Free and low-cost legal help across New Jersey and Pennsylvania for the case types our community faces most — disability claims, criminal charges, family law / divorce, public benefits (welfare / SNAP / cash assistance), small claims lawsuits, tax liens, veterans benefits, and financial hardship. Every card below is a verified NJ or PA resource.
Social Security disability denials are common but reversible with the right representation. Use a legal aid organization for free help, or hire an attorney on contingency (you only pay if you win). Initial applications can also be filed directly with the Social Security Administration without an attorney.
Free legal representation for SSI/SSDI appeals for low-income Philadelphia residents. Experienced advocates handle administrative hearings, Appeals Council reviews, and federal court litigation. Income eligibility required.
Free legal services for Social Security disability appeals, including ALJ hearings and Appeals Council reviews. Also handles disability discrimination cases. Serves low-income Philadelphia County residents.
Philadelphia disability attorneys specializing in SSI/SSDI claims. Over 30 years of experience with Social Security appeals. Free consultations; contingency fee basis — no fee unless you win.
Free help applying for SSI/SSDI benefits. Assistance with forms, gathering medical records, and submitting complete applications. Also provides appeals assistance. Serves all Pennsylvania counties.
Free legal representation for SSI/SSDI applications, denials, and appeals. Helps low-income individuals secure disability benefits, prepare for hearings, and navigate the Social Security appeals process. Serves all South Jersey counties.
Legal advocacy for individuals with disabilities. Assistance with SSI/SSDI denials, appeals, administrative hearings, and federal court representation. Also handles disability discrimination cases.
Experienced disability attorneys handling SSI/SSDI applications and appeals. No upfront fees — only paid if you win your case. Free consultations. Serves Camden, Burlington, and Gloucester counties.
If your family has been denied or cut off from Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF/cash assistance), SNAP (food stamps), General Assistance, or another public benefits program, free legal aid organizations in NJ and PA can help you appeal denials, fight wrongful terminations, and represent you at fair hearings before an administrative law judge. Most of these services are free of charge when you qualify by income.
Free legal representation for low-income NJ residents in SNAP, TANF, General Assistance, Medicaid, and emergency-assistance cases. Handles denials, terminations, and fair hearings statewide. Apply by phone for eligibility screening.
Free help for South Jersey residents facing SNAP denials, lost TANF cash assistance, family cap issues, and benefit overpayment notices. Represents clients at fair hearings and in ongoing public benefits cases across the seven southern counties.
Free help applying for SNAP (food stamps) and other food-assistance programs. Bilingual outreach workers screen eligibility and walk you through the NJ SNAP application, recertification, and any reported issues. No income restrictions to use this service.
Free bilingual SNAP outreach and application assistance for Camden, Burlington, Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland, Atlantic, Ocean, and Cape May counties. Phone-first intake with follow-up until your benefits are active. Walk-in help available at partner pantries.
Free self-help information on filing welfare, SNAP, and TANF appeals at the NJ Office of Administrative Law. Provides hearing calendars, instructions on filing exceptions/transcripts, and information on how to appear at the Trenton or Newark OAL court locations.
Free legal help for low-income Philadelphia residents on SNAP denials, TANF cash assistance, General Assistance (GA), and benefit overpayment collections. Represents clients before the Department of Human Services and at fair hearings. Income eligibility required.
Free volunteer attorney representation at SNAP fair hearings, including denials, terminations, and changes in benefit amount for low-income households. Matches clients with volunteer counsel for the hearing and any follow-on appeals to Commonwealth Court.
Free screening and application help for SNAP, LIHEAP (heating help), Medicaid, and other public benefits across Pennsylvania. Submit a single intake form online or by phone and BDT will follow up on every benefit you qualify for. No income requirement to use this service.
Divorce, custody, child support, and domestic-violence family-court cases are handled through the family divisions of your county's Superior Court. Free legal aid organizations in NJ and PA can help low-income families file for divorce, respond to custody petitions, represent parents in abuse-and-neglect cases, and represent survivors of domestic violence in civil protection-order hearings.
Free legal help for low-income NJ residents on divorce, custody, visitation, child support, and kinship-care petitions. The central statewide intake screens for income eligibility and routes cases to the regional office. Handles uncontested divorces, motions, and post-judgment enforcement.
Free and confidential services for survivors of domestic violence in Camden County: emergency shelter, civilian advocacy, and help filing restraining orders (Temporary Restraining Orders) in NJ Family Court. Also assists with divorce, custody, and child support matters connected to abuse.
Free representation for indigent parents in NJ Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCP&P) abuse-and-neglect and termination-of-parental-rights cases. Attorney assigned at first court appearance; handles trial, fact-finding, and appeals for parents facing loss of custody.
Free legal referrals and direct representation for LGBTQ+ NJ residents on family-law matters: second-parent adoptions, name and gender-marker changes, divorce, custody, and parenting agreements. Network of pro bono attorneys across New Jersey.
Free legal help for low-income Philadelphia residents on divorce (including no-fault and contested), custody, visitation, child support, and protection-from-abuse orders. Court-based intake at Family Court at 1501 Arch St and from ALS offices. Income-tested intake.
Free volunteer-attorney help for low-income Philadelphia parents with custody and visitation matters, including pro se coaching and full representation in custody disputes. Walk-in custody clinics held regularly at Family Court (1501 Arch St).
Free legal help, advice, and direct representation for women and LGBTQ+ individuals on family-law matters tied to abuse, including Protection From Abuse (PFA) orders, custody during abuse, divorce, and the intersection of family court with sexual-violence cases. Statewide Pennsylvania reach.
Free and confidential legal advocacy and PFA (Protection From Abuse) intake for survivors of domestic violence in Bucks County, PA. Court accompaniment at Doylestown Family Court, help with divorce and custody filings tied to abuse, and referrals to private family-law attorneys.
Free court advocacy and PFA (Protection From Abuse) petition support for survivors of domestic violence in Philadelphia. Helps clients draft petitions, prepare for PFA hearings at Family Court, and connects them with legal aid or pro bono family-law attorneys for ongoing divorce/custody matters.
If you (or your child) are being stalked, threatened, or physically harmed by a partner or co-parent, you can file a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) in NJ or a Protection From Abuse (PFA) order in PA at the local Family Court. These are issued the same day without the abuser present and are free of charge. The Family Division and a domestic-violence advocate can walk you through the safety plan, court forms, and any related divorce/custody filings. Don't wait — TRO/PFA deadlines start on the date of the incident.
If you cannot afford a private attorney, public defenders provide free representation in both Philadelphia and Camden County. Use the public defender for active felony cases today; use private firms for expungement, record sealing, or post-conviction relief. Many private criminal defense attorneys in this region offer free consultations and payment plans.
Free criminal defense representation for indigent defendants in Philadelphia. Handles felony and misdemeanor charges, bail hearings, trials, sentencing, and appeals. Income eligibility required — ask the court for a public defender at arraignment.
Free legal assistance for formerly incarcerated individuals. Services include expungement, record sealing, pardon applications, parole/probation violations, and civil rights restoration. Statewide services with a Philadelphia office.
Criminal defense firm with 30+ years of experience handling felony charges, drug offenses, theft, assault, and parole violations. Also provides expungement services. Free consultations. Serves Philadelphia and surrounding counties.
Criminal defense and expungement attorney handling serious felony cases, drug charges, violent crimes, and record sealing. Aggressive trial lawyer. Serves Philadelphia, Delaware, Chester, and Montgomery counties. Free consultations.
Experienced criminal defense lawyer handling felony charges, drug crimes, theft, assault, DUI, and probation violations. Also provides expungement services. Free consultations. Serves Philadelphia and Delaware counties.
Free criminal defense representation for indigent defendants facing felony and misdemeanor charges. Handles arraignments, plea negotiations, trials, and appeals. Must qualify financially for services — ask the court for assignment at first appearance.
Free expungement legal clinics for low-income individuals seeking to clear eligible criminal records. Assistance with applications, court filings, and hearings. Monthly walk-in clinics in Camden County.
Free legal services for expungement of criminal records. Law students under attorney supervision help with record sealing and expungement petitions. Serves Camden County residents.
If you have a first court date (arraignment) for a felony or serious misdemeanor, do NOT go without an attorney. Ask the judge to assign you a public defender at that first appearance if you cannot afford a private lawyer. Anything you say in that first court date can be used against you — protected only with counsel.
Small claims court is the fastest, cheapest way to recover money or defend against a lawsuit for disputes under $12,000 in PA (Philadelphia) or $5,000 in NJ (Camden County, with some specialty limits up to $15,000). Most small claims hearings are decided without attorneys — but the resources below help with forms, filings, and preparation.
Free legal clinic for Philadelphia residents filing small claims (up to $12,000). Assistance with consumer fraud, security deposits, unpaid wages, and landlord disputes. Monthly walk-in clinics available.
Volunteer attorneys provide free consultations and representation assistance for small claims court. Serves low-income Philadelphia residents with consumer disputes, contract issues, and property damage claims.
Free assistance with small claims filings up to $5,000 (or $15,000 for security deposit disputes). Help with forms, filing procedures, and court preparation for consumer disputes, landlord-tenant issues, and property damage claims.
Free legal help for low-income residents filing small claims court cases. Assistance with consumer disputes, security deposit recovery, unpaid wages, and property damage claims. No in-court representation but provides guidance on procedures.
Both federal and state tax liens can attach to your wages, bank accounts, and property — but you have multiple avenues to resolve them. The fastest paths are: (1) request a Collection Due Process hearing within 30 days of a federal lien / levy notice, (2) file an Offer in Compromise, or (3) appeal in state tax court. Use the resources below for case-specific guidance.
An IRS lien attaches to all your property (real estate, vehicles, financial accounts) until resolved. The IRS must release the lien within 30 days after you pay the tax, after the statute of limitations expires, or after the lien becomes unenforceable.
New Jersey tax liens are governed by N.J.S.A. 54:5 and follow a different timeline than federal IRS liens. State liens can be priority claims against real estate, wages, and bank accounts — and they accrue interest daily until paid.
PA Department of Revenue liens follow a formal notice and lien-filing process. Most PA tax issues can be resolved before lien-filing by responding to the Notice of Assessment within 90 days of the date on the notice.
Ignoring a federal or state tax notice is the #1 mistake — the IRS and NJ/PA state will keep escalating collection (levies, garnishments, license suspension). Filing for bankruptcy does not always discharge tax debts — most federal and state income tax debts require specific conditions (3-year rule, 2-year rule, fraud assessment rule) before they're eligible. Always consult a tax attorney or accredited LITC before filing Chapter 7 or 13 to discharge tax debt.
Veterans have a separate, federal appeals system for VA benefits — different from Social Security disability. The cards below cover VA disability appeals, discharge upgrades, veterans treatment courts, and free legal clinics across New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Free legal help for veterans in NJ on VA disability benefits, discharge upgrades (DD-214 corrections), and records correction. Helps veterans prepare claims and Board of Veterans' Appeals paperwork. Income-tested for civil matters; VA cases reviewed regardless of income.
State benefits assistance, VA claims help, county veteran service officer referrals, and discharge / records review. Operates the NJ Veterans Memorial Homes and helps connect veterans to free county-level service officers statewide.
Free advocacy for New Jersey veterans with disabilities on VA benefits, mental-health discharge issues, and access to VA healthcare. Helps with appeals, Nexus letters, and federal-court actions when benefits are denied.
Diversion court for veterans charged with non-violent felony or misdemeanor offenses in Philadelphia. Successful completion can result in reduced charges, dismissed cases, or alternative sentencing with treatment. Public-defender representation available at no cost.
Veterans Benefits Administration regional office serving PA, NJ, and DE. Walk-in help with VA disability compensation and pension claims, DIC (Dependency & Indemnity Compensation), GI Bill questions, and VR&E (Vocational Rehabilitation). Free counseling and form assistance.
Free legal representation for veterans before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) and the Board of Veterans' Appeals. National program with remote intake — accepts NJ and PA cases. Trains volunteer attorneys and matches them with denied-claim appellants.
Statewide veterans benefits assistance: free help filing VA claims, emergency financial aid, free passes to state parks, and county director referrals. Operates the PA Veterans Memorial Homes in Philadelphia, Hollidaysburg, and Erie.
Federal court that reviews final decisions of the Board of Veterans' Appeals. Self-filing is permitted (no attorney required) using the Court's public form set. Decisions can be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
Reviews applications to upgrade discharge characterizations (Other Than Honorable, Bad Conduct) through the Discharge Review Board and the Board for Correction of Military Records. Successful upgrades restore eligibility for VA benefits, GI Bill, and home loans.
If you are facing collection lawsuits, wage garnishment, predatory lending, or considering bankruptcy because of medical debt, lost income, or housing crisis — these NJ and PA resources can help. Many bankruptcy and consumer cases can be handled free or low-cost, and consumer-fraud reporting leads to real recoveries.
Free legal help for NJ residents on debt collection defense, credit-report errors (FCRA), predatory lending, repossession, payday-loan fraud, and identity-thevictim consumer cases. Income-tested.
Free counseling for NJ residents on debt management, foreclosure prevention, reverse mortgages, and post-bankruptcy credit rebuilding. Run by the NJ Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency. Phone-first intake; multilingual counselors.
Free legal help for low-income residents of Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem counties on consumer issues — debt collection, bankruptcy pre-filing counseling, garnishment defense, and credit reporting errors.
Emergency financial help for Camden County residents facing eviction, utility shutoff, or homelessness due to hardship. Can cover past-due rent, utility arrears, security deposits, and temporary housing. Eligibility based on income and household size.
Free legal help for low-income Philadelphia residents on debt collection defense, bankruptcy preparation (Chapter 7 & 13), credit reporting (FCRA), and utility shutoff prevention. Walk-in intake at the North Philadelphia office.
Free legal clinic staffed by volunteer bankruptcy attorneys for low-income Philadelphia residents seeking Chapter 7 relief. Matches clients with volunteer counsel for full representation when income-eligible; otherwise provides form-prep help and referral.
Free, confidential one-on-one financial coaching for Philadelphia residents: budgeting, debt management plans, foreclosure prevention, student-loan counseling, and credit-building. Remote and in-person sessions available.
File complaints against PA banks, mortgage servicers, payday lenders, and licensed financial institutions. Recovers money, fines violators, and publishes complaint data. Free for any PA resident — does not require income eligibility.
Statewide attorney referral network focused on consumer protection, lemon law, debt collection defense, FCRA, and bankruptcy. Reduced-fee initial consultations (typically 30 minutes) with vetted consumer-law specialists across PA.
Free federal self-help for consumer fraud: report scams to FTC ReportFraud.ftc.gov, file identity-theft reports at IdentityTheft.gov, and use Consumer.gov for plain-language guides on debt collection, credit reports, and consumer rights.
Most Chapter 7 cases carry a $338 filing fee; Chapter 13 is $313. If your income is below 150% of the federal poverty line, the fee can be paid in installments or waived in full at filing (Form 103A / 103B fee waiver). Before filing, every debtor must complete a credit counseling course from an approved agency — free if your income qualifies. Filing bankruptcy does not always discharge tax debt; consult a consumer attorney first.
Our team can match you to the right free or low-cost legal aid in NJ or PA. Call us, or join the Connector community for direct support.