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AIDS Legal Assistance Project (ALAP)

• Legal Services
  • Advocacy & Impact Litigation
  • AIDS Legal Assistance Project (ALAP)
  • Bankruptcy
  • Civil Legal Assistance
  • Community Organization Legal Assistance Project (COLAP)
  • Consumer Law
  • Foreclosure/Homeownership
  • Family Law Outreach
  • Homeless Advocacy Project
  • Housing Project
  • Immigration
  • Southeast Asian Legal Assistance Project (SEALOP)
  • Success Stories

Founded in 1993, PLC's AIDS Legal Assistance Project (ALAP) is Orange County's only legal service program dedicated to assisting low-income persons living with HIV or AIDS. Legal services are essential to ALAP clients because they substantially reduce stress and allow persons living with HIV to focus on their health and well-being rather than their legal problems. ALAP provides free legal assistance with a variety of matters related to our clients' HIV status, including:

• Employment accommodation and discrimination matters to ensure a vital source of income and health insurance;
• Confidentiality and discrimination issues to protect privacy;
• Housing cases to ensure safe living conditions and prevent homelessness;
• Insurance disputes to safeguard access to health care;
• Guardianships and adoptions to provide peace of mind; and
• Estate-planning to retain the dignity of our clients.

ALAP also distributes client education materials and conducts community education programs for clients and staff at HIV service agencies on a wide variety of legal issues.

HIV Legal Checkup Program

Beginning in 2008, people living with HIV/AIDS can get a Legal Checkup ("LCU")-a one-on-one appointment with a legal advocate designed to help prevent legal problems before they become too serious. The LCU is a diagnostic tool designed to address the legal issues that are most prevalent in the lives of those living with HIV/AIDS, such as discrimination, public accommodations, health insurance, housing, estate and permanency planning. During the LCU, any current or potential legal issues will be identified and information, legal advice, referrals, and legal assistance will be provided.

By proactively identifying and addressing existing and potential legal issues, the program facilitates the mental well-being of clients by avoiding the stress of litigation. In addition, by counseling clients on confidentiality, the program prevents discrimination and lessens the impact of HIV stigma. Ultimately, clients will better adhere to treatment regimens and live fuller, healthier lives if they are empowered and aware of their rights, and are therefore able to avoid legal problems and discrimination.

How to Access Services

Currently, all low-income Orange County residents living with HIV or AIDS must receive a referral from a case manager to access services through ALAP; however, beginning in 2008, prospective clients can obtain legal assistance by attending the ALAP community legal clinic. Homebound or hospitalized people living with HIV or AIDS will still be able to get a direct referral to ALAP from their AIDS case manager or social worker. Services can also be accessed by participating in the HIV Legal Checkup Program.

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