Brooklyn resource guide · Sources reviewed October 25, 2026
Seven resources for finding free civil legal assistance and information in Brooklyn. Some are citywide hotlines serving Brooklyn; others have local offices. Eligibility, subject matter and provider capacity determine whether help is available. Legal Aid’s two specialist intake routes are listed separately below.
Choose the right starting point
- General civil legal problems: Legal Services NYC or the City Bar Justice Center hotline.
- SNAP, public assistance, SSI/SSDI or health benefits: Legal Aid’s Access to Benefits line.
- Family Court questions: Family Legal Care for information, or the specialist Brooklyn Legal Aid intake for possible legal assistance.
- Consumer debt, life planning and other Brooklyn matters: check Access Justice Brooklyn’s current intake restrictions.
For workplace problems, select the employment topic in LawHelpNY’s directory or describe the issue when contacting a general civil legal hotline. See our separate housing help guide and immigration services guide for more targeted contacts.
1. Legal Services NYC / Brooklyn Legal Services
New legal-help requests: 917-661-4500, Monday–Friday, 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m.
Brooklyn office contact: 718-237-5500
Court Street office: 105 Court Street, 4th Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201.
Free civil legal services for low-income Brooklyn residents. Use the intake hotline for a new request; assistance depends on eligibility, location and capacity. Language assistance is available. Confirm which office handles your issue and whether an appointment is needed before visiting.
Official source: LSNYC intake process and hours · Official source: Brooklyn Legal Services locations
2. City Bar Justice Center — Legal Hotline
Legal hotline: 212-626-7383
Attorney assistance for callers of limited income on civil matters including family, housing, benefits, debt collection and bankruptcy. Interpretation is available. The published phone hours are Monday–Thursday, 10 a.m.–noon and 2–4 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m.–noon. An online request option is also linked on the official page. Hotline assistance does not guarantee ongoing representation.
Official source: City Bar Justice Center Legal Hotline
3. Access Justice Brooklyn
Intake: 718-624-3894, Monday–Thursday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., or use online intake.
Appointment location: 203 Jay Street, Suite 300, Brooklyn, NY 11201.
Free civil legal help for full-time Brooklyn residents who meet income guidelines; the published threshold is at or below 200% of federal poverty guidelines. Current restriction: the organization says it is not accepting new intake applications for bankruptcy, custody, visitation, child support or spousal support matters. Other requests are screened for eligibility and capacity. Intake is by phone or online; in-person meetings are by appointment only.
Official source: Access Justice Brooklyn — eligibility and current intake notice
4. The Legal Aid Society — Access to Benefits
Specialist helpline: 888-663-6880, Monday–Friday, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Help with government benefits and public assistance, including SNAP, SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, Medicare and other health insurance issues. Describe the benefit and problem when you call; staff determine what assistance is available. This is the benefits helpline, not a universal intake line for every legal issue.
Official source: The Legal Aid Society — government benefits
5. The Legal Aid Society — Brooklyn family-law intake
Brooklyn contact: 718-422-2838
The provider lists intake on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month, 10 a.m.–noon and 2–4 p.m. The practice assists with family, domestic violence and divorce matters, subject to its screening and capacity. Check the current schedule and explain your issue when calling; this contact is separate from Legal Aid’s benefits helpline.
Official source: The Legal Aid Society — family-law intake by borough
6. Family Legal Care — Helpline
Helpline: 212-343-1122
Family Court legal information, referrals and routes to appointments with staff attorneys for more detailed case support. The bilingual English/Spanish helpline provides information rather than advice about your individual situation. Ask staff which services fit your needs. The organization requests no walk-ins; begin by phone or through its official online contact options.
Official source: Family Legal Care Helpline
7. LawHelpNY — free legal-services directory
Search by Brooklyn, Kings County or ZIP code and legal topic to find additional free legal services. This is a directory, not a promise that an organization can accept your case. Review each provider’s geography, eligibility and intake instructions.
Official source: LawHelpNY legal directory
Before requesting help
Have the relevant notices, case number, hearing dates and documents available for the provider’s intake questions. Tell staff about upcoming deadlines and ask whether they can assist with your specific matter. Confirm eligibility, available services and appointments directly. This directory provides contacts rather than individual legal advice. Online sources were checked October 25, 2026; telephone lines were not tested.