Nassau Suffolk Law Services - The Public Benefits Unit

Nassau Suffolk Law Services is a nonprofit, public interest law firm that provides free legal assistance in civil matters to low income and disabled Long Islanders. The Public Benefits Unit provides legal assistance to persons who experience problems with public benefits programs administered by the local Departments of Social Services, including:

• Welfare (TANF and Safety Net)
• Medicaid
• Food Stamps (SNAP)
• Child Care Assistance
• HEAP
• Emergency shelter for the homeless
• Other emergency assistance programs.

We also assist low-income households in establishing Supplemental Needs Trusts to eliminate the Medicaid spend-down and assist homeless families to obtain rent supplements from DSS to leave the shelters or retain permanent housing.  

Our locations:

Hempstead Office 
1 Helen Keller Way – 5th Floor
Hempstead, NY 11550

Islandia Office
1757 Veterans Highway – Suite 50
Islandia, NY 11749

Riverhead Office 
400 West Main Street, Suite 301
Riverhead, NY 11901

How to Get Help

Please call during our regular business hours, Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Nassau residents please call (516) 292-8100. Suffolk residents please call (631) 232-2400.