Other Resources
Self Help
Other Resources
Broken down by Federal, State, Capital Region, and North Country. This is provided as a guide; many other useful resources can be found online.
Federal
Internal Revenue Service
File your federal income taxes for free, get your tax records, set up payment plans to pay back taxes, delay collection and more.
Social Security Administration
Sign up for a social security card for first time; apply for Medicare, and retirement, disability survivor or Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI) benefits
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services
Access to online forms to apply for citizenship, green card, employment, naturalization based on family, military status.
United States Committee for Refugees and Immigrants
Provides access to free immigration legal services, as well as social services (medical and mental health) to unaccompanied migrant children
State
Attorney General
- Identity Theft: Information and resources on identify theft as well as a place to file a formal complaint.
- File a complaint relating to a violation of housing, consumer, health care, discrimination or other rights:
AyudaLegalNY.org
Pagina web de información y asistencia legal de Nueva York.
Community Courts Action Program
Provides accessibility to any person seeking assistance from the NYS Court System who may not have access to a home computer and/or internet service, who may need some assistance in accessing the courts, or who may not be able to be able to get to the physical courthouse for a variety of reasons such as transportation, childcare, or personal safety.
Disability Rights NY
Provides free legal services with children and adults living with disabilities and connects with resources for education, employment, housing and accessibility.
Empire Justice Center
Provides direct legal services in following issue areas: civil rights, crime victims, domestic violence, economic justice & housing, education, government benefits, heath, immigration, LGBTQ rights, police reform project, school discrimination, social security/SSI, and student debt counseling
Family Legal Care
Legal Resources Guide offers step-by-step guides covering over 60 family law topics in nine languages
Find Help
Free or reduced-cost resources like food, housing, financial assistance, health care, and more in your area, anywhere in the U.S.
Free Legal Answers
A virtual legal advice clinic in which qualifying users post their civil legal questions at no cost to be answered by attorneys licensed in New York.
LawHelp/NY
Legal information, self-help court assistance, and resource directory.
Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels NYS chapter, a nonprofit that provides nourishing food and company to house-bound seniors.
New York Connects
Provides free information about long-term services and supports people of all ages with any type of disability.
NYS Bar Association Public Resources
Resources available to the public, forms, labor and employment guides, and access to lawyer referral services and pro-bono services, among others.
New York Center for Law & Justice
Represents individual deaf and hard of hearing clients in a range of civil matters, pursuing policy and practice changes within New York City institutions and raising awareness around deaf and hard of hearing causes and issues.
NYCLU/ACLU of New York
The New York/American Civil Liberties Union Public-interest law firm focused on civil liberties and civil rights issues for those living in New York State; access their extensive library of “Know Your Rights” materials
NYS Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Residential services include domestic violence shelter, safe homes and safe dwellings. Non-residential services include telephone hotline assistance, information, referral, counseling, advocacy, community education and outreach services.
New York State Court’s Programs & Initiatives
Provides information on jury service, alternative dispute resolution, court interpreting services
- Access to Justice allows users to download official court forms and information on virtual court appearances
- e-Courts provides information on how legal documents can be filed electronically.
NYS Dept of Social Services
A library of all 110 Social Programs offered in NYS. Programs are available for people with disabilities, equal opportunities, families, low-income individuals and families, tax-filing, and veterans.
NYS Division of Human Rights
Report hate or bias incidents online or via hotline
NYS Office of Children and Family Services
Search for childcare, apply for financial assistance to pay for child care; report suspected abuse in a child care facility
NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance
Apply for HEAP (heating and energy assistance), SNAP (supplemental nutritional assistance), ERAP (emergency rental arrears)
NYS Office of Victim Services
File a claim for financial compensation; financial assistance with funeral/burial costs; sexual assault assistance
NYS Office of the Aging
Resources for older adults and their caregivers such as in-home and other supportive services.
NYS Department of Tax and Finance
Print forms to file your state income taxes (personal/business), set up a payment plan for back taxes, information on STAR exemption.
Prisoners’ Legal Services of NY
Provides legal representation and assistance to indigent prisoners and their families
Public Utility Law Project
Getting or shutting off electric or natural gas service, filing a complaint, apply for assistance
Capital Region
Albany Damien Center
Provide programs and services for individuals and families, free-of-charge, to those who are living with or affected by HIV/AIDS
Albany Guardian Society
Provides education and support to older adults and their communities. They offer classes as well as housing and transportation directories.
Albany Homeless
Resources for those living in City of Albany who are homeless, soon to be homeless; in need of nutritious food; under 18 and homeless; victim of domestic violence and homeless
Bethesda House of Schenectady
An interfaith ministry serving the homeless, disabled, and economically disadvantaged citizens of Schenectady County.
CAPTAIN
Provides support for the unhoused and housing insecure in Halfmoon and surrounding areas. This support includes a store with gently used clothes and home goods, programs for runaway and homeless youth, services for seniors, and more.
Equinox
Substance abuse counseling center, domestic violence and mental health services; youth services, suicide hotline
Family Counseling Center of Fulton County
Children and family services, domestic violence programs, a behavioral health clinic, and telehealth options that are available to community members of Gloversville and Fulton County.
Homeless and Travelers Aid Society
Provides short-term support for shelter, food, and basic support of those homeless in the Capital Region and s
In Our Own Voices
Focuses on the empowerment of LGBTQ+ POC through services including counselling and emotional support groups, emergency assistance (i.e., food pantry, emergency financial assistance), and more.
Jewish Family Services NENY
Supports people of all ages and faiths by providing counseling services, care management, partnering with meals on wheels to deliver food to those in need, and other services for older adults specifically.
Justice Center at Albany Law School
Acts as an in-house public interest law-firm, providing free legal services to eligible clients in the Capital Region with issues concerning immigration, health, domestic and family violence
The Legal Project
Provides a variety of free legal services to victims of domestic violence
Mental Health Association of Columbia-Green Counties
Provides support for mental health, recovery, education, and assistance for individuals, children, and families in Columbia and Greene Counties.
Mohawk Hudson Humane Society Safe Haven Program
Takes in pets for victims currently in domestic violence sheltering programs offered by Unity House of Troy or Equinox
Ronald McDonald House Charities
Provides housing and meals; emotional support for families seeking local medical treat for their seriously ill children.
Schenectady Community Action Program – SCAP
Helping people in poverty by offering education, family stabilization, and employment programs.
Unity House of Troy
Provides services and support to individuals living with mental illness, homeless, victims of domestic violence; as well as basic needs of meals and clothing.
Wellspring, Inc.
Free services for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault including 24-hour hotline, crisis intervention and counseling, emergency shelter for individuals and pets and emergency transport to local hospital.
North Country
Social Services
Find your District Department of Social Services. Programs are available for people with disabilities, equal opportunities, families, low-income individuals and families, tax-filing, and veterans.
Clinton County Food Pantries
List of food pantries located in Clinton County
St. Lawrence County Neighborhood Centers
Six centers have food pantries and provide emergency aid (food, fuel, utilities or shelter). Thrift stores with donated clothing and household items are available at the Canton and Gouverneur locations.