Safety & Legal

This guide provides information about the types of federal, state, and local disaster assistance services available in California.

ICNA Relief USA seeks to alleviate human suffering by providing caring and compassionate service to victims of adversities and survivors of disasters. ICNA Relief USA strives to build healthy communities, strengthen families and create opportunities for those in despair while maintaining their dignity.

The Immigration Institute of the Bay Area (IIBA) helps immigrants, refugees, and their families join and contribute to the community. IIBA provides high-quality, affordable immigration legal services, education, and civic engagement opportunities

ImmigrationLawHelp.org is a searchable online directory of over 1,000 free or low-cost nonprofit immigration legal services providers in all 50 states. Only nonprofits that are BIA recognized or have attorneys on staff are included in the directory.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Oakland's programs are designed to ensure that you, as a refugee, thrive in America--whether ensuring your children are enrolled in school, you as an adult is become self-reliant through employment or starting businesses, or families are receiving acute medical care you need to recover from trauma or illness. If you are in need, the IRC will help you to rebuild your life and regain control of your future in your new home community.

Jewish Family & Community Services East Bay (JFCS East Bay) is a community-based, direct social and human services organization that serves and supports Alameda and Contra Costa County residents of all ages, races, and religions.

KCCEB’s mission is to empower immigrants in the Bay Area through access to education, services, resources and advocacy. We help individuals get needed resources at critical moments in their lives and offer opportunities to empower themselves, their families and community for health and wellness.

Hatixhe B. Grbeshi is an attorney who can help you obtain your Social Security Disability benefits.

Legal Access Alameda provides virtual and in-person free legal services in partnership with the Alameda County Bar Association (ACBA).

Legal Assistance for Seniors provides free legal advice and information to seniors throughout Alameda County. Our free services include: representation in court and administrative hearings, referrals to other community resources, and community education and training on legal issues.

A list and links to legal services assistance provided by the California Department of Social Services, including Red Cards, Know Your Rights, California Attorney General Immigration Resources, and Immigration Law Help.

Maitri is a free, confidential, nonprofit organization based in the San Francisco Bay Area that primarily helps families and individuals from South Asia (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives) facing domestic violence, emotional abuse, cultural alienation, or family conflict.

The California Health & Human Services Agency provides links to mental health resources for youth, including Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, CalHOPE, Youth Crisis Line, LGBT Youth TalkLine, Trans Lifeline, and more!

Narika's mission is to promote women's independence, economic empowerment, and well-being by providing survivors of domestic violence with confidential support, education, and advocacy, including a confidential helpline for survivors of domestic violence and abuse.

Every month the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services' San Francisco Asylum Office partners with the California Department of Public Health's Office of Refugee Health and the San Francisco Department of Public Health's Newcomer's Health Program to conduct an orientation on benefits and services for newly granted asylees in California.

The monthly session covers topics that pertain to asylees in California such as: important documents, safety net benefits, and health care.

Provides legal assistance with asylum, residency, naturalization, VAWA, and family petitions for LGBTQIA+ immigrant communities.

Provides ESL, home-based tutoring, immigration services, social services, interpretation services, employment assistance services.

The organizations on this list are able to provide assistance regarding public charge.

The Refugee and Asylum Seeker Health Initiative (RAHI) is a grassroots organization that incorporates evidence-based medical research, cultural competency, social determinants of health, and international collaboration to improve health outcomes for refugees and asylum seekers around the world.

San Francisco Immigrant Legal & Education Network (SFILEN) provides free immigration legal services and comprehensive legal assistance, promoting community education, and organizing to empower the immigrant community.