Empowering people to move out of poverty and improve their quality of life since 1973.
RUBICON PROGRAMS INC
Hawkins Center - Legal Services
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Rubicon's Hawkins Center provides legal representation and assistance to people living with physical and mental disabilities and HIV/AIDS. The Hawkins Center has been one of a very few Contra Costa-based providers of legal services to low income residents of the county since it was founded in 1986 as an independent non-profit agency. In June 2003 Hawkins merged with and became a program of Rubicon. Our services are divided into three key areas:
- Through our Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Disability Benefits Advocacy program our staff attorneys represent people with all types of disabilities who are no longer able to work on their claims for disability benefits. Representation is available at all levels of the application process. Legal fees for these services are paid only if the client becomes entitled to benefits and the fees are a percentage of the client's lump sum, past-due benefit award.
- We offer counseling, advice and benefits planning assistance to people currently receiving Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits regarding the complex Social Security rules that apply to disability benefit recipients who are working. Services range from providing basic information to assistance with detailed planning that can help with the transition from disability back to work. This is a free service.
- Our HIV Legal Services Program resolves a wide array of civil legal problems for low-income people with HIV/AIDS in Contra Costa and Alameda counties. Services are provided free of charge and are focused on matters that will lead to positive health outcomes for the client.
- Through our Legal and Workforce Services (LaWS) Program we work closely with Rubicon’s Workforce Services (WFS) division. LaWS provides WFS participants access to legal assistance to address specific, often common obstacles that limit or preclude employment opportunities and career advancement. By providing coordinated legal and comprehensive vocational services in the same location within the same agency, we seek to reduce barriers to employment and enhance opportunities for self-sufficiency for some of Contra Costa and Alameda Counties’ most difficult-to-employ individuals.
