Free Legal Aid in Miami: Who Handles Benefits, Family and Consumer Cases
Miami has two main free civil legal aid offices, and they split the work in a way that isn't obvious from the outside. Legal Services of Greater Miami takes renters, benefits, consumer and tax problems. Dade Legal Aid handles divorce, domestic violence, probate and bankruptcy. Here's how to tell which one you need, and how to get through intake.
AT A GLANCE
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The split, in one table
The two organizations rarely overlap. Pick a row, then jump to that section.
Your problem | Where it usually goes | Phone |
|---|---|---|
Eviction, lockout or bad repairs (renter) | LSGM | (305) 576-0080 |
SNAP, TANF, SSI or disability, VA or reemployment benefits denied, cut or "overpaid" | LSGM | (305) 576-0080 |
Medicaid service denied | LSGM | (305) 576-0080 |
Wage or bank garnishment, debt lawsuit, car repossession | LSGM | (305) 576-0080 |
IRS audit or Earned Income Tax Credit dispute | LSGM | (305) 576-0080 |
Special education for a child with a disability | LSGM | (305) 576-0080 |
Mortgage, property tax or condo association foreclosure | LSGM; PSB also refers foreclosure | Either number |
Divorce, paternity, relative custody | Dade Legal Aid | (305) 579-5733, ext. 2222 |
Protection order for domestic violence, stalking or dating violence | Dade Legal Aid | (305) 579-5733, ext. 2229 or 2251 |
Will, probate or guardianship | Dade Legal Aid / PSB | (305) 579-5733, ext. 2222 |
Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy | Dade Legal Aid / PSB, or LSGM | Either number |
If your problem shows up under both, apply to one first. Dade Legal Aid says intake staff point people it can't help to another program.
Legal Services of Greater Miami
LSGM is a nonprofit law firm that gives free civil legal services to low-income residents of Miami-Dade and Monroe counties. Its office is at 4343 West Flagler Street, Suite 100, Miami, FL 33134.
Getting through intake
Apply online. The online application on LSGM's contact page runs through Florida Online Intake, a shared system several Florida legal aid groups use.
Or call during the window. Monday to Thursday, 2 to 4 p.m. Miami-Dade: (305) 576-0080. Monroe: (866) 686-2760. Text telephone: (305) 446-7570.
Or walk in. Monday and Wednesday, 9 a.m. to noon, at the West Flagler office.
LSGM also posts its information in Spanish and Haitian Creole.
What LSGM takes on
Renters. LSGM helps tenants in private, public and subsidized housing who face eviction, an illegal lockout or serious housing conditions.
Public benefits. It helps when benefits are denied or reduced, or when an agency says you were overpaid. LSGM lists SNAP (food stamps), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Social Security Disability, SSI, VA benefits and reemployment assistance. It reports a success rate of 90% or higher in helping clients keep or increase their benefits.
"Most public benefits programs no longer have offices where you can file an application, answer a question, correct an error, or appeal an adverse agency action." (Legal Services of Greater Miami)
Consumer problems. LSGM attorneys challenge wage and bank account garnishments, defend against unfair debt collection and credit reporting, and handle car repossession deficiency lawsuits. They also file Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases.
Homeowners. LSGM defends against mortgage, property tax, homeowner association and condo association foreclosures, files Chapter 13 cases, challenges deed fraud, and helps with FEMA and insurance claims after a hurricane. Its heirs' property work covers deeds, wills and probate to clear title on a family home.
Health care. LSGM represents people denied medically necessary Medicaid services, with a focus on very sick children, frail older adults and seriously disabled adults.
Taxes. For more than 20 years LSGM has represented low-wage taxpayers in IRS disputes, including EITC audits, innocent or injured spouse claims, tax liens, offers in compromise and U.S. Tax Court cases.
Special education. LSGM represents parents and guardians of children with disabilities in Miami-Dade and Monroe schools.
Free self-help while you wait
LSGM's self-help page has an Eviction Answer Builder, how-to brochures for answering an eviction in Miami-Dade or Monroe, and templates for answering a consumer debt lawsuit or asking for more time. LSGM warns that Florida landlord-tenant law changed on July 1, 2023. Miami-Dade's Tenants' Bill of Rights is no longer in effect, and some of its brochures may not be fully accurate until they're updated. Read them with that in mind.
Dade Legal Aid and Put Something Back
Dade Legal Aid (the Dade County Legal Aid Society) gives free civil legal help to qualifying low-income residents of Miami-Dade County. Its staff attorneys handle family law, domestic violence, guardianship, bankruptcy, consumer, probate, child advocacy and real property matters.
Put Something Back is its pro bono program. PSB screens applicants and refers accepted cases to volunteer lawyers. It has run since 1991 as a partnership with the courts and the bar.
Who qualifies for PSB
Requirement | What PSB says |
|---|---|
Income | Not more than 150% of the federal poverty guidelines |
Where you live | Miami-Dade County |
Kind of case | A civil matter PSB handles |
Not accepted | Emergencies, fee-generating cases, traffic, criminal, juvenile delinquency, personal injury, evictions, small claims, suing someone for money |
Deadline rule | Nothing needing legal action within 21 days of applying |
Cost | Lawyer's time is free; you may pay costs such as depositions or experts |
Being eligible doesn't mean a volunteer will take your case. Until a volunteer lawyer agrees in writing, you represent yourself. PSB says misrepresenting your income, missing appointments or going over the income limit can get you turned down.
Family law limits
The family law department takes initial divorce filings, paternity cases and temporary relative custody cases. It does not handle modifications, reopened cases or post-judgment matters. You'll need ID, proof of Miami-Dade residency and proof of income.
Domestic violence
Dade Legal Aid helps victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, stalking and human sex trafficking. It can help with temporary and final orders of protection. Apply online, then call (305) 579-5733, ext. 2229 or 2251, if you need more help.
How the application works
Apply online at dadelegalaid.org, using the button for your type of case. Dade Legal Aid calls this the fastest way.
Or call (305) 579-5733, ext. 2222.
Wait 7 to 10 business days. Staff review your eligibility and contact you if you qualify or if they need more information.
If you don't qualify, intake staff point you to another program.
PSB staff can help in Spanish, Haitian Creole and Italian. If you're matched with a lawyer who doesn't speak your language, you may be asked to bring an interpreter.
Other free help in the Miami area
Florida Law Help, the statewide legal aid website, lists these other providers that serve Miami-Dade:
CABA Pro Bono: (305) 646-0046, for domestic violence, dependency, trafficking survivors and immigration. It serves Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe.
University of Miami School of Law clinics: (305) 284-2339, including a bankruptcy pro bono clinic.
Disability Rights Florida: (800) 342-0823, statewide, for disability-related problems.
Florida Law Help also has plain-language guides on evictions, foreclosure, custody, child support, food stamp overpayments and more, in English, Spanish and Haitian Creole. LSGM points to it for self-help, along with the American Bar Association's Florida Free Legal Answers site.
Before you call
☐ Photo ID or another proof of identity (Dade Legal Aid asks for this)
☐ Recent pay stubs or an employer letter; benefit award letters for anyone in the home
☐ Every court paper, notice or agency letter, with dates
☐ Proof you live in Miami-Dade County (or Monroe, for LSGM)
☐ The other side's name and address
☐ A note of any hearing or deadline, especially one within 21 days
WHAT TO DO THIS WEEK
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More help in Miami
Related guides
Official sources
Last checked: October 23, 2026. Hours, phone numbers, eligibility rules and case types come from Legal Services of Greater Miami's contact, service and self-help pages, Dade Legal Aid's client, FAQ and program pages, and Florida Law Help's provider directory. Intake hours are short and can change.
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