Free civil legal services are available to low-income New Yorkers across all five boroughs — for housing court cases, benefits denials, immigration matters, family law, and more. Knowing which organization to call and where they are located can make the difference between getting help quickly and falling through the cracks. This guide maps the major legal aid providers by borough and practice area.
Citywide Legal Aid Organizations
These organizations serve clients across all five boroughs:
Legal Aid Society
The largest provider of free civil legal services in New York City. Handles housing, benefits, immigration, family law, and more.
- Civil intake hotline: (212) 577-3300
- Website: legalaidnyc.org
- Hours: Monday–Friday 9:30am–4pm for intake calls
- Income eligibility: Generally at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level
Legal Services NYC
Five borough offices with specializations in housing, public benefits, immigration, family, consumer, and education law.
- Central intake: (917) 661-4500
- Website: lsnyc.org
- Online intake form: Available at lsnyc.org for faster intake
New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG)
Serves low to moderate income New Yorkers; broader income eligibility than some providers.
- Hotline: (212) 613-5000
- Website: nylag.org
- Walk-in clinic: 100 William Street, Manhattan (call for current hours)
Housing-Specific Legal Help: Right to Counsel Providers by Borough
If you are facing eviction in NYC Housing Court and your income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, you are entitled to a free attorney through the Right to Counsel program. Contact the provider in your borough:
- Bronx: Bronx Defenders — (718) 838-7878 | bronxdefenders.org
- Brooklyn: Brooklyn Defender Services — (718) 254-0700 | bds.org
- Manhattan: Legal Aid Society — (212) 577-3300
- Queens: Queens Defenders — (718) 286-2000
- Staten Island: Staten Island Legal Services — (718) 233-6480
- All boroughs (also): Legal Services NYC — (917) 661-4500
You can also walk into the Right to Counsel Help Center desk at your borough’s housing court on the day of your hearing — but contacting providers before your court date is strongly recommended.
Benefits and Public Assistance Legal Help
- Legal Aid Society — Benefits Unit: (212) 577-3300 — SNAP, Medicaid, cash assistance appeals
- Community Health Advocates (Medicaid): communityhealthadvocates.org — 1-888-614-5400
- Urban Justice Center — Safety Net Project: (646) 459-3000 — public benefits advocacy
- Legal Services NYC: (917) 661-4500 — benefits appeals across all boroughs
Immigration Legal Help
- ActionNYC: 1-800-354-0365 — free safe immigration legal screenings citywide
- CUNY Citizenship Now!: (212) 817-7500 — cuny.edu/citizenshipnow
- New York Immigration Coalition: (212) 627-2227 — nyic.org
- Make the Road New York: (718) 565-8500 — Brooklyn and Queens focus
- Legal Aid Society Immigration Law Unit: (212) 577-3300
Family Law (Custody, Domestic Violence, Child Support)
- Her Justice: (212) 274-0404 — free legal help for women, including DV survivors
- New York Legal Assistance Group: (212) 613-5000 — family law citywide
- Safe Horizon Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-621-HOPE (4673)
- Sanctuary for Families: (212) 349-6009 — legal services for DV survivors
Disability and SSI/SSDI Legal Help
- Disability Rights Advocates: dralegal.org
- NYLAG — Social Security Unit: (212) 613-5000
- Legal Aid Society: (212) 577-3300 — SSI/SSDI appeals
Legal Help Finder Tools
- LawHelpNY.org: lawhelpny.org — search for free legal help by issue and location across New York State
- NYC Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service: (212) 626-7373 — for paid reduced-fee referrals if you don’t qualify for free services
- 311: Ask for “free legal help” — operators can refer you to appropriate services
Frequently Asked Questions
What income level qualifies for free legal aid in NYC?
Most major legal aid organizations serve households at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level — approximately $29,160 for a single person. NYLAG has somewhat broader eligibility. Income limits vary by organization and program. Call the intake line and describe your situation — if you don’t qualify at one organization, they can often refer you to another that may be able to help.
How quickly can I get a legal aid attorney for a housing court case?
Contact a Right to Counsel provider as soon as you receive housing court papers — before your court date, not after. Walk-in help is available at the housing court’s Right to Counsel desk on your court date, but advance contact gives you a stronger start. For emergencies (illegal lockout, utility shutoff), legal aid organizations have emergency intake processes — explain the urgency clearly when you call.
I don’t qualify for free legal aid. What are my options?
The NYC Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service (212-626-7373) offers a 30-minute reduced-fee consultation for $35. Law school clinics at NYU, CUNY, Fordham, and Columbia provide supervised legal services at reduced or no cost. Housing Court Answers (212-962-4795) provides phone advice for self-represented tenants. LawHelpNY.org lists additional resources.
