Where Can I Get Rent Assistance or Eviction Help in New York?

is a free website that lists free legal services in every New York county and explains housing law in plain language. Use its Legal Directory to find the legal aid office for your county. You can also chat with a LiveHelp operator Monday to Thursday, 9 AM to 9 PM. Website: lawhelpny.org.

CourtHelp from the New York State courts can help you when you do not have a lawyer. Website: nycourts.gov/courthelp. The courts also run Court Help Centers. Help Center staff do not give legal advice and cannot represent you. Find your county's Help Center on the Court Help Centers page.

211 New York connects you to local help with food, housing, utilities (water, electric, gas), and more. It is free, confidential, and open 24 hours a day in many languages. Anyone in New York State can use it. Dial 211, or text your zip code to 898-211.

The NYS Department of Public Service takes service and billing complaints about gas, electric, water, phone, and cable TV companies. Call the Helpline at 1-800-342-3377.

The New York State Attorney General takes complaints from renters. It handles harassment (repeated pressure to make you move out), security deposits, illegal evictions, predatory landlords (landlords who use unfair tactics), and discrimination. Any renter in the state can file. File online at ag.ny.gov, or call 1-800-771-7755.

The Office of Rent Administration (ORA) at NYS Homes and Community Renewal runs rent control and rent stabilization (rent-regulated apartments). It investigates complaints about being charged too much rent, maintenance problems, and lease renewals. You can ask it for your apartment's rent history, or whether it is rent stabilized (covered by that program). Rent control still applies in some places, including New York City. Some cities, towns, and villages in Nassau, Rockland, Westchester, and Ulster Counties have adopted rent stabilization (limits rent increases). Call 1 (833) 499-0343.

The Tenant Protection Unit (TPU) at NYS Homes and Community Renewal is a state office that checks on landlords for rent-regulated tenants. It checks landlord records and looks into fraud, harassment (repeated pressure to make you move out), and illegal rent increases. It can take landlords to court. If you live in a rent-regulated apartment, you can send a report through the form on its page at hcr.ny.gov/tenant-protection-unit.

The New York State Division of Human Rights takes housing discrimination reports. Discrimination means a landlord treats you worse because of race, disability, source of income, family status, or another protected trait. Reporting is free, and you do not need a lawyer. You must report within 3 years of the most recent incident. Call (844) 697-3471, or file online at dhr.ny.gov/complaint.

Emergency Assistance from the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance can pay back rent or unpaid utility (water, electric, gas) bills. It applies when your landlord has given you eviction papers or your utilities are about to be shut off. You do not need to qualify for ongoing cash assistance to get it. Apply at your county Department of Social Services, or call 1-800-342-3009.

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) helps lower-income households pay the cost of heating their homes. To qualify, everyone in your household must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or qualified non-citizen. You must give a valid Social Security number for each person. You may qualify if your household's total monthly income before taxes is at or below the limit. You may also qualify if your household gets SNAP, Temporary Assistance, or SSI. For 2026-2027, the limit is $3,563 a month before taxes for 1 person.

An Emergency HEAP benefit can help if your heat is off or about to be shut off. It also covers electricity that runs your heating system. The heating or electric bill must be in your name. Your household income must be at or below the limit for your household size. Or you must get SNAP, Temporary Assistance, or Code A SSI for people living alone. Your household resources must be under $2,500 ($3,750 if someone is 60 or older or under 6). The 2026-2027 emergency benefit is scheduled to open November 2026.

You can apply for HEAP online, in person, or in writing. You can apply only when the HEAP season is open. Outside New York City, apply online at myBenefits.ny.gov. In New York City, apply online at access.nyc.gov. Questions about HEAP go to your HEAP Local District Contact or the OTDA hotline at 1-800-342-3009.