Greater Boston Legal Services - Boston Office

Office Information

Name: Greater Boston Legal Services - Boston Office
Address: 197 Friend St., Boston, MA - 02114
Phone: (617) 371-1234
Fax: (___) ___-____

Service Information

Every week, Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS) provides free legal assistance and representation on civil (noncriminal) matters to hundreds of the neediest residents in the city of Boston and 31 surrounding cities and towns. When they have nowhere else to turn, low-income families and individuals, elders, and people with disabilities look to GBLS for help to secure the most basic necessities of life.

To apply you can call the Main Office during regular hours: Monday-Friday, 9AM 5:00PM or come to the Main office during walk-in hours: 9 am - 12 pm. In emergency cases, an attorney can see you the same day. Otherwise, you will be given an appointment with an attorney for another day.

Hotline Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Walk In Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.


Mission Statement: Our mission is to provide free legal assistance to as many low-income families as possible to help them secure the most basic necessities of life.

Frequently Asked Questions about Legal Aid

  • What is legal aid?

Legal aid is free or low-cost legal assistance for people who cannot afford to hire a lawyer. Legal aid organizations provide a variety of legal services, including advice, representation, and advocacy, to help low-income people resolve their civil legal problems.

  • Who is eligible for legal aid?

Eligibility for legal aid varies depending on the organization. Generally, legal aid organizations serve people with incomes below a certain level, as determined by the federal poverty guidelines. Some legal aid organizations also have additional eligibility criteria, such as citizenship status or immigration status.

  • What kind of cases does legal aid handle?

Legal aid organizations handle a wide range of civil legal problems, including:

  1. * Housing
  2. * Education
  3. * Employment
  4. * Family law
  5. * Immigration
  6. * Public benefits
  7. * Consumer law
  8. * Health care
  9. * Disability rights
  • How do I get legal aid?

To get legal aid, you can contact your local legal aid organization or a state or national legal aid hotline. Legal aid organizations typically have intake interviews to determine eligibility and assess the need for legal assistance.

  • Is legal aid free?

Legal aid is generally free for eligible clients. However, some legal aid organizations may charge for certain services, such as filing fees or expert witness fees.

  • What if I don’t qualify for legal aid?

If you do not qualify for legal aid, there are other options available to you, such as pro bono lawyers or legal self-help resources. Pro bono lawyers are lawyers who volunteer their time to provide free legal services to low-income people. Legal self-help resources can provide you with information and tools to help you represent yourself in court.

Here are some additional frequently asked questions about legal aid:

  • What is the difference between legal aid and a public defender?

Legal aid organizations provide free or low-cost legal assistance to people with civil legal problems. Public defenders provide free legal assistance to people who are accused of crimes.

  • Can I get legal aid for a criminal case?

No, legal aid organizations do not provide legal assistance for criminal cases. Criminal cases are handled by public defenders.

  • How can I find a legal aid organization near me?

You can find a legal aid organization near you by visiting the website of the Legal Services Corporation (LSC), the national organization that funds legal aid programs. The LSC website has a directory of legal aid organizations by state and county.