Coronavirus (COVID-19) Alert

All pending eviction orders are suspended until further notice, as ordered by Chief Administrative Judge Marks.  No tenant may be evicted until there is a change to the court order.  Under new state legislation, if you have experienced a financial hardship any time between March 7, 2020 and the date that all COVID-related safety restrictions are lifted in the region, you may not be evicted for failing to pay rent first owed during that period.

Your landlord can still collect rent as scheduled, and if you can pay your rent, you should continue to do so.  If you need help paying rent, go to the Public Assistance or Welfare page.

To learn about the latest updates to this information, you can contact the City’s Tenant Helpline. The Mayor's Office to Protect Tenants (MOPT) is available to assist you with questions about your tenancy and connect you with free legal assistance through HRA’s Office of Civil Justice.

For more information, go to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources and Support page.

Office of Civil Justice (OCJ)

The City's Office of Civil Justice (OCJ), a unit of the Human Resources Administration (HRA), provides a range of free legal services to New Yorkers in need. 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 OCJ.

OCJ legal services are free and you do not have to be an existing HRA client to apply.

Legal services are available regardless of immigration status.

Online

Learn more about OCJ and free legal services.

Email

civiljustice@hra.nyc.gov

New York City Bar Association

You can get legal assistance and lawyer referrals. Cases handled include:

  • Accidents and medical malpractice
  • Criminal defense
  • Employment discrimination and wage disputes
  • Immigration
  • Marriage and family-related cases
  • Property, landlord, and tenant disputes
  • Wills, trusts, estates, and insurance issues
  • Workers compensation and work-related injuries

Online

Get free legal advice from LawHelp.

Request a lawyer from the New York City Bar.

By Phone

  • Agency: New York City Bar Association
  • Division: Lawyer Referral Service
  • Phone Number: (212) 626-7373
  • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM
  • Assistance is also available in Spanish.

To learn about other kinds of help for immigrants, visit the Immigration and Citizenship page.

Community-based organizations provide seniors age 60 and older with legal assistance.

Use Site Finder to search for a Legal Service Provider.

In you are a tenant, you may also want to get help for specific situations. Visit the Eviction Prevention and HomeBase or Tenant Harassment page if needed.

Veterans can get free legal assistance and referrals by phone.

Veterans can also get help with discharge upgrades, disability claims, and benefits.

Call 311 for assistance.

A living will is a legal document created by an attorney that specifies your health care instructions. This document may also appoint a health care representative to make health care decisions on your behalf.

A health care proxy is a trusted person you select to make health care decisions for you. To learn more, visit the Health Care Proxy page.

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