Medical Legal Partnership Program

What Is the Medical Legal Partnership (MLP)?

The Medical Legal Partnership (MLP) is a program between Samaritan and Legal Aid Services of Oregon–Albany.

It gives free legal help to patients of the Samaritan InterCommunity Health Clinic – Albany.

In this program, lawyers work with your health care team.

If your doctor, nurse or other clinic staff see that a legal problem is hurting your health, they can “prescribe” legal help, just like they would send you to another medical specialist.

A family talking with their doctor a medical office.

Who Can Get Help?

You may be able to get free legal help from the MLP if you are a patient of the Samaritan InterCommunity Health Clinic – Albany and:

  • You qualify for or receive public benefits (for example: Medicaid, TANF, SNAP), or
  • You have low income (based on federal poverty guidelines), or
  • You are 60 years old or older.

If you are not sure, the MLP can help you find out if you qualify.

Lobby of the Samaritan InterCommunity Health Clinic in Albany, Oregon.

Where Are Services Provided?

Legal services are:

  • Given for free
  • Confidential (private)
  • Provided either:
    • at the clinic in a private room, or
    • at the Legal Aid office in Albany.

What Legal Problems Can the MLP Help With?

The MLP can help with many kinds of civil (non‑criminal) legal issues. If the MLP cannot help with your exact problem, they may be able to refer you to another resource.

Income

Help with money and benefits so you can meet your basic needs. For example:

  • Appealing denials of food stamps (SNAP)
  • Oregon Health Plan (OHP) problems
  • Cash benefits problems
  • Disability benefits problems

Housing and Utilities

Help to keep your home safe and your utilities on. For example:

  • Problems with evictions
  • Housing subsidies (help paying rent)
  • Home conditions that are unsafe or unhealthy (habitability)
  • Utility shut‑offs (electric, gas, water)
  • Fair housing issues

Seniors (Age 60 and Older)

Special help for older adults. For example:

  • Elder abuse
  • Debt collection problems
  • Problems in nursing homes or foster homes
  • Guardianship defense
  • Issues with Medicaid or Medicare
  • Problems with in‑home care

Legal Status

Help with issues that affect your ability to work, get health care and receive benefits. For example:

  • Clearing some criminal or credit histories
  • Help with name changes and gender marker changes on legal documents

Personal and Family Stability

Help to keep you and your family safe and stable. For example:

  • Getting restraining orders for domestic violence
  • Help with adoption
  • Help with divorce and custody
  • Guardianships for children

What Legal Problems Are NOT Covered?

The MLP does not provide help with:

  • Criminal cases
  • Traffic or DUII cases
  • Real estate matters
  • Bankruptcies
  • Class action cases
  • Legislative lobbying (trying to change laws)
  • Fee‑generating cases (such as personal injury, medical malpractice or car accidents)
  • New Social Security Disability Income applications
  • Wills and probate
  • Some claims against any Samaritan entities (for example, privacy/breach issues, medical malpractice)

How Do I Ask for Free Legal Help?

You can:

  • Ask your provider or any clinic staff for a referral to the MLP, or
  • Send an email to: [email protected]

They will talk with you about your situation and help you find out if the MLP can help.

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