HIV and AIDS Legal Services Alliance

HALSA
HIV & AIDS Legal  Services Alliance, Inc.
3550 Wilshire Boulevard
Suite 750
Los Angeles CA 90010
213.637.1690 Central Intake
213.637.1694 Fax

HALSA: A Legal Services Alliance for People with HIV & AIDS
HALSA is a collaborative project of AIDS Project Los Angeles, AIDS Service Center, the Los Angeles County Bar Association, the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center and Public Counsel.

HALSA provides legal services to low-income persons who have HIV/AIDS and who live in Los Angeles County.

How Can HALSA help me?
HALSA can help you with legal issues such as:

• Public Benefits (SSDI, SSI, Medi-Cal)
• Confidentiality (privacy and HIV testing
• Discrimination
• Employment issues (access, reasonable accommodations)
• Housing (landlord/tenant issues)
• Immigration
• Joint Guardianships and Adoption
• Tax Assistance
• Wills and Powers of Attorney

Do I need a LEGAL "Check-up". . .
You go to the doctor to check up on your health. Contact HALSA to check up on legal issues which may arise in the future. Persons with HIV/AIDS may have special needs or areas of concern which they sometimes don't even know about.

How do I qualify for HALSA?
Proof is required that you are HIV-positive, that you live in Los Angeles County, are low income, and the legal issue you are concerned about must be HIV-related.

How can I reach HALSA?
Call us at (213) 637-1690 to ask for assistance or to schedule a Legal Check-Up. A bilingual (Spanish/English) staff person will answer the phone and assist you.

If you already have a case manager or a social worker, he or she can refer you to HALSA. We also have an Outreach Coordinator who regularly visits medical facilities and AIDS Service Organizations.

What kind of Legal Assistance is available from HALSA?
HALSA offers:
legal advice, counsel, and limited brief services (phone calls, letters)
review of legal documents, group presentations to clients about legal issues facing the HIV-positive community, community education forums, assessments and referrals.

Services are provided based on current caseloads and available attorney resources.

Funding restrictions prohibit HALSA from providing legal assistance for non-HIV-related matters such as criminal law, malpractice, personal injury or certain other civil legal matters.

How is HALSA funded?
HALSA receives funding from the County of Los Angeles Office of AIDS Programs and Policies (Ryan White Care Act funding) and the City of Los Angeles Housing Department HOPWA (Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS) Program).