Legal Aid in San Diego, CA: How to Get Help in San Diego County

If you live in San Diego and you can’t afford a private attorney, there are several real and verified organizations offering free or low-cost civil legal aid. This guide will help you understand who to contact, what they handle, and how best to prepare before you call or apply.

Major legal aid organizations serving San Diego

Legal Aid Society of San Diego (LASSD)

What they do: LASSD provides free civil-legal services to low-income or vulnerable residents of San Diego County. Their services include eviction defense, landlord/tenant issues, housing discrimination, foreclosure prevention, public-benefits problems (Medi-Cal, food aid, cash aid), consumer protection and bankruptcy support, family law (custody, support, restraining orders), education rights, health-coverage disputes, immigration assistance, and other civil matters.

Who they help: People who meet income eligibility guidelines — call to confirm.

How to contact: Call 1-877-LEGAL-AID (1-877-534-2524). Offices include a Southeast San Diego office (110 S. Euclid Ave), a Midtown office (1764 San Diego Ave), and a North-County office (100 E. San Marcos Blvd, Suite 308).

San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program (SDVLP)

What they do: SDVLP coordinates volunteer attorneys to provide pro-bono or low-cost legal help to eligible low-income residents. They cover a range of civil issues including housing, family law, restraining orders, immigration/legal-status assistance, and more.

How to contact: Visit their website or call the main number listed on their site.

University of San Diego & Local Law-School Clinics

What they do: The law-school clinics (e.g. at University of San Diego) offer free or low-cost legal services, often staffed by law students under supervision. They handle various civil matters and can be a good option for individuals with limited means.

Additional Support & Referral Options

• Legal-information & self-help services via court / county programs: For example, the local courts provide self-help centers, referral services, and access to forms for family law, custody, small claims, etc.
• Specialized clinics & non-profits: For seniors, immigrants, or specific issues (immigration, health-care access, public-benefits), there are targeted legal-aid providers — sometimes via non-profits listed in the county’s legal-aid directory.

Typical issues these providers handle — and what to expect

Common civil-law areas covered:

• Evictions, landlord/tenant disputes, unsafe or uninhabitable housing
• Foreclosure prevention, housing discrimination, public-housing issues
• Public-benefits problems (Medi-Cal, food aid, cash aid, SSI, disability, health-coverage disputes)
• Debt collection, consumer protection, bankruptcy help
• Family law: custody, child support, domestic violence, restraining orders
• Immigration or legal-status assistance (where eligible)
• Education rights, health-care access issues, elder-law problems

What is usually not covered: These civil-aid providers typically do not handle criminal defense (unless court-appointed), complex business litigation, large personal-injury lawsuits, high-asset divorces, or other specialized commercial/legal issues. Always confirm eligibility when contacting.

When to reach out for legal help right away

• Eviction notice, lockout, or unsafe housing conditions: Contact LASSD immediately — housing-related deadlines move fast.
• Domestic violence or threat to safety: For restraining orders, housing or custody matters — reach out ASAP.
• Benefits denial (health, food aid, cash assistance): Appeals may have short deadlines — don’t wait.
• Debt collection, wage theft, or foreclosure risk: Collect documents and reach out as soon as possible for help or guidance.
• Immigration/status issues: Some providers may have limited availability — call promptly to check eligibility.

How to prepare before you call or apply

1. Collect all relevant paperwork: lease/rent agreement, eviction or notice letters, court paperwork, pay stubs, benefits notices, debt collection letters, IDs, etc.
2. Prepare a timeline: note dates when problems started — rent missed, eviction notice received, benefits cut, wage issue, etc.
3. Know your household and income info: total members of household, monthly income, benefits, children, disabilities, etc. Many programs use this for eligibility screening.
4. Write a short summary of your legal issue: what happened, what you need (eviction defense, benefits help, custody, debt help, etc.), and why it matters now (unsafe housing, risk of homelessness, health, children, etc.).
5. Note any urgent or special circumstances: domestic violence, disability, immigration status, children involved, health conditions, or other vulnerabilities — these may affect priority or eligibility.

Alternatives if you don’t qualify for full free aid

• Volunteer-attorney programs (e.g. SDVLP): May provide advice or limited-scope representation if income is too high for full aid.
• Law-school clinics: Sometimes accept cases for little or no cost — especially for housing, immigration, benefits, or consumer issues.
• Self-help resources and court self-help centers: For simpler matters you may qualify to represent yourself — helpful when legal aid is unavailable.

Conclusion: Where to Start in San Diego

If you need civil-legal help in San Diego and you’re low-income or in a vulnerable situation, start with Legal Aid Society of San Diego — call 1-877-534-2524. If they can’t take your case, try the San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program or a law-school clinic. Always gather documentation and prepare a clear summary of your issue before calling — this helps speed up intake and gives you the best shot at getting help.