Greater Hartford Legal Aid

Contact Information

Name: Greater Hartford Legal Aid
Address: 999 Asylum Avenue, Hartford, CT - 06105
Phone: (860) 541-5000
Fax: (860) 541-5050

Service Information

Greater Hartford Legal Aid's mission is to work to increase access to the courts and advocate for fairness in the application of law. Our lawyers provide core essential representation on legal problems related to peoples ability to meet their basic human needs, community education and empowerment to help people better help themselves and advocacy to improve systems that underlie our clients problems and the barriers to their success.


To be eligible for our services applicants generally need to be living near the federal poverty level. This is about $30,000 for a family of 4, about $20,000 for a family of 2. We serve residents from the following towns: Avon, Bloomfield, Bristol, Burlington, Canton, East Granby, East Hartford, East Windsor, Enfield, Farmington, Glastonbury, Granby, Hartford, Hartland, Manchester, Marlborough, Newington, Simsbury, South Windsor, Suffield, West Hartford, Wethersfield, Windsor, Windsor Locks. We serve people 60 years of age and older in the above towns and also in these additional towns: Andover, Berlin, Bolton, Columbia, Ellington, Hebron, New Britain, Plainville, Plymouth, Somers, Southington, Stafford, Tolland, and Vernon.


We do not take criminal cases (defend a person who has been arrested) or medical malpractice or accident cases. We handle these legal issues such as divorce, custody, restraining orders for family violence victims evictions, landlord problems for tenants in subsidized housing, employment discrimination, unemployment compensation, pardons, Food Stamps, Medicaid, SAGA, SSI, Temporary Family Assistance (TFA), immigration status issues for family violence victims, nursing home, right to home care, advance directives for seniors, special education, expulsions & school discipline.


Please call Statewide Legal Services (SLS) to determine if you qualify for free legal services. SLS staff will ask you some questions and may give you legal advice. If you have the kind of case GHLA handles, SLS will refer your case to us. GHLA will then review your application and decide if we will take your case.

SLS call-in hours are:

Monday Friday

9 am to 12 noon and 1 to 2 pm

Toll-free: 1-800-453-3320

From Hartford: 860-344-0380

You can call GHLA directly at 860-541-5000, Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

If you are 60 years old or older you can apply by calling GHLA directly at 860-541-5003.


Mission Statement: “To achieve equal justice for poor people, to work with clients to promote social justice, and to address the effects and root causes of poverty.”

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is legal aid?

Legal aid is free or low-cost legal advice and assistance given to those who cannot afford the services of an attorney.

2. Who is eligible for legal aid?

The eligibility requirements for legal aid vary depending on the country or state, but generally, those who have limited income and cannot afford the services of a lawyer are eligible for legal aid.

3. How can I apply for legal aid?

To apply for legal aid, you can either visit your local legal aid office or access their website to fill out an application form. You will be required to provide information on your income and assets, as well as the legal issue you need assistance with.

4. What types of legal issues are covered by legal aid?

Legal aid covers a wide range of legal issues, including family law, criminal law, employment law, housing, consumer law, and immigration law.

5. Can I choose my lawyer with legal aid?

In some cases, you may be able to choose your lawyer with legal aid. However, in most cases, the lawyer assigned to you by legal aid will depend on their availability and expertise in the area of law your case involves.

6. How much does legal aid cost?

Legal aid is either free or offered at a reduced cost, depending on your income and assets.

7. What documents do I need to provide for legal aid?

When applying for legal aid, you will need to provide proof of your income and assets, such as bank statements, tax returns, and proof of benefits.

8. Is legal aid available for international cases?

Legal aid is only available for cases that fall within the jurisdiction of the country or state offering legal aid services.

9. Can I appeal a decision made by legal aid?

If you are not satisfied with the decision made by legal aid, you may have the right to appeal the decision. This may involve filling out an appeal form or attending a hearing.

10. How can I find a legal aid office in my area?

You can find a legal aid office in your area by searching online or contacting your local bar association.