LIFT Legal Information Hotline
LIFT is proud to operate New York City's only Legal Information
Hotline. On this line, bilingual (Spanish/English) Hotline Associates
are available Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Hotline Associates provide information about family law. Callers
receive assistance in understanding their legal options and have an
opportunity to brainstorm between court appearances. The Hotline is
also an important source of referrals to neighborhood-based
organizations and legal service providers. We accept collect calls
from those incarcerated in correctional facilities.
The Hotline can be reached at (212) 343-1122.
LIFT’s one-of-a-kind Hotline was launched in June 2005, thanks to the generous support of the New York City Council.
In 2007, the Hotline served the needs of over 9,000 people – an average of 35 calls a day - typically low-income, Black (42%) and Latina (40%) mothers (60%). One in ten of those helped on the Hotline were monolingual Spanish-speaking.
Addressing questions like: “ACS removed my children and left me with papers I don’t understand, what do I do now?”; “My wages are being garnished because the Support Collection Unit thinks I am someone else, how can I make this stop?”; and “I need to know how I can get custody of my granddaughter?”- the Legal Information Hotline helps individuals advocate for themselves as they access justice.
Callers report that the Hotline armed them with the tools to navigate the complex Family Court, find resources in their neighborhoods, and helped them to secure stability and safety for themselves and their families.
Feedback from our 2007 client satisfaction surverys reported that 94% of all callers to LIFT’s Hotline rated our services extremely helpful.
Hotline callers have told us:
- "Everyone who goes to Court should call the Hotline.”
- “I’m glad there is someone always there to pick up the phone when I call.”
- “You guys are great.”
- “LIFT staff is helpful and patient. Keep doing what you are doing.”
We look forward to continuing to provide this essential service to those involved in Family Court.
[Last updated on November 19, 2008]
Please support LIFT's vitally important programs which serve thousands of vulnerable families each year.
"Thank you so much! I would not have been able to navigate Family Court and get results without the help LIFT was able to provide."
- Hotline caller, March 2008