Resources
We are dedicated to empowering seniors in Contra Costa County with free legal services. These resources are available to provide additional information and tools.
Housing
Tenant’s Rights
- Know Your Rights as a California Tenant (Consumer Alert)
- Landlord – Tenant Issues | State of California – Department of Justice
- Landlord/Tenant Rights
- Disability Rights California Self Help Guide
- Getting the Security Deposit you Deserve Info Sheet (English)
- Getting the Security Deposit you Deserve Info Sheet (Spanish)
- Cómo obtener el reembolso del depósito de seguridad (Español)
- Residential Tenants’ and Landlords Rights’ & Responsibilities
- Legal Rights of Persons with Disabilities
- National Housing Law Project’s Resource Center
Information about public housing, Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, and more. Or call 415-546-7000. - Renters’ Rights under the Tenant Protection Act
Rental Assistance
- 211 – Dial 211 to connect with a specialist and receive personalized assistance. Free, confidential, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Available in multiple languages.
- Shelter Inc’s Rental & Deposit Assistance
- Season of Sharing
- Catholic Charities East Bay Housing Services
- St. Vincent de Paul
- City of Richmond Rental Resources
- Independent Living Resources – Housing Services
- Rental Assistance Information (English)
- Rental Assistance Information (Spanish)
- Información de asistencia de alquiler (Español)
Finding Housing
- Contra Costa County Affordable Housing Resources
You can also contact them at (925) 674-7208. - Contra Costa Housing List for Seniors & Disabled
- Doorway Housing Portal (ca.gov)
- California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR)
Eviction Defense
- Tenant Power Toolkit
Online tool to help a tenant with a Unlawful Detainer action.
Evictions
CCSLS does not provide assistance to landlords seeking to evict tenants.
- Lawyer Referral and Information Service
- Contra Costa County Bar Association or (925) 825-5700
- The California Court’s Website
Resources on housing matters, including evictions (unlawful detainers), foreclosures, and security deposits.
CA Attorney General Resources
Elder Abuse
- Elder Abuse Restraining Order (ca.gov)
- Elder or Dependent Adult Abuse: Contra Costa Superior Court (cc-courts.org)
- Recognizing and Reporting Elder Abuse (CANHR)
California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform provides information on elder abuse, focusing on nursing homes and senior residential facilities. If you or someone you know is experiencing elder abuse in a long-term care facility, you can contact Empowered Aging on their website or at (925) 685-2070. - Adult Protective Services
If you suspect that you or someone you know is experiencing elder abuse that takes place outside of a long-term care facility, you can make a report to Adult Protective Services at (877) 839-4347 or (925) 602-4179 (cell phones or calls made outside of Contra Costa County).
National Resources
- Justice in Aging
Various trainings on elder abuse and its impact on seniors. - National Center on Elder Abuse
Provides information and trainings on elder abuse, including best policy practices.
Consumer Protection
Fraud, Scams, and Identity Theft
- Top Ten Financial Scams Targeted at Seniors
- Ten Common Scams That Target Older Adults
Information from the California Dept of Aging flyer available in English, Spanish, Traditional Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Tagalog. - Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Information and resources for seniors to protect their assets. - Federal Trade Commission
Information on protecting yourself from identity theft. - Privacy Rights Clearinghouse
Guides to prevent identity theft. - Protecting Consumers (State of California)
- Safeguarding your Bank Account
- Presentation on Scams, Fraud and ID Theft
- Cryptocurrency Scams: A New Frontier for Scammers
- Mortgage Relief, Loan Modification, and Foreclosure Rescue Scams – and Where to Turn for Legitimate Assistance
- Learn How To Spot and Protect Yourself from Romance Scams
- National Consumer Law Center
Resources on many topics, including bankruptcy, mortgages, loans, credit cards, and more.
Debt
- CCSLS Consumer Debt Collections Overview
Have debts that are in collection? - Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Sample Letters
If you are being contacted by debt collectors, you can send letters using these samples, based on your individual circumstances. - Bay Area Legal Aid Consumer Rights Clinics
Speak with an attorney about your consumer legal issues or whether bankruptcy makes sense for you. (Note: Bankruptcy rarely is the best option for low-income seniors who don’t own property.) - SparkPoint Contra Costa on Direct.me
- NCLC Guide on Debt Collection Harassment
Health and Economic Stability
- Justice in Aging provides an overview on resources for supporting seniors’ economic stability
- In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)
- Community Resources from Contra Costa County Employment and Human Services
- Area Agency on Aging provides information and assistance regarding the resources available to Contra Costa County seniors.
- SparkPoint offers free assistance to low income families and works with families to meet their basic needs, increase their income, build their credit, increase their savings, and reduce their debt. (Spanish)
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Social Security
- The Social Security Administration retirement section provides information on how to apply for and manage benefits, including online applications.
Medicare / Medicaid
- The Medicare website provides a lot of information regarding benefits and applications.
- Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program (HICAP) provides Medicare counseling.
- Bay Area Legal Aid has a healthcare access program for Medi-Cal and Medicare access.
Mediation / Out of Court Resolutions
- Congress of Neutrals Unlawful Detainer
- Aging in Harmony provides mediation services for families for a fee.
General Resources
- Area Agency on Aging for Contra Costa
Various resources for older adults in the county that need support. - Aging and Adult Services
Provides resources through their Information and Assistance line for seniors and people with disabilities in Contra Costa County. You can contact them at (800) 510-2020 or (925) 229-8434 (if calling from a cell phone or outside of Contra Costa County). - Senior-Information-and-Assistance-Housing-List-10-24-2025.pdf Various resources for older adults in the county that need support.
- Law Help CA
Useful information about finding reliable legal help.
Other Resources for Seniors
Legal Resources
- The California Court self-help website has many resources for a variety of legal topics.
- Sacramento Law Library has resources and instructions for filling out many court forms.
- Contra Costa County Bar Association to find private attorneys.
LGBT Seniors
- www.lgbtagingcenter.org
- www.sageusa.org
- www.justiceinaging.org (Social Security guidance)
- www.rainbowcc.org/senior-programs
Food Insecurity
Resources for Family Members of Seniors
- Are you an agent for a Durable Power of Attorney? Learn about your responsibilities
- Talking to your loved ones about planning for incapacity: The Conversation Project
- Good read: Being Mortal by Atul Gawande
- Guide for Representative Payees for Social Security
- If you are looking for legal services for a senior who lacks capacity, call the Contra Costa County Bar Association for assistance at (925) 825-5700.
- Talk to loved ones about scams, fraud, or identity theft.
- USC has a training and resource library on elder abuse for caregivers and community members.
