Homeless Legal Rights

Legal Aid provides free civil legal services to the homeless population of Broward County. Our goal is to ensure that the homeless are treated with dignity, and that their legal rights are protected. The Homeless Legal Rights Project attorneys assist the homeless in the following areas:

Public Benefits

Social Security Disability Benefits
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Advice/counsel for public and government benefits

Family Law

Simple divorce
Name changes
Service limited to clients in homeless shelters

Immigration

Service limited to clients in homeless shelters

Civil Rights

Ensuring Dignity and Respect
Legal Rights
Human Rights

Driver’s License

Advice and counsel for restoration of driving privilege

Eligibility

A person is considered homeless only when he/she resides in one of the places described below:

In a place not meant for human habitation
In cars, parks, sidewalks, abandoned buildings, on the street
In an emergency shelter
In transitional housing for homeless persons who originally came from the streets or emergency shelters
In any of the above places, but is spending a short time in a hospital or other institution
Is fleeing a domestic violence housing situation
Is being evicted within a week from a private dwelling and no subsequent residence has been identified
Is being discharged within a week from an institution, such as a mental health or substance abuse treatment facility, or a jail/prison, in which the person has been a resident for more than 30 days

Intake Locations

Legal Aid conducts eligibility screenings at our office. We also conduct screenings at the following locations:

Note:
– Please call 954.736.2469 for assistance
– Due to Covid-19 shelters may be closed to visitors. Clients living in shelters must call 954.736.2469 for assistance. Please leave a message with your name, number, and brief description of your legal problem

Referrals

Referrals are provided for county resources, such as housing, food and clothing programs, healthcare, addiction rehabilitation programs and others