Legal Assistance

Legal Assistance for Older New Yorkers

The Department for the Aging (“NYC Aging”) contracts with local organizations to provide free legal services for older New Yorkers without access to private representation under a program called Legal Assistance to Older New Yorkers. This program provides free legal services to residents aged 60 years and older in all five boroughs, in whatever language the client needs. The program aims to assist clients with a variety of legal issues including, but not limited to:

• Legal representation at administrative hearings or in court proceedings, which may include matters such as:
• Housing, including landlord/tenant issues, foreclosure, home repair fraud, utility shut offs, or home ownership/real property;
• Guardianship, or abuse or neglect cases; or
• Consumer issues such as consumer fraud, credit card fraud, bankruptcy, or reverse mortgages;
• Assistance with public benefit applications, recertifications, and/or appeals; and
• Legal advice, counseling, and referrals.

Legal support through this program can include assistance or advice to, or representation of, those who are institutionalized or homebound, have chronic health problems, are homeless or may become homeless, are a victim of abuse, neglect or exploitation, or face language barriers.

This program educates older adults about legal matters so they can be aware of their rights.

To find a legal services organization under the Legal Assistance for Older New Yorkers, use NYC Aging’s Find Services locator by clicking on “Legal Services” under the “Services” tab, or by calling Aging Connect at 212-AGING-NYC (212-244-6469) for more information.