Patient Materials: Community Resources
TOOLKIT
Care providers play a vital role in helping families maintain access to public benefits and trusted legal services.
Uncertainty in U.S. federal immigration policies often fuels fear, leaving families vulnerable to misinformation and fraudulent legal practices.
By identifying and, ideally, building partnerships with key local resources—such as legal aid, public assistance programs, and community organizations—you can guide patients to trustworthy support for their needs.
We have listed a number of legal aid organizations below; clients can also be referred to pro bono clinics at law schools, including UC Law pro bono services and UC Berkeley Law immigration clinic.
Public Benefits & Community Resources for Patients
Online benefits finder. Undocumented immigrants are not eligible for most federal benefits, but many states provide some benefits that do not require documentation status. This site can be searched by state, benefit type, or families can enter their information for a personalized list. It is ideal if families in need of assistance can beet with a social worker or other specialized provider to help them navigate the system. Since this is a government site, patients should be cautious about entering too much personal information.
Supervisor Keith Carson & Asian Community Collaborative
East Bay Local Resource Guide for Immigrant & Refugee Services
FAQ for recipient of San Francisco Public Benefits
See the Provider Education: Using Public Benefits section for more information.
Legal Aid Organizations
National Lawyers Guild: National Immigration Project
National database of National Lawyers Guild immigration attorneys available to help with immigration issues.
National Immigration Legal Services Directory
Immigration legal services providers by state, county, or detention facility. Only nonprofit organizations that provide free or low-cost immigration legal services are included in this directory
Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital Children's Health Center
San Francisco Based Organizations Providing Free or Low-Cost Legal Assistance
Printable grid of free and low cost legal assistance in the Bay Area (mostly SF); updated last 2017
Additional updated resources available on these sites: SF Area Bro Bono Directory, Legal Services from the Immigration Institute of the Bay Area, Legal Access Alameda, Family Legal Clinic
San Francisco Immigrant & Legal Education Network (SFILEN)
Bay Area Organizations Offering Legal Assistance
SFILEN is a collection of 13 Bay Area based organizations that provide free immigrant legal assistance and community education to low-income immigrants in San Francisco. Collectively the Network provides services in over 20 languages and dialects.
The Bar Association of San Francisco
Immigration Lawyer Referral & Information Service - San Francisco
Alameda County Bar Association
Immigration Lawyer Referral & Information Service - Alameda County
Legal Services, All Types - San Francisco Bay Area
BayLegal’s mission is to provide meaningful access to the civil justice system through quality legal assistance regardless of a client’s location, language or disability. For low income and very low income clients.
Legal Advice & Services - New York & National
New York based immigrant rights organization. Offer legal assistance to NY residents and referrals for those who are out of state.
