Legal aid in the United States is delivered through Legal Services Corporation (LSC)-funded nonprofits, law school clinics, pro bono panels, and court self-help centers. Most programs serve women at or below 125–200% of the Federal Poverty Level and handle family law, housing, public benefits, immigration, and protective orders. The American Bar Association's Commission on Women in the Profession and the National Women's Law Center supplement local services. For women, the most common legal aid needs are custody, divorce, child support, VAWA-based immigration relief, and DV protective orders — all areas LSC grantees regularly handle. This directory aggregates state legal aid offices, women's legal clinics, and bar referral panels.
New York has separate Family Court (for custody, support, paternity, DV) and Supreme Court (for divorce) systems. NYC's Family Court operates in all five boroughs. The Office of Child Support Services runs enforcement. NYC, Buffalo, Rochester, Yonkers, and Syracuse are the major metros. Legal Aid Society of NYC, Sanctuary for Families, NYLAG, and the NYS Coalition Against Domestic Violence serve women.
Legal Services NYC provides civil legal issues including family law, housing, and benefits appeals for women in New York. Reach the team at (917) 661-4500 to schedule a screening. Service hours run Mon-Fri 9am-5pm; ask about after-hours options if needed. Services are offered at no cost to women who meet program criteria.
(917) 661-4500 · 40 Worth St Suite 606, New York, NY 10013 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website
Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo works with women across New York on civil legal issues including family law, housing, and benefits appeals. Dial (716) 853-9555 for an initial conversation about your situation. Open Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm — confirm by phone before driving in. Free for qualifying New York mothers and their children.
(716) 853-9555 · 237 Main St Suite 1000, Buffalo, NY 14203 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website
Legal Assistance of Western New York provides civil legal issues including family law, housing, and benefits appeals for women in Rochester. Call (585) 325-2520 to start intake or ask which services you qualify for. Hours are Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, and walk-ins may be accepted depending on staffing. Free of charge for women meeting income or program eligibility.
(585) 325-2520 · 1 W Main St Suite 800, Rochester, NY 14614 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website
Her Justice — NYC provides civil legal issues including family law, housing, and benefits appeals for women in New York. Reach the team at (212) 695-1195 to schedule a screening. Service hours run Mon-Fri 9am-5pm; ask about after-hours options if needed. Free of charge for women meeting income or program eligibility.
(212) 695-1195 · 100 Broadway 10th Floor, New York, NY 10005 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website
New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) provides civil legal issues including family law, housing, and benefits appeals for women in New York. Dial (212) 613-5000 for an initial conversation about your situation. Service hours run Mon-Fri 9am-5pm; ask about after-hours options if needed. Services are offered at no cost to women who meet program criteria.
(212) 613-5000 · 7 Hanover Sq, New York, NY 10004 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website
Online portal connecting low-income residents with free legal resources for qualifying low-income women. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for qualifying low-income women who need vetted, plain-language information on family law, housing, public benefits, immigration, and consumer protection. Hours 24/7 online — free for qualifying women.
Online resource · 24/7 online · Visit Website
Sanctuary for Families — Legal Services is a New York free legal help helping mothers with civil legal issues including family law, housing, and benefits appeals. Reach the team at (212) 349-6009 to schedule a screening. Service hours run Mon-Fri 9am-5pm; ask about after-hours options if needed. Free of charge for women meeting income or program eligibility.
(212) 349-6009 · PO Box 1406, New York, NY 10276 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website
LSC funds civil legal aid programs nationwide. Find local LSC-funded legal aid in your state for qualifying low-income women. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for qualifying low-income women who need vetted, plain-language information on family law, housing, public benefits, immigration, and consumer protection. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Free legal help directory connecting low-income people to local legal aid programs in every state for qualifying low-income women. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for qualifying low-income women who need vetted, plain-language information on family law, housing, public benefits, immigration, and consumer protection. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.
Nationwide · Online
American Bar Association directory of free and reduced-fee legal help, pro bono programs, and court self-help centers for qualifying low-income women. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for qualifying low-income women who need vetted, plain-language information on family law, housing, public benefits, immigration, and consumer protection. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Network connecting low-income people with pro bono attorneys. Online tools and clinic directory for qualifying low-income women. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for qualifying low-income women who need vetted, plain-language information on family law, housing, public benefits, immigration, and consumer protection. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Free directory of legal aid offices, pro bono programs, and self-help resources organized by state for qualifying low-income women. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for qualifying low-income women who need vetted, plain-language information on family law, housing, public benefits, immigration, and consumer protection. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Legal information and lawyer search specifically for women navigating abuse, custody, and family court. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for qualifying low-income women who need vetted, plain-language information on family law, housing, public benefits, immigration, and consumer protection. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Legal advocacy resources for survivors including state-specific protective order information. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for qualifying low-income women who need vetted, plain-language information on family law, housing, public benefits, immigration, and consumer protection. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Legal aid for veterans and military families. Federal benefits, family law, and consumer protection. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for qualifying low-income women who need vetted, plain-language information on family law, housing, public benefits, immigration, and consumer protection. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
DOJ-recognized immigration legal aid organizations searchable by state for qualifying low-income women. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for qualifying low-income women who need vetted, plain-language information on family law, housing, public benefits, immigration, and consumer protection. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website