St. Paul Local Assistance Programs

This page lists local organizations in St. Paul, Minnesota that provide free legal help, food and social services. Statewide programs are described on the Minnesota page.

Legal aid

Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services provides free civil legal help to people with low income in St. Paul and southern Minnesota. Its lawyers handle family law, housing, government benefits, immigration, education and senior law cases. The toll-free intake line is 1-877-696-6529.¹

The Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota provides free immigration legal representation to low-income immigrants and refugees in Minnesota and North Dakota. Call the intake line during intake hours to schedule an appointment. The center does not take walk-in appointments.²

Food

Hallie Q. Brown Community Center runs a food shelf in the Rondo neighborhood. The food shelf works by appointment, with a personal shopper who picks groceries based on each household request form. All families are welcome.³

Merrick Community Services runs a food shelf on the East Side of St. Paul for residents of the East Side and Maplewood. Visit during open hours. No call ahead is needed.⁴

Social services

Neighborhood House runs a Housing Stability program that helps Ramsey County residents who face eviction or homelessness, with emergency help for rent, deposits, mortgage payments and utility bills. The Housing Stability line is 651-789-2547. Its Service Connect line, 651-789-3602, links St. Paul residents to programs across the organization.⁵

The Community Action Partnership of Ramsey and Washington Counties runs the Energy Assistance Program for Ramsey and Washington Counties. The program helps with heating and utility bills, and it can help with emergency furnace repair in a heating emergency.⁶