FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jake Oliver, jake@anatgerstein.com, 347-361-9983
May 28, 2026
NY Legal Services Coalition Applauds Final Budget Investments in Civil Legal Services, Strengthening Access to Justice Statewide
Budget fortifies core funding streams that help low-income New Yorkers access housing, safety, and essential benefits
$10 million increase for civil legal services for the Office of New Americans and $25 million increase for judiciary civil legal services through the Office of Court Administration responds to growing due process crisis and rising demand for representation
ALBANY, NY – The New York Legal Services Coalition released the following statement from President Kristin Brown in response to the final enacted FY 2027 State Budget:
“We applaud the Governor and Legislature for their leadership in securing stable and sustained funding for civil legal services in the final budget, reinforcing New York’s commitment to access to justice for all.”
“The restoration of full IOLA (Interest on Lawyer Account) spending authority to $102.5 million is essential to maintaining a consistent and reliable foundation for civil legal services statewide. IOLA is a critical, non-taxpayer resource for supporting low-income New Yorkers. Full spending authority ensures that IOLA can fulfill its multi-year commitments and that providers have the certainty they need to deliver uninterrupted, life-saving services.”
“We also appreciate the inclusion of $179.5 million for civil legal services through the Office of Court Administration – a $25 million increase. This increased investment, which includes a 3% Cost of Living Adjustment, reflects the Judiciary’s ongoing commitment to increasing the investment in civil legal services for low-income New Yorkers across the state. This funding provides organizations with critical flexibility to respond to evolving community needs and maintain the stability necessary to deliver high-quality legal assistance across a wide range of civil matters.”
“In civil cases – unlike criminal matters – there is no guaranteed right to counsel, even when the stakes include eviction, deportation, domestic violence, or the loss of essential income. Civil legal services providers help ensure that New Yorkers can access justice in these critical moments, but the need continues to far outpace available resources.
“Together, IOLA and OCA funding form the backbone of a system that helps people navigate life-altering legal challenges. These investments represent a meaningful step toward bolstering the infrastructure required to meet that need.
“We are encouraged by the inclusion of $74.2 million for immigration and civil legal services for the Office for New Americans (ONA) – a $10 million increase from FY2026. At a time of rapidly increasing federal enforcement and unprecedented demand, this investment is essential to protecting due process and helping families remain together. Legal representation is often the deciding factor in whether an individual can remain safely in their community, and these resources will help address a growing crisis in access to counsel.
“We want to thank Governor Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, Senate Judiciary Chair Luis Sepúlveda, and Assembly Judiciary Chair Charles Lavine as well as Chief Judge Rowan Wilson for their leadership in prioritizing access to justice for low-income New Yorkers.
“In the coming weeks we will continue to work with our partners in government to build on this progress. This includes addressing the State’s contracting processes with nonprofits before the end of the legislative session, so that funding reaches providers efficiently and these essential services can be delivered without disruption.”
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