Financial Help in New York City: Every FSR Guide in One Place (2026–27)

New York City has something most cities do not: tenants facing eviction in Housing Court or in NYCHA administrative proceedings can get free legal representation or advice through the City's Right-to-Counsel (Universal Access) program, run by HRA's Office of Civil Justice with nonprofit law offices across the five boroughs. If you have court papers, call Housing Court Answers at 718-557-1379 or 212-962-4795 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.), or call 311 and ask for the Tenant Helpline.

For questions short of court, such as a lease problem or falling behind on rent, the same 311 Tenant Helpline is the City's front door. The guides below cover the rest of the month's pressure points in New York: housing court steps, deposits and repairs, winter utility help, hospital bills and medical debt, free tax help, Fair Fares, SNAP and child care vouchers.

Sources: NYC HRA: Legal Services for Tenants. Checked October 19, 2026.

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Housing & Eviction

• NYC Housing Court Eviction Steps 2026–27: The 14-Day Rent Demand, the 10-Day Answer and the Marshal's Notice

• NYC Security Deposit Rules 2026–27: The One-Month Cap, Interest, the 14-Day Return Deadline and How to Get Your Money Back

• NYC Tenant Repair Rights 2026–27: How to Get Repairs Made With 311, HPD Inspections, HP Actions and the Warranty of Habitability

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Utilities & Water

• NYC Heat and AC Help for Tenants: Your 2026–27 Heat Season Rights and the New Cooling Law

• NYC Winter Utility Help 2026–27: Con Ed and National Grid Discounts, Shutoff Rules and HEAP

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Medical

• NYC Funeral and Burial Assistance 2026–27: How to Pay for a Funeral When Money Is Tight

• NYC Hospital Bill Help 2026–27: NYC Care, H+H Options, the New Sliding Fee Scale and Your Rights at Private Hospitals

• NYC Medical Debt Rights 2026–27: No Credit Reporting, No Wage Garnishment or Home Liens, a 3-Year Lawsuit Limit and Free Debt Relief

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Taxes

• NYC Free Tax Prep 2027: Who Qualifies, How to File for Free and What to Bring

• NYC Senior and Disabled Homeowner Property Tax Exemptions 2026–27: How SCHE and DHE Can Cut Your Assessed Value by Up to 50%

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Transit

• NYC Fair Fares 2026–27: Half-Price Subway and Bus Rides on OMNY, Who Qualifies and How to Apply

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Food & Churches

• SNAP Benefits in New York (2026): Eligibility, Income Limits (Explained), Deductions, and How Long Approval Takes

• 15 Churches and Faith-Based Programs in NYC Helping with Rent, Food, and Bills in 2026

• 15 Churches and Faith-Based Programs in Bronx, NY Helping with Rent, Food, and Bills in 2026

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Other Help

• NYC Rent Help: 2026–27 Rent Freeze and Assistance Rules

• NYC Child Care Vouchers 2026–27: How the Waitlist Works and Who Gets Invited First

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About this page

This directory is maintained by the FSR Editorial Team. When we publish or retire a guide for New York City, we update this page. Last updated October 2026.