Some organizations can only serve you if you earn less than a certain amount of money.  This limit is either a percentage of the "poverty level" set by the government, or is a certain dollar amount.  LawHelp/NY cannot guarantee that an organization can help you even if you  meet the income requirements.

Many legal services groups use the charts below to decide who can receive help.  The chart below can help you see if you are eligible for services.  It shows you how much money you earn to be at 125%, $187.5% or 200% of what the U.S. government considers to be the poverty level.  "Family Size" in the column on the left is the total number of people in the household.

Yearly Income as a Percentage of the 2008 Federal Poverty Level 

 

Family size 125% 187.5% 200% 1 $12,762 $19,500 $20,420 2 $17,112 $26,250 $27,380 3 $21,462 $33,000 $34,340 4 $25,812 $39,750 $41,300 5 $30,162 $46,500 $48,260 6 $34,512 $53,250 $55,220 7 $38,862 $60,000 $62,180 8 $43,212 $66, 750 $69,140 For each additional family member add $4,350 $6,750 $6,960

Some organizations may make exceptions for seniors, people who are HIV positive, or people experiencing domestic violence.

Some organizations also take into account expenses such as childcare, medical bills and debts.

If you are not eligible for free services because your income is too high, or you were injured on the job or by someone's negligence, please contact the City Bar's Legal Referral Service. Outside New York City, try the New York State Bar Association's statewide directory of lawyer referral service programs.

• Full Representation by a lawyer or a legal advocate in court or at a hearing at a government agency
• Brief Advice in person or over the telephone 
• Pro Se Legal Clinic where you are shown how to "help yourself" with a particular legal problem
• Self-Help Materials such as educational factsheets and brochures
• Other workshops and other services

Some organizations only serve special groups such as:

• Children 
• Seniors 
• People who are HIV positive or related to those with HIV. 
• People experiencing domestic violence.

Be sure to look at these other requirements carefully before contacting an organization.