Meta: A plain-language 2026 guide to free and low-cost legal aid in Sacramento, CA — including real providers, accurate contacts, eligibility details, and steps to prepare before getting help.
Legal Aid in Sacramento, CA: How to Get Free or Low-Cost Legal Help
If you live in Sacramento and can’t afford a private attorney, there are trusted legal-aid organizations offering free or low-cost services for housing, benefits, family law, consumer protection, and more. This guide explains who to contact and how to get started.
Major Legal Aid Organizations Serving Sacramento
Legal Services of Northern California (LSNC)
What they do: LSNC is the primary civil-legal aid provider for Sacramento County. They assist with evictions, unsafe housing, habitability problems, housing discrimination, public-benefits appeals (CalFresh, Medi-Cal, SSI), elder-law matters, domestic violence–related needs, health-care access, and consumer/debt problems. (lsnc.net)
Who they help: Low-income residents, seniors, and vulnerable individuals who meet eligibility criteria.
Contact: Phone: (916) 551-2150. Address: 515 12th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814. (office locations)
Voluntary Legal Services Program (VLSP) — Sacramento County Bar Association
What they do: Free legal assistance from volunteer attorneys. Services include family law, domestic violence, guardianship, bankruptcy, consumer debt, and housing help. They run advice clinics and workshops throughout the year. (sacbar.org)
Contact: Main line: (916) 564-6707.
LawHelpCA.org
What it does: Statewide directory connecting residents with verified free or low-cost legal support, including immigration, health access, and benefits. (lawhelpca.org)
Sacramento Self-Help Resources & Community Clinics
- Sacramento Superior Court Self-Help Center: Free help with forms and instructions for divorce, custody, restraining orders, evictions, small claims, and name changes. (saccourt.ca.gov/self-help)
- Senior Legal Hotline: Support for those 60+ with elder abuse, consumer issues, benefits, health-access problems, and simple wills.
- Family Justice Center: Domestic violence support, safety planning, and referrals for restraining orders and legal aid. (Family Justice Center)
Common Issues Legal Aid Covers in Sacramento
Common civil matters:
- Evictions, rental disputes, uninhabitable housing, landlord problems
- Housing discrimination
- Public benefits: Medi-Cal, CalFresh, CalWORKs, SSI/SSDI
- Family law (custody, support, DV-related issues)
- Consumer protection, debt collection, bankruptcy help
- Elder-law issues, disability rights, health-access issues
Matters usually not covered:
- Criminal defense
- Business/commercial disputes
- Major personal-injury lawsuits
- High-conflict or high-asset family-law litigation
- Complex immigration litigation
When Sacramento Residents Should Seek Help Immediately
- You received an eviction notice: Contact LSNC immediately—deadlines are short.
- Unsafe housing conditions: Document issues and reach out quickly.
- Benefits denied or reduced: Appeals must be filed promptly.
- Domestic violence or harassment: Contact the Family Justice Center for safety planning and legal help.
- Debt collection or wage garnishment: Keep all paperwork and seek help early.
How to Prepare Before Calling or Applying
- Collect documents: lease agreements, eviction notices, benefits letters, debt letters, ID, pay stubs, medical paperwork, and any court documents.
- Create a timeline: include notice dates, landlord exchanges, benefit reductions, and payment history.
- Have household & income details ready: number of residents, income sources, benefits, disabilities, or senior status.
- Write a short summary: 2–3 sentences explaining your issue and what help you need.
- Note urgent factors: risk of homelessness, disability, domestic violence, or major health issues.
Alternatives if You Don’t Qualify for Free Aid
- VLSP: Some programs accept individuals slightly above income limits.
- SCBA Lawyer Referral Service: Low-cost consultations with vetted attorneys.
- Self-Help Center: Free guidance for self-represented residents.
- LawHelpCA.org: Directory of additional statewide providers.
Conclusion: Where to Start
If you need civil legal help in Sacramento, begin with Legal Services of Northern California at (916) 551-2150. They address the most common legal issues facing renters, families, seniors, and low-income residents. If they can’t help, try the Voluntary Legal Services Program or the Sacramento Self-Help Center. Having documents, a timeline, and a clear summary ready will help you get assistance faster.