Legal & Consumer Services

ADVOCATE INC. (formerly Ombudsman Advocate)
525 Laurel Street, Suite 140
Santa Cruz 95060
429-1913
Fax: 429-9102
Rights protection and advocacy services for residents of nursing homes and residential care facilities. Receives and investigates complaints, including reports of elder abuse in long term care facilities.

CALIFORNIA RURAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE
501 Soquel Avenue, Suite D
Santa Cruz 95062
458-1089

21 Carr Street
Watsonville 95076
724-2253, 688-6535
Free legal assistance for low income people under 55 years of age. (55 and over see Senior Citizens Legal Services.)

CATHOLIC CHARITIES
Immigration Services
217 East Lake Avenue
Watsonville 95076
722-2675 or 393-3110 (Seaside)
Provides assistance and guidance for people seeking Legal Permanent Residency Status and citizenship. Staff includes a Board of Immigration Appeals Accredited Representative.

Offers the following services:

LAWYER REFERRAL SERVICE
425-4755
The Santa Cruz County Bar Association will refer you to an attorney for $40, which entitles you to consultation of up to 30 minutes.

MOBILE HOME COMMISSION
Santa Cruz County Counsel
701 Ocean Street, Room 505
Santa Cruz 95060
454-2040
Offers advice regarding the County Mobile Home Rental Adjustment Ordinance and referrals for mobile home residents.

MOBILE HOME OMBUDSMAN'S OFFICE
1-800-952-5275
Call for complaints/questions about mobile home dealers, manufacturers, salesmen, mobile home parks and residency law. No fee.

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY HOUSEHOLD
HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION
454-2606 press #3
Comes to residence of homebound or physically unable and takes away hazardous waste for free.

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY IMMIGRATION PROJECT
Community Action Board
406 Main Street, #217
Watsonville 95076
724-5667
Immigration information and referral, INS application assistance, and information on eligibility for benefits.

SENIOR CITIZENS LEGAL SERVICES
501 Soquel Avenue, Suite F
Santa Cruz 95062
Phone: 426-8824
Fax: 426-3345

114 E Fifth St
Watsonville 95076
728-4711
Free legal advice and representation for seniors. Social Security, SSI, Medi-Cal, Medicare, housing, consumer, elder abuse and other types of cases. Will go to homebound seniors if necessary. 55 and younger see California Rural Legal Assistance.

SENIOR LEGAL HOTLINE
1-800-222-1753
Free legal advice and brief services by phone to California residents 60 and over.

STATE DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE
1-800-927-4357
Consumer hotline receives complaints about insurance and insurance agents.

VICTIMS OF CRIME PROGRAM
State Board of Control
P.O. Box 3036
Sacramento, CA 95812-3036
1-800-777-9229
Qualifying victims may receive financial assistance for losses resulting from a crime which cannot be reimbursed by other sources.

WATSONVILLE LAW CENTER
521 Main Street, Suite H
Watsonville 95076
Phone: (831) 722-2845
Fax: (831) 761-3295
www.watsonvillelawcenter.org
Focuses on providing services related to worker's compensation, consumer fraud matters, and barriers to employment for low-income people of all ages.

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
175 Westridge Drive
Watsonville 95076
763-8080, 454-2620
Answers complaints regarding scales, gasoline pumps, meters. Particularly applicable in mobile home parks.