The following nine agencies provide free legal services in the Rochester, NY area for those who meet their eligibility requirements:
1) THE ADVOCACY CENTER Individual advocacy, legal information, referrals, newsletters and workshops for persons in Western New York with developmental disabilities and their families. Must be a person or a family member of one with developmental disabilities or a traumatic brain injury.
(585) 546-1700.
www.advocacycenter.com
2) EMPIRE JUSTICE CENTER: Legal advice and representation for low-income people on civil matters:
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) – eligibility for benefits.
- Fair Lending (nondiscrimination in credit).
- Fair Housing
- Special Education.
- Public Benefits Litigation (cash assistance, food stamps, Medicaid, Child care).
- Disability Rights.
- Public and Subsidized Housing Litigation.
- Health Law (access to health care).
- Public Benefits for families affected by HIV disease.
Eligibility generally is income below 185% of poverty index. There are some exceptions for special grants.
(585) 530-3050.
TTY: 585-325-0247.
http://www.empirejustice.org/
3) FARMWORKER LEGAL SERVICES OF NEW YORK, INC.
Legal representation, education and litigation only for indigent migrant and seasonal farm workers concentrating in Labor Law and Civil Rights.
(585) 325-3050.
www.flsny.org
4) LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK
Civil legal services in Monroe County and several surrounding counties, including: legal information and/or referral; technical assistance; and representation in court. The Civil Legal Services Unit is for Monroe County only, unless otherwise noted.
The Family Law Unit is for Domestic Violence in Monroe and Orleans Counties.
Child Support Limited Means Hispanic Outreach.
The Housing Unit is for Tenant Advocacy Owner/Tenant Mediation.
The Children’s Unit does Youth Advocacy in Monroe, Orleans, Genesee and Livingston Counties. The
General Law Unit handles immigration in Monroe, Wayne, Orleans, Livingston, Oswego, Niagara, Genesee and Steuben Counties.
Applicants must meet residency, income eligibility and program requirements. Each program has individual guidelines.
(585) 232-4090
www.lasroc.org
If you should need legal guidance other than what is listed above, please see our Rochester Attorneys section on our website.