Legal Aid
Free & Low-Cost Legal Help in New York
Most disability legal aid is free if you know where to ask. Here's who actually takes special-education, Medicaid, OPWDD, housing, and benefits cases in NY.
Special Education & School Discipline
- Free helpline Mon–Thu 10am–4pm.
OPWDD Denials & Fair Hearings
- •You have 60 days from an OPWDD eligibility denial to request a Fair Hearing.
- •You have 60 days from a Medicaid service denial to request a Fair Hearing.
- •Most disability rights groups will help prep — call early; hearings book up.
Medicaid, SSI & Benefits
Housing & Eviction
- •Right to Counsel in NYC Housing Court — every tenant facing eviction qualifies for a free lawyer.
- •Outside NYC: call your local Legal Aid or Legal Services office.
Guardianship, SDM & Estate Planning
- •Article 17-A guardianship for adults with developmental disabilities — Surrogate's Court.
- •Article 81 guardianship for adults with cognitive impairment — Supreme Court.
- •Supported Decision-Making (SDM) is the less-restrictive alternative — NYSARC and others have free toolkits.
Pro Bono & Bar Referrals
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