These are agencies which provide legal consultation and services to persons with disabilities, mental illness or special needs. They operate free of charge to low-income individuals or offer a sliding scale payment schedule. Since different organizations offer different services, please read visit their websites for more information about what they have available.
State of Connecticut – Division of Public Defender Services: “You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you.” Public Defender services are provided to “indigent” accused adults and juveniles throughout Connecticut at thirty-eight (38) combined field offices and six (6) specialized units and branches of the Office of Chief Public Defender.
Public Defenders are generally located in your local court house, for more information please visit their website or contact the Office of Chief Public Defender, 30 Trinity Street, Hartford, CT 06106.
Phone: (860) 509 6405 – Fax: (860) 509-6495
District office locations: Ansonia/Milford – Danbury – Fairfield – Hartford – Middlesex – New Britain – New Haven – New London – Stamford/Norwalk – Torrington – Tolland – Waterbury & Windham
ACLU Connecticut: The American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut is a nonpartisan, non-profit membership organization that defends, promotes and preserves individual rights and liberties under the U.S. and Connecticut constitutions in state and federal court, the General Assembly and the state’s 169 towns and cities.s.
Location: Hartford, CT
Anchor Health Initiative – Case Management Program: Through the efforts of our Care Team and Senior Manager of Community Services, we are able to provide a holistic approach to wellness for LGBTQ clients in need of support. These services are available to patients of Anchor Health Initiative. If you’re not currently a patient, call or email to make an appointment today.
Locations: Stamford & Hamden, CT
• Access to basic needs, including housing, food, clothing, toiletries, etc.
• Transportation to medical appointments
• Employment resources
• Insurance and affordable healthcare assistance
• Connections to mental health providers and support groups
• Help with substance use
• Resources for STI/STD prevention
• Assistance with updating gender ID documents, including licenses, birth certificates, social security, passports, etc.
• Connections to legal counselors for help with immigration status
• Help for individuals in abusive relationships
• Resources for emergency financial assistance
Connecticut Juvenile Justice Alliance (CTJJA) :is a team of fiercely dedicated advocates working to ensure the safe, fair, and effective treatment of youth who may become involved in the juvenile justice system.
Location: Statewide
Connecticut Legal Rights Project, Inc (CLRP) provides high quality legal services to low income persons with psychiatric disabilities living in Connecticut, primarily on matters related to their treatment and civil rights.
Location: Middletown, CT
Connecticut Legal Services: We are Connecticut’s largest nonprofit law firm, dedicated to improving the lives of low-income people by providing access to justice.
We believe that Connecticut can be the first state with universal access to justice – a place where every person is treated fairly and has equal opportunities to thrive.
Locations: Bridgeport, New Britain, New London, Middletown, Stamford, Waterbury, and Willimantic, CT
Connecticut Veterans Legal Center: The mission of Connecticut Veterans Legal Center is to help veterans recovering from homelessness and mental illness overcome legal barriers to housing, healthcare and income. Connecticut Veterans Legal Center provides FREE representation to veterans recovering from homelessness and mental illness to help stabilize their lives.
Location: West Haven, CT
Connecticut Voices for Children: Our goal, to reduce the number of children and youth involved in the juvenile justice system — and improve outcomes for children and youth who are involved — through best practices that keep children and youth in school; keep children, youth, schools, and communities safe; address academic, mental health, and behavioral health needs as early as possible; provide children and youth with developmentally-appropriate services; and reduce recidivism.
Location: Statewide
Disability Rights Connecticut, Inc. (“DRCT”), a new independent, nonprofit organization established to be the successor entity to Connecticut’s Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities which was abolished by Connecticut law as of June 30, 2017. We are a statewide organization largely funded by federal entities and authorized by the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, Rehabilitation Act and Social Security Act. DRCT opened its doors on July 1, 2017 and is hoping to hear from you!
Location: Hartford, CT
Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI): An official website of the United States government. PAIMI is administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS).
Protection & Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) Disability Rights Connecticut Advisory Council: The PAIMI Council comprises of people with mental illness, their family members and others who have experience advocating for or serving people with mental illness.
Lambda Legal (Main Site) – Lambda Legal (Connecticut Site) is the oldest and largest national legal organization whose mission is to achieve full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and everyone living with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work.
As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, we do not charge our clients for legal representation or advocacy, and we receive no government funding. We depend on contributions from supporters around the country.
Safe Haven: provides emergency shelter and free comprehensive support services to victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Safe Haven is committed to ending violence and sexual assault by changing the social conditions and beliefs that perpetuate violence against women and children.
Safe Haven serves the towns of Bethlehem, Cheshire, Middlebury, Naugatuck, Prospect, Southbury, Waterbury, Watertown, Wolcott, and Woodbury for domestic violence.
We serve the towns of Beacon Falls, Bethlehem, Middlebury, Naugatuck, Oxford, Prospect, Southbury, Thomaston, Waterbury, Watertown, Wolcott, and Woodbury for sexual assault.
Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut: At Statewide Legal Services we believe knowledge is power. We are a legal aid advice and referral center helping low-income people solve their legal problems. We believe that everyone should have access to justice. Our advocates can help you with legal questions about family, public benefits, housing, unemployment and other problems.
Location: Hartford County, CT
