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Financial & Legal Aid
Free legal help, housing counselors, and government benefits you may be eligible for.
Financial and Legal Aid
Financial trouble and legal trouble often arrive together. A man loses his job, falls behind on rent, faces an eviction, and suddenly he is standing in front of a judge with no idea what his rights are. This page is for that man.
Every resource listed here is free or low-cost. None of them require you to have money up front. All of them exist to help people in exactly the situation you may be in.
Free Legal Help
Legal Services Corporation
The federal funder of civil legal aid in the U.S. Use their tool to find free legal services in your state.
Civil matters only — not criminal defense.
National Homelessness Law Center
Information about housing, income, education, civil rights, and poverty law. Formerly the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty.
HUD-Approved Housing Counselors
1-800-569-4287
Free, HUD-approved counseling for renters, homeowners, and people facing foreclosure or eviction.
LawHelp.org
Find legal aid programs and self-help information by state and legal issue.
Benefits and Financial Assistance
Benefits.gov
The official U.S. government benefits finder. Answer a few questions and see what federal and state programs you may be eligible for.
USA.gov Benefits Finder
A simpler government benefits tool — including food assistance, housing, healthcare, and unemployment.
Social Security Administration
1-800-772-1213
Apply for retirement, disability (SSDI), and supplemental security income (SSI) benefits.
211
Dial 211
Dial 211 to reach local referrals for rent assistance, utility help, food, and other emergency financial support.
Housing and Eviction Help
HUD Resource Locator
Find affordable housing, public housing, and housing choice voucher information near you.
Public Housing Agency Contacts
1-800-955-2232
Contact your local Public Housing Agency to apply for Section 8 or public housing.
HUD Housing Counselors
1-800-569-4287
Free, HUD-approved counseling for renters, homeowners, and anyone facing eviction or foreclosure.
Sources
- Legal Services Corporation: lsc.gov
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: hud.gov
- Benefits.gov: benefits.gov
- United Way — 211: 211.org