primary civil-legal aid provider for Fresno County. They handle evictions, unsafe housing, tenant-rights issues, consumer/debt problems, public-benefits denials (CalFresh, SSI, Medi-Cal), elder-abuse prevention, health-care access issues, domestic violence, family-law matters (in eligible circumstances), and immigration-related help for certain humanitarian matters. They also run community clinics and workshops. (centralcallegal.org)
Who they help: Low-income individuals, seniors, and vulnerable residents who meet eligibility guidelines. (Apply for services)
How to contact: Phone: (559) 570-1200 (Fresno office). Walk-in hours and clinics vary by day — check online for updates. (Fresno location details)
Fresno County Superior Court Self-Help Center
What they do: Provides free help with court forms, instructions, and workshops for people representing themselves. Common areas include family law, guardianship, restraining orders, eviction paperwork, small claims, name changes, and more. They cannot give legal advice but can guide you through procedures. (fresno.courts.ca.gov/self-help)
LawHelpCA.org (Statewide Legal Aid Directory)
What they do: Helps residents in Fresno find verified, free, or low-cost legal-aid providers in areas like immigration, housing, public benefits, and health access. (lawhelpca.org)
Additional community clinics & support providers
- Fresno Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service: Connects residents with private attorneys for a modest-cost initial consultation. (fresnobar.org)
- Senior Legal Services (Fresno-Madera Area Agency on Aging): Helps adults 60+ with housing issues, elder abuse, consumer disputes, simple wills, and benefits problems. (fmaaa.org)
- Community-based domestic-violence support centers: Many Fresno providers offer domestic violence safety planning, restraining-order support, and referrals to legal-aid providers (via local nonprofits listed through the county and LawHelpCA).
Common legal issues covered — and what’s usually not covered
Civil issues commonly covered in Fresno:
- Eviction defense, rental disputes, unsafe housing, landlord-tenant issues
- Housing discrimination, habitability cases
- Debt collection, fraud, scams, wage garnishment issues
- Public benefits: Medi-Cal, CalFresh, CalWORKs, SSI issues
- Family law: custody, child support, divorce (limited), domestic violence
- Health-access and elder-law matters
- Limited immigration support (humanitarian matters only)
Issues legal-aid groups usually do NOT handle:
- Criminal cases (misdemeanors, felonies, DUI, traffic)
- Business/commercial disputes
- Large personal-injury cases
- High-asset divorce or custody battles
- Complex immigration litigation
When Fresno residents should reach out immediately
- You receive an eviction notice: Contact CCLS right away — housing deadlines move quickly.
- Unsafe or uninhabitable conditions: CCLS and self-help centers offer guidance on tenant rights.
- Domestic violence or threats: Seek safety first; then contact support organizations or the Self-Help Center for restraining-order forms.
- Benefits stopped or denied: Appeal deadlines are short — reach out as soon as possible.
- Debt collection or wage garnishment: Save all paperwork and call CCLS.
- Elder abuse concerns: Contact Senior Legal Services immediately.
How to prepare before calling or applying
- Gather all documents: lease agreements, notices, eviction papers, debt letters, benefits notices, medical documentation, pay stubs, ID, and any court papers.
- Write a timeline: note key dates — when issues began, when notices arrived, missed payments, benefit cuts, landlord communications, etc.
- Have income & household information ready: number of people, income sources, benefits received, health conditions, senior/disability status.
- Prepare a short summary of your issue: 2–3 sentences explaining what happened and what help you need.
- List urgent factors: risk of homelessness, domestic violence, elder/senior status, disabilities, or medical issues.
Alternatives if you're not eligible for free legal aid
- Fresno Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service: Low-cost consult with a private attorney.
- Self-help center at Fresno County Superior Court: Free guidance on forms and procedures.
- Senior Legal Services: Free support for residents aged 60+.
- LawHelpCA.org: Additional statewide legal-aid listings and referral tools.
Conclusion: Where Fresno residents should start
If you need civil legal help in Fresno, start with Central California Legal Services (CCLS) at (559) 570-1200. They handle the most common legal issues faced by homeowners, renters, families, seniors, and low-income residents. If you don’t qualify, the Fresno County Self-Help Center, the Fresno Bar Association’s lawyer-referral program, and Senior Legal Services are strong alternatives. Always gather documents, prepare a clear summary, and note any urgent issues before calling — it helps you get assistance faster.