National Cancer Legal Services Network: Legal Resources United

Cancer can change everything — including your legal needs around work, insurance, housing, and more. If you need help finding legal resources, the National Cancer Legal Services Network (NCLSN) exists to expand access to legal services for people with cancer. Learn more at https://legalhealth.org/nclsn/ — the home of the network formed by LegalHealth and partners.

NCLSN doesn’t always provide direct legal help itself — instead, it unifies and connects legal programs across the country to help you find the support you need when cancer disrupts your life.

What NCLSN Is and Why It Matters

The National Cancer Legal Services Network was created to:

• Increase access to free legal services

• Bring together nonprofits, bar associations, medical-legal partnerships, and advocates

• Advocate for legal and economic protections for people with cancer and their families

NCLSN’s strength is its network. There isn’t a huge nationwide office taking cases itself — but there is a unified coalition that makes legal help easier to find and more powerful.

Legal Issues NCLSN Helps Address

The network supports efforts that help with:

• Insurance disputes — including appeal support and denied claim navigation

• Public benefits — such as SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, and Medicare guidance

• Employment issues — from discrimination to family/medical leave rights

• Housing problems — protections and tenant rights

• Advance planning — wills, powers of attorney, and guardianship

• Immigration and custody planning — unique issues for some families

These are real legal areas that show up after a cancer diagnosis — and they matter more than most people expect.

How NCLSN Works With Local Programs

NCLSN helps connect you to organizations that can provide more direct support, including:

• Legal aid offices that take cases

• Medical-legal partnerships in hospitals

• Pro bono lawyers and referral services

• Educational and advocacy groups focused on cancer legal rights

Think of NCLSN as a clearinghouse and amplifier — it brings the legal support world together so you don’t have to figure it all out alone.

Training, Tools, & Systemic Work

Part of what NCLSN does includes:

• Educating providers and advocates so they can help you better

• Sharing tools and tip sheets for common legal issues

• Advocating for policy change that protects patients with cancer

• Creating forums for legal programs to share best practices

You benefit not just from the help available today — but from stronger systems tomorrow.

How to Use the Network

1. Visit https://legalhealth.org/nclsn/

2. Email the contact listed for help locating legal service partners

3. Ask your care team or social worker about medical-legal partnerships nearby

4. Search state/local legal aid and non-profit partners through network referrals

Because NCLSN unifies many independent programs, your best route is often through a referral or connection rather than a single hotline.

Your Next Step

If cancer has raised legal hurdles — whether it’s insurance, benefits, housing, or employment — start at NCLSN’s site and ask for help finding a legal partner in your community.

You shouldn’t have to fight bureaucracy alone — and this network exists to make sure you don’t.