If you are 60 or older and living in New York City, you have access to free legal services that most people never know exist. The city’s Department for the Aging funds legal programs in all five boroughs, and a network of nonprofit legal organizations extends that reach further — covering housing disputes, tenant rights, estate planning, protection from elder abuse and financial exploitation, and more. This guide tells you who provides these services, what they cover, and exactly how to reach them.
Who This Helps: New York City residents age 60 and older — renters facing eviction or landlord harassment, seniors needing wills or advance directives, older adults who have been financially exploited, homeowners dealing with deed theft or repair fraud, and anyone facing a legal situation who cannot afford an attorney.
NYC Department for the Aging: Free Legal Services for All Five Boroughs
The NYC Department for the Aging (NYC Aging) funds a network of legal service providers that offers free assistance to city residents age 60 and older, in whatever language the client needs. You do not need to pay anything, and you do not need to prove you are low income to access most programs — age alone is the primary qualifier.
NYC Aging legal services cover a wide range of issues, including:
- Housing: landlord-tenant matters, eviction defense, lease renewal disputes, illegal rent increases
- Foreclosure prevention and home ownership disputes
- Home repair fraud — contractors who take money and do not perform work
- Utility shutoffs
- Elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation
- Estate planning: wills, advance directives (health care proxies, powers of attorney)
- Benefits access: helping seniors apply for and maintain public benefits
Services are available for seniors who are homebound or institutionalized, have chronic health conditions, face language barriers, or are at risk of homelessness.
How to reach NYC Aging legal services: Visit nyc.gov/site/dfta/services/legal-help.page or call 311 and ask for the Department for the Aging.
City Bar Justice Center Elderlaw Project
The City Bar Justice Center — the pro bono arm of the New York City Bar Association — runs an Elderlaw Project that trains and deploys volunteer attorneys to assist older New Yorkers with end-of-life planning and related legal matters. The project focuses on preserving the dignity and independence of elderly people who cannot otherwise afford legal representation.
The Elderlaw Project provides assistance with:
- Wills and estate planning
- Health care proxies and advance directives
- Power of attorney documents
- Guardianship matters
How to reach the City Bar Justice Center Elderlaw Project:
Phone: 212-382-6658
Website: citybarjusticecenter.org/projects/elderlaw-project/
You can also complete an online intake application on their website.
JASA Legal Services
JASA (Jewish Association Serving the Aging) provides free legal services to adults age 60 and older in Queens, and also offers free estate planning to low-income seniors through a partnership with an estate planning law firm. Despite the name, JASA serves seniors of all backgrounds and religions.
JASA’s legal team handles housing, benefits, elder law, and elder abuse matters. Their staff attorneys and legal advocates can help you understand your rights, prepare documents, and represent you in appropriate proceedings.
How to reach JASA Legal Services: Visit jasa.org/services/legal or call JASA at 212-273-5272 and ask for the legal services department. Offices are located in Queens with outreach across other boroughs.
Legal Aid Society Elder Law Unit
The Legal Aid Society — the oldest and largest nonprofit legal services organization in the city — operates an Elder Law Unit specifically for low-income older New Yorkers. The unit focuses on issues that affect seniors’ ability to remain safely in their homes and communities: housing, public benefits, elder abuse, and consumer matters.
Legal Aid has offices in all five boroughs and represents clients in administrative hearings, housing court, and other proceedings.
How to reach the Legal Aid Society Elder Law Unit:
Website: legalaidnyc.org/programs-projects-units/elder-law/
Phone: 212-577-3300 (main intake line)
LawHelpNY: Find Free Legal Help Near You
LawHelpNY is the statewide directory of free and low-cost legal service providers. If you are not sure which organization serves your neighborhood or handles your specific issue, start here. You can search by ZIP code, legal topic, and language spoken.
Website: lawhelpny.org — select “Seniors” as your issue area or enter a specific legal problem (housing, estate planning, elder abuse) to find programs serving your area.
Know Your Housing Rights: What Free Legal Help Can Do for Renters
Housing cases are among the most common legal issues facing older New Yorkers. If you are a renter in a rent-stabilized or rent-controlled apartment, you have protections under NYC and NYS law — including limits on how much your landlord can raise your rent, the right to renew your lease, and protection from harassment designed to push you out. Free legal programs can help you:
- Respond to eviction proceedings in Housing Court
- Challenge an illegal rent increase or overcharge
- Document and report landlord harassment
- Apply for programs like SCRIE (Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption) that freeze your rent if you are 62 or older with limited income
- Get help if a landlord fails to provide heat, hot water, or necessary repairs
Related reading: Landlord Harassment: NYC Tenant Rights 2026
Protecting Yourself from Elder Financial Exploitation
Financial exploitation — scams targeting older adults, family members misusing a senior’s assets, predatory contractors, deed theft — is one of the most underreported crimes affecting New York City seniors. Free legal organizations can help you:
- Understand what happened and whether it constitutes fraud or theft
- File complaints with the appropriate agencies
- Take legal action to recover assets or stop ongoing exploitation
- Set up protective documents like a durable power of attorney that protects your finances in the future
You can also report elder abuse by calling the New York State Office of Children and Family Services Adult Protective Services hotline at 1-844-697-3505 (24 hours, 7 days a week). NYC Adult Protective Services can also be reached through 311.
How to Take Action: Step-by-Step
- Identify your issue: Is it housing (eviction, lease dispute, rent increase)? Estate planning (will, health care proxy)? Elder abuse or financial exploitation? Consumer fraud or contractor problems? Each organization has specialties — knowing your issue helps you reach the right place faster.
- Call 311 first: Ask for the NYC Department for the Aging. They can connect you with borough-specific legal services funded by the city. This is the simplest starting point.
- For estate planning: Contact the City Bar Justice Center Elderlaw Project at 212-382-6658. They specialize in wills and advance directives for older adults.
- For housing or eviction issues: Contact Legal Aid Society at 212-577-3300 or reach out through NYC Aging’s legal program.
- For Queens residents: JASA Legal Services at jasa.org handles a wide range of elder law matters.
- Not sure where to start? Visit lawhelpny.org and search by your ZIP code and legal topic. The site lists every free legal program serving your area.
- If you are reporting elder abuse: Call 1-844-697-3505 (NY State Adult Protective Services) any time, 24/7. You can also call 311 and ask for Adult Protective Services.
Resources at a Glance
- NYC Aging Legal Services: nyc.gov/site/dfta/services/legal-help.page — or call 311
- City Bar Justice Center Elderlaw Project: 212-382-6658 | citybarjusticecenter.org/projects/elderlaw-project/
- JASA Legal Services (Queens): jasa.org/services/legal
- Legal Aid Society Elder Law Unit: 212-577-3300 | legalaidnyc.org/programs-projects-units/elder-law/
- LawHelpNY (find programs near you): lawhelpny.org
- NY State Adult Protective Services (report elder abuse): 1-844-697-3505 (24/7)
This article provides general information about available legal services and is not legal advice. For guidance specific to your situation, contact one of the free legal service providers listed above or consult a licensed attorney. Immigration status, income, and geographic location may affect eligibility for specific programs — contact providers directly to confirm.
Related: Free Medicare Help Through HIICAP and Aging Connect | The NYC Rent Freeze Program: SCRIE and DRIE
