The NYS Office for New Americans (ONA) provides free services to all immigrants in New York State. To locate ONA services and providers near you visit: www.newamericans.ny.gov or call the New York State New Americans Hotline: 1-800-566-7636 (Monday to Friday 9 am – 8 pm). All call information is confidential. Assistance is available in 200+ languages.
Opportunity Centers
ONA’s statewide network of community-based Opportunity Centers provides free and confidential services including Naturalization support & civics test preparation; Free legal services through the ONA Legal Counsels; Informational community workshops & seminars.
ONA Community Navigators
ONA Immigrant Community Navigators are a grassroots network of individuals who help to link immigration-related services and information to those most in need.
Golden Door
The Golden Door program offers mental health support groups for immigrant families across the state and connects to other free resources.
Ramirez June Initiative
The ONA Developmental Disabilities Navigator builds the capacity of ONA’s community partners to provide targeted assistance to new Americans with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). If you would like to connect with this initiative or schedule a presentation contact NewAmericans@dos.ny.gov
Cell-Ed
ONA offers Mobile English Language Learning through Cell-Ed, a program that allows you to learn English on the go, anywhere, anytime on your mobile device. Cell-Ed is a free and confidential English-language learning program for all language levels available on any type of cell phone.
Legal Services
ONA Legal Counsels regularly hold legal consultation days at each ONA Opportunity Centers and can provide you with support for naturalization as well as other legal services.
The Liberty Defense Project (LDP) provides legal services to all immigrants, regardless of their status. LDP partners across New York State provide the following: Free legal services including consultations and direct representation for all immigrants, including those facing deportation; Urgent legal assistance through the LDP Regional Rapid Response program; Know Your Rights trainings; Law-related support to families of those who are in removal proceedings or have been deported.
In an Emergency, Call 911
Looking for help in
non-emergency situations?
Call 211 or
Call 311 in New York City
NY Connects
1-800-342-9871
Suicide Crisis Hotline
1-800-273-TALK (8255) Toll Free
1-800-799-4889 TTY
Child Abuse & Maltreatment Hotline
1-800-342-3720, Toll Free
1-800-638-5163, TTD/TTY
1-800-342-3720, NY Relay
Vulnerable Persons Central Register (VPCR) Hotline
800-624-4143 Toll Free
Jill Chaifetz Education Helpline
1-866-427-6033 Toll Free
Information and support for individuals and families with behavioral, emotional, physical and/or mental health challenges.
Help given to a person or organization in the form of money, loans, reduced taxes, etc.
Information regarding the discrimination against people with physical/mental disabilities, as well as information on protective services.
Planning, development, delivery, and evaluation of activities designed to achieve specific learning objectives and help resolve problems.