COVID-19 Information for Clients

Although our physical offices are closed in accordance with the Governor’s order, we remain open for business remotely.

If you need assistance from the Criminal Defense Practice or Juvenile Rights Practice continue to call our main number 212-577-3300. Indicate you need legal assistance and your call will be forwarded to an operator who will assist you.

If you need assistance from our Civil Practice call the neighborhood office in your borough:

Bronx: 718-991-4758​
Brooklyn: 718-722-3100
Manhattan: 212-426-3000
Queens: 718-286-2450
Staten Island: 347-422-5333

If you are not able to get through at first, please be patient as we work to improve our ability to assist you while working remotely.

The Access to Benefits (A2B) Helpline 888-663-6880 will be open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

A2B staff can assist NYC residents with employment and unemployment benefits matters, issues related to Medicaid/health law, SNAP, public assistance, disability, and other benefits and issues related to COVID-19. Interpreters are available for all languages.

CARES Act Stimulus Money (Economic Impact Payment aka Recovery Rebate) is a one-time payment from the government for individuals and families whose incomes are below certain levels. For more information, read our CARES Stimulus Frequently Asked Questions. Our FAQ is also available in Arabic, Bengali, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Farsi, French, Haitian Creole, Hindi, Korean, Nepali, Punjabi, Russian, Spanish and Urdu.

The Economic Impact Payment will come to you automatically, without you needing to do anything, if you:

• ​Filed a tax return for 2019 (without a spouse with an ITIN on your taxes),
• Filed a tax return for 2018 (without a spouse with an ITIN on your taxes),
• Receive Social Security benefits (including retirement, disability and survivors),​
• Receive Railroad Retirement benefits,
• Receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, or
• Are a veteran or their beneficiary receiving VA Compensation or Pension (C&P) benefits.

If you have none of the above benefits and have not filed taxes in 2019 or 2018 due to low or no income you must apply to receive an Economic Impact Payment by completing the IRS’s special Non-Filers web tool​.

Note that emergency applications may be heard in a different court building as some courts have been combined. Call the Clerk before going to court.

• If you have a pending criminal matter and you are out on bail or ROR you do not have to appear in court and your case has been administratively adjourned. New appearance dates will be sent to you.
• All Temporary Orders of Protection are continued until the next time the case is back in Court. If you have any questions, contact your attorney.
• New Arrests and Arraignments will be processed by video conference starting March 25. Because arraignments will be done by video, the court houses are closed to the public. If you need information about someone that has been arrested you can contact us at 212-577-3300 for information.
• DMV Traffic Violations Bureaus All NYS Department of Motor Vehicle Traffic Violations Bureaus Adjudications and Refusal Hearing are adjourned. More info at DMV Closings & Cancellations.

• New filings for Child Protection (ACS) intake cases involving removal applications will be heard by remote video conference and/or by telephone.
• All newly filed Juvenile Delinquency intake cases involving remand applications and modification of such orders will be heard by video conference at 100 Centre Street in Manhattan, regardless of the borough where the arrest took place.
• All emergency family offense petitions/temporary orders of protection will be heard.
• You can file a violation of a custody or visitation order, or the other parent refuses to return the child.
• All Orders to Show Cause requesting relief on an essential matter will be reviewed on submission, including failure to pay support. All Order to Show Cause must be emailed to StipsOSC1stDept@nycourts.gov (for those cases in the First Department) or StipsOSC2ndDept@nycourts.gov (for those cases in the Second Department).
• All Stipulations will be reviewed on submission. All stipulations must be emailed to StipsOSC1stDept@nycourts.gov (for those cases in the First Department) or StipsOSC2ndDept@nycourts.gov (for those cases in the Second Department.
• All existing scheduled court proceedings, except those above, will be administratively adjourned for a period of 90 days or more. Clients should not appear. New appearance dates will be sent to you.
• All Temporary Orders of Protection are continued. If you have any questions, contact your attorney.
• All Family Court matters may be viewed via live stream telecast at 100 Centre Street.

• All residential evictions are suspended through June 20.
• All pending nonessential matters are postponed and clients should not appear. New appearance dates will be sent to you.
• Cases with two attorneys (one for the landlord and one for the tenant) may be scheduled for virtual or video hearings if both sides consent. Dates will be shared with you by your attorney if both sides consent.
• The Housing Court will remain open for applications addressing post-eviction relief, landlord lockouts, emergency apartment repairs, and applications addressing serious repair orders.

Travel Ban on Certain People Seeking Green Cards During the COVID‐19 Pandemic

On April 22, 2020, President Trump issued a Proclamation suspending the entry into the U.S. of certain people seeking to become lawful permanent residents (LPRs, meaning green card holders). The Proclamation is effective as of 11:59pm on April 23, 2020, and is set to expire 60 days later, though it might be extended. Read our Travel Ban FAQ for more information.

COURTHOUSE UPDATE: Varick Street is open for filings and hearings. 290 Broadway is open only for filings. 26 Federal Plaza is open for filings and detained hearings.

• All New York immigration court non-detained hearings through June 26 are postponed and you should not appear. Notices with new hearing dates should be sent to you.
• All New York immigration court detained cases are proceeding by video teleconference. Check the court’s web site or Twitter feed @DOJ_EOIR for updates.
• For both detained and non-detained cases, you can call the immigration court’s automated system at 800-898-7180 and enter your 9-digit alien registration number (“A number”) to find out if your case has been rescheduled.
• ICE check-ins are being done by phone for now, with in-person check-ins suspended through July 1. Check the ICE Twitter feed @ICEgov for updates. Individuals can call ICE at 212-264-4213 to see when their next check-in date will be. Also, the NYC Field Office is not accepting bond payments, until at least May 15. In the meantime, the Newark Field Office is open for bond payments.
• All USCIS interviews and appointments are postponed. Although USCIS offices plan to re-open on June 4, the New York Field Office will be opening later, on a date to be determined. Check http://www.uscis.gov or this page for updates. New interview and appointment notices should be sent to you after operations resume. If you haven’t received one within a month after operations resume, call 800-375-5283 and ask to speak with a representative to find out the date of your interview or appointment.
• USCIS has expressed its intention to be flexible with the deadlines for certain submissions. This flexibility applies to Requests for Evidence (RFE), Continuations to Request Evidence (N-14), Notices of Intent to Deny (NOID), Notices of Intent to Revoke (NOIR), Notices of Intent to Rescind and Notices of Intent to Terminate, and filing date requirements for Form I-290B. This flexibility applies to the documents listed above if the issuance date listed on the request, notice, or decision is between March 1 and July 1, 2020. USCIS will consider a response to a request or notice listed above received within 60 calendar days after the response due date set in the request or notice before taking action.
• For Form I-765 applications to renew employment authorization (work permits), USCIS will reuse prior biometrics, so applicants will not need to appear for fingerprinting.

• All matters are adjourned. The court will notify you of the next court date.
• All Temporary Orders of Protection are continued until the next court date. If you have any questions, contact your attorney.
• Emergency applications in divorce matters, such as violations of custody/visitation orders, or support orders will be heard.
• Statute of limitations, time to answer and time to serve legal papers has been extended until May 7, 2020.
• Emergency applications to stop a wage garnishment, or bank account levy will be heard.
• Foreclosure auctions and evictions following a foreclosure sale are suspended until at least June 18th, 2020.
• The Court is not accepting any non-emergency papers for filing, either electronically or in person.
• Emergency applications in Guardianship Matters will be heard.
• Some conferences are being scheduled. If you are seeking a conference, you may email the court attorney to request one. If you are pro se, and receive an email from the Court or the adversary in your case, you should respond, even if it is to state that you are not able to proceed.

• All matters are adjourned. The court will notify you of the next court date.
• Statute of limitations, time to answer and time to serve legal papers has been extended until May 7, 2020.
• Emergency applications to vacate a judgment, stop a wage garnishment or bank account levy will be heard.
• The Court is not accepting any non-emergency papers for filing, either electronically or in person.
• Some conferences are being scheduled. If you are seeking a conference, you may email the court attorney to request one. If you are pro se, and receive an email from the Court or the adversary in your case, you should respond, even if it is to state that you are not able to proceed.
• All Court appearances are being handled by Skype for Business, an app you can download on your smart phone or computer.

The New York City Department of Investigation has notified all City Marshals that all eviction proceedings are suspended through June 20. Anyone with knowledge of City Marshals attempting to execute on warrants of eviction can report this activity by calling DOI’s Bureau of City Marshals at 212-825-5953. Click here for more information.

The Legal Aid Society is continuing to assist homeowners facing foreclosure and related issues. Read our informational flyer or call our helplines: ​Bronx: 646-340-1908 Queens: 718-298-8979.

We recently sat down with QNS.com to answer some of New Yorker’s most frequently asked questions about mortgages and foreclosures. Read the full Q&A here.​

• Evictions: All residential evictions are suspended until at least until July, 28. NYCHA’s Office of Impartial Hearings is closed until New York State’s “Stay at Home” order is lifted for the City. All cases scheduled for conference or hearing during this period will be automatically rescheduled. For NYCHA Section 8 Tenants, termination actions are currently suspended. For HPD Section 8 Tenants, all subsidy termination actions at 60 Gold Street are suspended until further notice. HPD will continue to pay the subsidy until a final determination is made. All tenant conferences and briefings that were scheduled will be postponed and rescheduled.
• Loss of Income: Residents experiencing loss of income are encouraged to request a rent reduction. Both NYCHA and Section 8 residents can do this online, through the NYCHA self-service portal or by calling the Customer Contact Center 718-707-7771. Keep a record of when the request was made and submit all supporting documentation within 45 days by mail or, by appointment, at your management office.
• Management Offices: Management offices will remain open and staff can assist residents via phone, email or scheduled appointments to speak with staff from behind reception, for the safety of staff and residents.
• Repairs: Non-emergency repairs and planned outages have been temporarily suspended, including inspections and scheduled maintenance visits. Emergency repairs will continue. Call the Customer Contact Center to schedule a repair at 718-707-7771.
• Seniors: NYCHA outreach is ongoing to all senior households and households that are known to rely on life-sustaining equipment. Outreach includes calling and checking in with these households about COVID-19 concerns and assisting with connecting them to resources. NYCHA hired an outside vendor to conduct deep cleanings at senior and other developments.
• Additional information for NYCHA residents is available here.

It is illegal for your landlord to change your locks, shut off your utilities, or physically remove your belongings without a court order of eviction, which have currently been suspended by the State of New York. Click here for more information on your rights and what steps you can take if your landlord has locked you out.

The SCRIE & DRIE processing unit of the NYC Department of Finance is still operating but with less staff. There is customer service staff able to assist via 311 and through online inquiries. The walk-in-center is now closed until further notice.​ Click here for the most up to date information, including the revised processes for applications and renewals.

• Click here for more information on SNAP, Cash Assistance (CA) and managing your case.
• HRA is asking New Yorkers to do everything they can through ACCESS HRA or over the phone.
• HRA has consolidated SNAP, CA, and Medicaid centers to minimize in person contact. Please only visit an HRA Office if your needs cannot be met through ACCESS HRA or over the phone. Below are the links to the current locations:
  • SNAP
  • CA
  • Medicaid

• If you have a hearing scheduled, the Social Security Administration will call you to discuss other ways to have your hearing. The call may come from a PRIVATE number and not from a U.S. Government phone. SSA employees will not threaten you or ask for any form of payment.
• SSA will send out a notice before taking any negative action on your benefits.
• Critical Services may be available. Go to ssa.gov/coronavirus.

• Individuals who do not have health insurance can enroll in Medicaid and other subsidized and non-subsidized insurance on the New York State of Health Marketplace by calling 855-355-5777 or visiting New York State of Health. You can always enroll in Medicaid or the Essential Plan any time of year.
• Individuals who are undocumented can enroll in Emergency Medicaid through the Marketplace. Emergency Medicaid ordinarily covers emergency conditions only but is covering all testing, evaluation, and treatment for COVID-19.
• All low-income New Yorkers regardless of immigration status can access free or low-cost health care at New York City Health + Hospitals locations. Anyone who is uninsured can enroll in the Health + Hospitals Options program at 844-NYC-4NYC.
• Our Health Law Unit has created resources with additional important information on applying for and keeping Medicare and other insurance. As well as information about accessing healthcare services, fair hearings and overpayments.

Immigrants are eligible for many forms of health insurance, cash benefits, and food assistance. Some immigrant households may have concerns about accessing benefits because of an immigration issue called “public charge.” Please note that public charge only applies to certain immigrants and certain public benefits. Accessing COVID-19 testing and care WILL NOT count against an immigrant who is or may be subject to public charge in the future.

Read our Public Benefits Flyer for Immigrants for more information. This resource is also available in Spanish. Also see our updated FAQ on Public Charge which includes COVID-19 information, and other information and resources regarding public charge here.

Any community member or advocate with questions should call Legal Aid’s Immigration Helpline at 844-955-3424, Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Our team can then call you back to answer additional questions. Interpreters are available for all languages.

The New York City Low Wage Workers Task Force (LWWTF) has developed this resource sheet for workers in New York State which describes the various benefit programs available including rules for eligibility. Additional information is also available about public benefits. This resource is also available in Nepali and Simplified Chinese.

On March 18, the Governor signed a law authorizing emergency paid sick time. For more information, please check the resources below:

• Governor’s Office Announcement
• A Better Balance: Fact Sheet

On April 19, The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene issued an order that makes New York State’s emergency COVID laws broadly applicable to workers living in NYC.  Workers who complete the DOHMH’s affidavit may be able to take paid sick leave for at least 7 days under state law if they have: (1) tested positive for COVID or (2) have come in contact with a known case of COVID, and have developed symptoms and have been unable to get tested.  Healthcare personnel and other essential workers must also provide additional proof that they were advised to quarantine and/or self-isolate after an examination or consultation with a medical professional/clinician. Read the City’s full FAQ here.

• NYS is waiving the 7-Day waiting period for Unemployment Insurance benefits for people who are out of work due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) closures or quarantines.
• Step by Step Instructions for Filing an Unemployment Insurance Claim Online
• LAS Attorney Richard Blum recently answers many commonly asked unemployment questions on The Brian Lehrer Show. You can listen here.

• Re-entry individuals are eligible for public benefits. For more information read our Re-Entry Benefits FAQ or call our Access to Benefits (A2B) Helpline at 888 663-6880, Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• If you have medical needs or concerns the Correctional Health Services (CHS) Point of Reentry and Transition Practices or PORT can help. Call 646-614-1000 or email CHSPORTline@nychhc.org for help with prescriptions for people recently released from jail. PORTline may also be able to help with prescription refills if you haven’t been able to establish care in the community. PORTline is also available to troubleshoot problems with Medicaid coverage (e.g. suspended/in patient only status). They can also provide referrals to other social service and health care providers.
• Network Support Services provides COVID 19 discharge and resettlement services for individuals being released from State Prisons to the NYC area. Assistance includes; a smartphone with plan, backpack filled with toiletries, cash stipend, MetroCard, transport from the facility back to the community and more. For more information contact Network Support Services at 347-584-8601 or mgonzalez@networkssi.org.
• The Housing Works S.M.A.R.T. program can provide Emergency Supplies such as cell phones, Metrocards, clothing, food supplies and many other health and employment services.

• Non-court-based Probation offices are now closed to the public.  Court-based offices will only be open if the courts are open.
• All supervision will, in general, be done via telephone or electronic means; All kiosk (hand-scan) reporting is being transitioned to Web Check-in and/or telephone Everyone on probation supervision should have received a telephonic or electronic message from their probation officer.
• More Information is available at the NYC Probation Website

The NYC Food Czar is now overseeing the distribution of meals to seniors. Call 311 to obtain free meal delivery.

• DOE Free Meals are available to all New Yorkers: The NYC DOE provides three free meals daily. All three meals can be picked up at the same time from 7:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Please refer to this pick up location map. No registration, ID, or documentation is required.
• DOE Lending iPads for Remote Learning: To help students stay connected during emergencies, the DOE is lending internet-enabled iPads to support remote learning for students. The DOE will contact you to discuss when and where you can pick up a device. Priority will be given to students most in need, and all devices are granted on a temporary basis and will later need to be returned. There is a limit of one device per student. To request a device call DOE at 718-935-5100 and choose Option 5 or complete the Remote Learning Device Request Form.
• Free Streaming Audio Books for Young Listeners: Audible has launched a free streaming offering that allows young people to listen to hundreds of titles. The title selections are available in six languages — English, Spanish, French, Italian, German and Japanese. No account or log in is required and listening is unlimited.

• All borrowers with Federal Student Loans will automatically have their interest rates set to 0% for a period of at least 60 days. In addition, each of these borrowers will have the option to suspend their payments for at least two months to allow them greater flexibility during the national emergency. This will allow borrowers to temporarily stop their payments without worrying about accruing interest. For more information go to Federal Student Loan Forbearance.
• The NYS Attorney General will temporarily stop collection of Medical and Student debts that are owed to the State of New York through April 15, 2020. The temporary policy will also automatically suspend the accrual of interest and collection of fees on all outstanding state medical and student debt referred to the OAG for collection. More information

The Community Development Project has created Fact Sheets to help small businesses respond to issues during the COVID 19 crisis:

• Employment Issues
• Insurance Claims
• Commercial Lease Considerations
• Commercial Contracts 

Other important information to know includes:

• Businesses with fewer than 100 employees, who have seen sales decrease by 25% or more, will be eligible for NYC Small Business Continuity Fund, which will provide zero interest loans of up to $75,000 to help mitigate losses in profit.
• The Employee Retention Grant Program is available to NYC businesses with one to four employees that can demonstrate at least a 25% decrease in revenue as a result of COVID-19. Eligible businesses will receive a grant covering up to 40% of their payroll for two months. Businesses can access up to $27,000.
• Lawyers from New York firms are ready and able to answer questions from small businesses and nonprofits, and offer resources and guidance to assist with applications in connection with the Paycheck Protection Program. Learn more about the available pro bono assistance by clicking here.

NYS Suspends Public Utilities Shutoff

Major utilities will suspend service shutoffs to households during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Notary Services Can be Handled Electronically

The Governor has authorized the notarization of signatures utilizing audio-video technology. You must be physically in New York State and present valid photo ID during the video conference. You must then send by fax or electronic means a legible copy of the signed document on the same date it was signed.  Click here for step by step guide.

Members of the public are urged to stay home.  If you are sick, you must stay home.  The Department of Health advises that people with mild and moderate symptoms should not seek medical care nor try to get tested.  If your symptoms do not go away, or get worse, after three to four days, consult with your doctor.  Testing is not needed if you have mild and moderate symptoms.  It will not change your clinical care, and testing should remain for people who need to be hospitalized for severe illnesses.

• NYC New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
• CDC – Novel Coronavirus Frequently Asked Questions
• World Health Organization

The New York Health Care Proxy Law allows you to appoint someone you trust — for example, a family member or close friend – to make health care decisions for you if you lose the ability to make decisions yourself. For more information and a form you can complete online, visit Health.NY.

DSS/HRA has issued an emergency rule that increases the burial allowance to $1,700 and increases the cap on burial costs to $3,400. It also extends the time frame for when you can apply to 120 days from the date of death. Applications received on or after March 12 will be considered for the increase, regardless of immigration status. For more information click here​.

Additional information about obtaining burial services for victims of COVID-19 can be found here.