Manhattan community resources · Sources reviewed October 26, 2026
Seven selected routes to civil legal help, information and referrals. These include Manhattan offices and citywide services. This directory does not cover every legal provider or criminal-defense service.
Civil legal help and referrals
1. Manhattan Legal Services — Legal Services NYC
Harlem: 2090 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10027; downtown: 40 Worth Street, Suite 704, New York, NY 10013
917-661-4500
Shared legal intake, Monday–Friday 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m., with assistance in all languages. Civil legal help for low-income residents depends on the issue and capacity. Call intake before visiting either office. The Manhattan office general number is 646-442-3100.
2. The Legal Aid Society — Access to Benefits Helpline
Telephone intake for benefits and health-coverage matters
888-663-6880
Help with Medicaid, Medicare or other coverage denials and federal disability-benefit appeals (SSI/SSDI). Published hours: Monday–Friday 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Ask whether your issue is covered; this is not a general criminal-defense intake line.
3. City Bar Justice Center — Legal Hotline
NYC-wide civil legal assistance
212-626-7383
Attorney-staffed hotline for people with limited income, covering civil matters including housing, family law, benefits and consumer debt. Current hotline hours: Monday–Thursday 10 a.m.–noon and 2–4 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m.–noon. Interpreting services are available. Online intake is another option.
4. Family Legal Care — Helpline
Phone, secure email and chat; no office walk-ins
212-343-1122
Family Court information and referrals in English and Spanish, with appointments with staff attorneys available for deeper case support. The helpline itself gives legal information rather than advice about your individual situation. Ask about the service appropriate to your case and appointment availability.
5. Housing Court Answers
Telephone information and referrals for NYC Housing Court
212-962-4795
Monday–Friday 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Ask about Housing Court procedures, tenant and landlord rules, and referrals to free legal help. The organization does not provide direct money to pay rent arrears.
6. NYC Tenant Helpline
Citywide housing support and referrals
311
Ask for the Tenant Helpline. Free, multilingual help with tenant rights and housing resources, including referrals to legal services. Available regardless of immigration status. A referral is not a guarantee that a lawyer will take a case.
7. LawHelpNY — legal directory and self-help resources
Online statewide search by ZIP code and legal issue
Search for free legal-service providers and information about housing, family, benefits, employment and other issues. Contact the listed organization to confirm its current eligibility rules and intake process.
Before you call
Have relevant notices, deadlines and case papers ready for the provider. Ask about eligibility, language access and whether help is limited to information, brief advice or representation. Contacting a hotline does not stop a court deadline or create a guaranteed attorney-client relationship. Details were checked against official provider and city sources; telephone numbers have not been tested by calling.
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