Business Details
36 Years
experience
Free Legal Advocacy for Homeless & Disabled Residents
Founded in 1990, the Homeless Action Center has dedicated three decades to providing free, high-quality public benefits advocacy for unhoused and disabled residents of Alameda County. Our organization was established to address systemic barriers preventing vulnerable populations from accessing essential resources, with a founding vision rooted in human dignity, legal rights, and community responsibility. Over 30 years, we've grown from a single Berkeley storefront with two staff members to a multidisciplinary team of 90+ professionals serving Oakland and Berkeley locations. Our expertise lies in navigating complex public benefits systems, with specialized knowledge in Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), and Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI). We maintain authoritativeness through our proven track record of successfully tripling clients' incomes by transitioning them from General Assistance to SSI, while demonstrating trustworthiness through strict adherence to anti-discrimination policies and client-centered advocacy.Our culturally humble approach incorporates multilingual services in 10 languages plus interpreter access for other languages, ensuring accessibility for diverse populations. We combine legal expertise with social justice principles, addressing intersectional challenges related to race, gender identity, disability, and socioeconomic status. Our commitment to transparency is evident in our 100% client-focused donation policy and publicly documented service outcomes. Through continuous staff training and program expansion, we maintain our position as a trusted leader in homelessness advocacy while upholding the highest ethical standards in public service delivery.
Services
SSI Advocacy
SSDI Assistance
CAPI Support
CalFresh Applications
Medi-Cal Enrollment
Housing Advocacy
Outreach Services
Drop-In Legal Help
Details
- Year established: 1990
Highlights and features
- We have 30+ years of specialized experience in public benefits advocacy
- Our multilingual staff serves clients in 10 languages with interpreter access
- Client-centered approach prioritizes cultural humility and trauma-informed care
- Proven success in tripling client incomes through benefits optimization
- Zero-tolerance policy for discrimination across all service delivery
Services
SSI Advocacy
We provide comprehensive assistance with Supplemental Security Income applications and appeals. Our legal experts help clients navigate complex disability requirements and documentation processes. This service enables clients to increase monthly income from $336 to $1,182 while gaining healthcare access through Medi-Cal.
SSDI Assistance
Our advocates support clients in securing Social Security Disability Insurance benefits. We handle case documentation, appeals, and eligibility determinations. This program provides critical income support for individuals with qualifying work histories and medical conditions.
CAPI Support
We assist eligible immigrants with Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants applications. Our multilingual staff helps navigate eligibility requirements and documentation needs. This service provides vital financial support for qualified non-citizens who don't qualify for other public benefits.
Outreach Services
Our outreach team provides direct support to individuals living in encampments and vehicles. We bring services directly to underserved populations through mobile outreach. This program ensures access to benefits advocacy for those facing transportation barriers.
Housing Advocacy
We help clients connect public benefits with housing stability efforts. Our Almost Home program provides transitional housing for seven clients. This service combines temporary housing with benefits advocacy to create pathways to permanent housing solutions.
Questions
What services does Homeless Action Center provide?
We offer free legal advocacy for public benefits including SSI, SSDI, CAPI, CalFresh, and Medi-Cal. We also provide outreach services and transitional housing support.
Who qualifies for your services?
Low-income residents of Alameda County experiencing homelessness or disability qualify for our free services. No citizenship requirements exist for most programs.
Do you offer multilingual services?
Yes, our staff speaks 10 languages including Spanish, Mandarin, and Vietnamese. We also provide interpreter services for other languages.
How is your organization funded?
We rely on donations and grants to provide free services. 100% of donations directly support client services including legal advocacy and housing programs.
Reviews (3)
Berkeley Pyru
Jul 19, 2021
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I will not recommend going to this place they're very slow and they don't know how to handle business professionally so I feel that homeless action center should be should be reinformed about the different criteria of managing a lot of people and and managing a lot of people to check because they're doing it by a lousy job
Yolanda Washington
Jun 28, 2021
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As always I am extremely pleased with the HAC because if it wasn't for Rima Maher with the HAC I would still be on the ferris wheel waiting for my SSI BENEFITS. And once again I have been given wonderful news regarding my issues from a few years back and I can close that negative part with happy endings. I wish I could give more stars but I'm sure this post should say how much I appreciate the HAC.
Rene Kindinger
Nov 24, 2019
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I had an issue and went to ask them for help. While they, in the office, were super helpful and kind hearted, the lawyer they had me speak to over the phone in their reception area had absolutely nothing helpful to say and advertised I go elsewhere...
