Search LawHelpNY for legal information and free legal aid where you live. Scroll down for tips on how to search this website.
If you need help finding something, click on the chat button in the bottom right corner of your screen to connect to LiveHelp.
There are three sections on the site where you can search for the information you need:
-
Get Legal Info: Includes Know Your Legal Rights information, self-help materials, and interactive interviews that help you prepare papers for court and fair hearings. You can print out these resources.
-
Find a Lawyer: Lists all the free legal aid offices and programs near that might be able to offer you free legal help. Enter your county or zipcode, then click on the category of law and type of legal problem you have.
-
Talk to someone: Go to our hotlines page or go to LiveHelp for an online chat with a volunteer, to connect you to helpful legal information.
LawHelpNY does not provide legal advice. You can get legal advice from a lawyer.
Legal aid organizations cannot represent everyone because they don't have enough lawyers. Some organizations offer a range of helpful services, including:
- Full representation by a lawyer or a legal advocate in court or at an agency hearing
- Brief advice in person or over the phone
- Legal clinic on how to help yourself
- Self-help materials such as fact sheets and instructions
- Other workshops and services
In most civil cases, the court does not assign you a free lawyer. You have to find your own lawyer. If your employer does not pay a lot, you might qualify for free or low-cost legal help at a legal aid organization. Many legal aid offices use the Federal Poverty Guidelines chart to decide who they can help. See an example from 2021 below, or link to this updated Federal Poverty Guidelines chart.
Look for your family size, then review the boxes to the right to see where your annual income falls on the chart. Some organizations can serve people with incomes over these levels. If you're not sure, call the legal aid organization to find out if you qualify for their services.
|
Family Size |
100% |
125% |
187.5% |
200% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
$12,880 |
$16,100 |
$24,150 |
$25,760 |
|
2 |
$17,420 |
$21,775 |
$32,663 |
$34,840 |
|
3 |
$21,960 |
$27,450 |
$41,175 |
$43,920 |
|
4 |
$26,500 |
$33,125 |
$49,688 |
$53,000 |
|
5 |
$31,040 |
$38,800 |
$58,200 |
$62,080 |
|
For each additional member, add |
$4,540 |
$5,675 |
$8,513 |
$9,080 |
Note: LawHelpNY does not provide legal advice or representation.
It depends. Some organizations serve special populations such as seniors, people who are HIV positive, or people experiencing domestic violence, even if their income is more than the guidelines. Some organizations consider your expenses such as childcare, medical bills and debts. Contact the office to find out if they can serve you.
If you are not eligible for free or low-cost services because your income is too high, try the New York City Bar's Legal Referral Service. Outside New York City, try the New York State Bar Association's Lawyer Referral Service .
Not everyone can get or afford a lawyer. If you have a legal problem, here's how to help yourself:
- Read all the paperwork and notices. These can be hard to understand. Look for tips on how to respond or who to contact for help.
- Don't miss deadlines or court dates. If you do nothing, you might automatically lose your case.
- Use this site to research your problem. Check nonprofit, court, and government websites for information too.
- Use the hotlines, help centers, court clerks and others to ask for help to understand your case.
- If you have a case in court, tell the judge if you don't understand what to do. (Don't be intimidated. The courts are supposed to work FOR the people!)
- Don't sign papers that you don't understand.