NYC Health + Hospitals is expanding their free health-related legal services in partnership with LegalHealth, a division of the New York Legal Assistance Group.
The expansion includes increased staffing, capacity building for increased patient access and data-driven analysis on how legal services can impact patient health, according to a news release.
In Brooklyn, free onsite legal services are available at NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County, NYC Health + Hospitals/South Brooklyn Health and NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull.
Nearly 5,000 patients accessed legal services at NYC Health + Hospitals in 2023. Services include free legal assistance to New Yorkers seeking help with public benefits, immigration, health insurance, advance planning and housing, among other legal issues.
Patients can access free health-related legal services over the phone or in person at one of twelve brick-and-mortar sites in the health system through a referral by a doctor, social worker or community health worker.
“Having lawyers that can support our clinical teams enable us to comprehensively address difficult issues such as housing instability and immigration, among others, " said NYC Health + Hospitals Vice President and Chief Population Health Officer Nichola Davis. "By addressing these issues, we can remove some of the structural barriers that lead to health inequities. This partnership helps to foster healthier individuals, families, and communities across New York City.”
