Senior Adults Legal Assistance (SALA) is a nonprofit law office that provides free legal services to Santa Clara County residents 60 or older, regardless of income. SALA’s attorneys deliver a range of services from simple legal advice and  referrals to comprehensive attorney  representation.   

Before the pandemic, SALA provided services during scheduled appointments at senior centers throughout Santa Clara County. Due to the pandemic, SALA is currently not able to offer legal services at these sites and will continue to provide services remotely via telephone or internet platforms until senior centers can reinstate in–person appointments. 

SALA assists clients with legal problems involving public benefits like Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, and more to meet basic needs. Agencies administering these benefits are closed for drop-in or in-person assistance during the pandemic, making it difficult to resolve matters if older adults do not have attorneys to navigate these systems through internet access or virtual appeals. 

SALA assists older adults who are concerned about evictions even during COVID-19 moratoriums, or tenants uncertain about their rights and protections if they cannot pay their rent, or if they need accommodations in their housing for a disability. Legal assistance for physical and financial elder abuse is also offered. When warranted, SALA attorneys represent clients in court proceedings for restraining orders to prevent this abuse, often by removing abusers from clients’ homes. 

Attorneys can help older adults in need of basic legal planning for incapacity or end stages of life with Powers of Attorney or Advance Health Care Directives, to ensure their decisions and choices will be honored.  

In addition to these services, SALA provides assessment, advice, and/or referrals for other types of legal matters. 

Older adults seeking legal assistance can reach SALA at (408) 295-5991. Callers are initially screened by SALA as to the nature of their legal matter before they are scheduled for a telephone appointment.