Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS)

Emergencies are directed to an advocate all day. If there is a very high volume of calls, you may be on hold for a period of time, but someone will eventually answer the call.

For help with criminal and juvenile record sealing, expungement & CORI problems: Email cori@gbls.org or leave a message with your name, address and phone number at 617-603-1797 (please call between 9:00am and 5:00pm Monday to Friday)

GBLS does not handle criminal cases. It provides free legal representation and legal advice to low-income individuals and families in civil cases. GBLS also engages in systemic litigation, class actions, and legislative advocacy on behalf of its clients.

Major areas related to CORI and low-income people trying to transition to the workforce include:

CORI & Re-entry Project: GBLS is a statewide leader on legal issues related to CORI and the only legal services program focused on legal representation of clients in court on CORI issues and legal advice on criminal record sealing, expungement, appeals of denials of CORI sealing petitions, juvenile record sealing problems, professional licensing problems, CORI barriers and discrimination related to jobs and other opportunities, including EEOC or other CORI law violations; and CORI systemic initiatives related to implementation of CORI laws or new legislation. The Project provides community legal education focused primarily on Dorchester and Roxbury. In addition to help with CORI, GBLS has units that help low income people with other kinds of legal issues. See more information here.

Low-Wage Workers:
Appeal Unemployment Insurance (UI) denials; fight wage theft; access paid family & medical leave; sick leave; apply for U & T visas & deferred action for immigrant survivors of workplace crimes and labor trafficking 
 
People Who Need Healthcare or Disability Benefits:
Medicare and MassHealth advocacy; help for people who have been denied SSI/SSDI; advocate for children with disabilities and mental health needs; protect nursing home residents 
 
People With Housing Problems:
Prevent unfair evictions and loss of housing subsidies; preserve affordable housing for low-income tenants; help families access Emergency Assistance (EA) shelter 

Other areas of legal practice include:

Asian Outreach Center 
Provide legal assistance, resources, and advocacy on behalf of Asian immigrants and community groups for immigration issues, workers’ rights, benefits, and housing displacement 
 
Consumers 
Help people who have money trouble, including credit card and other debt, foreclosures, bankruptcies, and having money unfairly taken from their paycheck 
 
Survivors of Domestic Violence 
Help survivors of domestic violence to escape abusive relationships and start new lives with their children 
 
Elders 
Help elders access health care and life-saving medical treatments; help elders who live in income-based housing stay in their homes 
 
Immigrants 
Seek humanitarian immigration relief for asylum seekers, victims of crime, survivors of domestic violence, unaccompanied children, and other immigrants seeking protection 
 
People Applying for Government Benefits 
Ensure access to Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) TAFDC and EAEDC cash benefits and SNAP food benefits, and childcare benefits 
 
Low-Income Taxpayers 
Resolve tax issues including problems with tax credits and other refunds, audits, tax-related ID theft, inability to pay taxes owed, tax debts arising from an abusive spouse, worker misclassification, help with IRS/DOR notices, getting Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITIN), and represent in Tax Court 

To find out more about GBLS’ current services and how to access them, go to https://www.gbls.org/accessing-services.

GBLS also represents community groups and provides community legal education and legislative advocacy for clients.

Monday - Friday: 9:00am - 5:00pm

People who have not yet done intake are asked to call during the following times if it is not an emergency. To find out if GBLS can help you, call our intake line at (617) 371-1234 Monday through Friday, 9:30AM-12:30PM.

Cambridge/Somerville Office
60 Gore St., Suite 203, Cambridge, MA 02141, 617-603-2700

Roxbury Courthouse
85 Warren St. Roxbury, MA
Walk-in clinics on the 3rd Thursday of the month from 9:00am – 12:00pm will resume after COVID-19 emergency is lifted.

Dorchester Courthouse
410 Washington St. Dorchester, MA
Walk-in clinics on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month from 9:00am – 12:00pm will resume after COVID-19 emergency is lifted

Agency serves residents of Boston and 46 surrounding cities and towns, mostly within Route 128. Complete listing of geographic areas served is on the website. Income limitations (usually restricted to persons with incomes less than 125% of federal poverty guidelines) are applicable, with the exception of elderly clients and Medicare beneficiaries who are not subject to the income guidelines.

Interpreters are available for non-English speakers.