Cancer Justice, formerly known as the Cancer Legal Resource Center (CLRC), is a nationally recognized legal program founded in 1997 to help people with cancer and their loved ones address the legal consequences they face after a cancer diagnosis. Cancer Justice responds to the cascading legal crises serious illness causes—loss of employment, insurance denials, housing instability, barriers to public benefits, immigration-related vulnerabilities, and the urgent need for end-of-life and family stability planning—when people are most vulnerable and must navigate complex systems.

For over two decades, Cancer Justice was housed at the Disability Rights Legal Center, where it became one of the first programs in the country dedicated to protecting the legal rights of people living with cancer. Since its founding, Cancer Justice has provided legal support, education, and resources to more than 500,000 patients, caregivers, survivors, healthcare providers, and advocates nationwide through direct assistance, community education, conferences, webinars, and widely distributed print materials.

Now housed at Public Counsel, in 2026 Cancer Justice enters a new phase of growth that builds on its national legacy while deepening its impact in California.

Are you or a loved one impacted by cancer and in need of legal assistance?

The Cancer Justice helpline operates Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PT. It remains the only live cancer legal helpline in the nation staffed by an attorney, providing real-time legal education, issue-spotting, and referrals across a wide range of legal needs.

Please reach out to the Cancer Justice program dedicated hotline at (213) 736-1455 and (866) 843-2572.

We provide help with:

• Health insurance and treatment access
• Insurance denials and appeals
• Employment rights during cancer
• Medical bills and financial assistance
• Housing issues and other legal resource