Human Resources Administration311Search all NYC.gov websites

Legal Assistance

POTENTIAL SCAM!!!

An attorney offering services on behalf of the City of New York will never ask you to pay for those services. View this page for information about free legal services available through the Office of Civil Justice.

The City, through the Office of Civil Justice, works with a network of legal services providers. For those that are eligible, these providers offer free legal services in civil matters including:

  • Certain housing court cases
  • Immigration cases
  • Employment-related cases

If an attorney contacts you and says:

  • That they are with the Office of Civil Justice or Universal Access/Right to Counsel program, AND
  • Asks you to pay for their services, it might be a scam! Please contact us at civiljustice@hra.nyc.gov and we can let you know.

DSS' Office of Civil Justice (OCJ)

If you are facing eviction, if you need help with an immigration matter, if you are a worker facing wage theft or other workplace violations, or if you are facing other legal challenges, you may have access to free legal assistance through DSS' Office of Civil Justice (OCJ).

Through OCJ, New York City has made an extraordinary investment in legal services to level the playing field for New Yorkers in need, including tenants, immigrants, low-wage workers and other New Yorkers facing civil legal challenges. Today, New York City is a national leader in providing legal assistance to low-income families and individuals.

Learn More About

Legal Services for Tenants

Legal Services for Immigrant New Yorkers

Legal Services for Low-Wage Workers

Other Civil Legal Services

OCJ Annual Reports

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

OCJ's Universal Access to Legal Services Reports

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

Public Hearing on OCJ's Universal Access to Legal Counsel Program

Read the Notice of the Public Hearing on OCJ's Universal Access to Legal Counsel Program (February 2024) in:


2023 Video Recording (Held on February 28, 2024)

2023 Transcript (Held on February 28, 2024)

2023 Written Statements (Held on February 28, 2024)

2022 Video Recording (Held on February 24, 2023)

2022 Transcript (Held on February 24, 2023)

2022 Written Statements (Held on February 24, 2023)

2021 Transcript

2021 Written Statements

2020 Transcript

2020 Written Statements

2019 Transcript

2019 Written Statements

2018 Transcript

2018 Written Statements