If you live in New York and cannot afford a private attorney, several organizations provide free or low-cost civil legal aid serving New York City (all five boroughs). These groups help with evictions, unsafe housing, domestic violence, consumer debt, family law, immigration-related civil matters, disability benefits, senior legal needs, and more. (You may upload legal documents to LegalClarity for a plain-English explanation - informational only, not legal advice.)
Major Legal Aid Providers Serving New York
The Legal Aid Society (NYC)
What they do: The Legal Aid Society is the oldest and largest provider of free civil legal services in New York City. They handle eviction defense, housing conditions, domestic violence, family law, public benefits, immigration civil matters, consumer debt, disability, and civil rights across all five boroughs.
Who they help: Low-income individuals and families across all five boroughs of New York City.
Contact: Phone: (212) 577-3300. Website: legalaidnyc.org.
Legal Services NYC (LSNYC)
What they do: LSNYC provides free civil legal help to low-income New Yorkers across all boroughs, with offices in each borough. They handle housing (eviction, tenant rights, public housing), public benefits, family law, consumer debt, immigration civil matters, and elder law.
Who they help: Low-income individuals and families in all five NYC boroughs.
Contact: Phone: (917) 661-4500. Website: legalservicesnyc.org.
New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG)
What they do: NYLAG provides free civil legal services and advocacy for low-income New Yorkers including immigrants, tenants, seniors, and individuals with health or disability-related issues. They handle housing, public benefits, immigration civil matters, family law, health care, and consumer issues.
Who they help: Low-income individuals and families, immigrants, seniors, and people with disabilities in New York City.
Contact: Phone: (212) 613-5000. Website: nylag.org.
Safe Horizon - NYC DV Hotline
What they do: Provides 24-hour crisis support, shelter referrals, legal advocacy, protective order assistance, and safety planning for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault across all five NYC boroughs.
Who they help: Survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in New York City.
24/7 Hotline: (800) 621-4673. Website: safehorizon.org.
Common Civil-Legal Issues Covered in New York
- Eviction defense and unsafe housing conditions
- Landlord retaliation and habitability problems
- Domestic violence and protection orders
- Custody, visitation, and child support issues
- Debt collection, repossessions, and garnishment
- Public-benefits denials (SNAP, Medicaid, SSI/SSDI)
- Foreclosure prevention and homeowner assistance
- Immigration-related civil help
- Record sealing and expungement
- Elder law and financial exploitation prevention
- Civil rights and discrimination claims
- Consumer fraud and predatory lending
What New York Legal Aid Usually Cannot Handle
- Criminal defense cases
- Traffic violations
- Personal injury or malpractice lawsuits
- Business or commercial disputes
- Immigration removal (deportation) defense
- High-asset or heavily contested divorce cases
When New York Residents Should Seek Help Immediately
- You receive an eviction notice: New York City has Right to Counsel in housing court for income-eligible tenants - contact Legal Aid Society at (212) 577-3300 or LSNYC at (917) 661-4500 immediately.
- You experience domestic violence: Call Safe Horizon at (800) 621-4673 for 24-hour crisis support, shelter referrals, and legal advocacy.
- You are an immigrant with civil legal needs: Legal Aid Society, LSNYC, and NYLAG all serve immigrants in New York City.
- Your public benefits were denied: All three major organizations handle public benefits appeals - call immediately as deadlines are strict.
- You need a protective order: Legal Aid Society and Safe Horizon both assist with protective orders in family and supreme court.
How to Prepare Before Contacting Legal Aid
- Gather documents: leases, eviction notices, court papers, photos of housing conditions, debt collection letters, benefit denial letters, ID, pay stubs, and any disability or immigration documentation.
- Create a timeline: note key dates - notices received, repair requests, payments missed, and upcoming court or hearing dates.
- Prepare financial information: household size, monthly income, expenses, and current benefits - eligibility screening requires this.
- Write a brief issue summary: 2-3 sentences describing what happened and what outcome you need.
- Note urgent factors: upcoming court dates, eviction deadlines, risk of homelessness, violence, disability, or pending benefit cutoffs.
Alternatives If You Don't Qualify for Free Legal Aid
- New York City Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service: low-cost attorney consultations at (212) 626-7373.
- LawHelpNY.org: free legal forms, plain-English guides, and self-help resources at www.lawhelpny.org.
- LegalClarity document upload: receive a plain-English explanation of your legal documents (informational only).
Conclusion: Where New York Residents Should Start
If you need civil legal help in New York and cannot afford a private attorney, call The Legal Aid Society (NYC) at (212) 577-3300. For domestic violence emergencies, call Safe Horizon at (800) 621-4673 right away. If you don't qualify for free services, contact the New York City Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service at (212) 626-7373. You can also upload your documents to LegalClarity for a plain-English explanation - informational only, not legal advice.