What CAVA is and who it serves

CAVA stands for Community Advocates for Voice and Action. It is a nonprofit organization that provides legal representation and advocacy services to low-income people in New York City and surrounding areas. CAVA focuses on housing, family law, immigration, and benefits issues — the areas where people most often face eviction, custody disputes, deportation, or loss of income support.

CAVA operates through a network of offices across New York City's five boroughs, plus Nassau and Westchester counties. The organization takes cases on a sliding-fee basis, meaning you pay what you can afford based on your household income. Many clients pay nothing because their income falls below CAVA's threshold.

You do not need to be a citizen to use CAVA's services. The organization represents immigrants regardless of immigration status, and has staff who speak Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Bengali, and other languages commonly spoken by the communities it serves.

Key Takeaways

  • CAVA provides free or low-cost legal representation in housing, family law, immigration, and public benefits cases for people with low incomes in New York City and nearby counties.
  • You can reach CAVA by calling their main intake line or visiting a local office in your borough; intake staff will ask about your income and the type of problem you face.
  • CAVA handles eviction defense, custody and divorce matters, immigration applications and deportation defense, and appeals of denied benefits like SNAP and Medicaid.
  • Response time depends on the type of case and current caseload, but housing cases are usually prioritized if an eviction court date is approaching.
  • CAVA also runs community education workshops on tenant rights, immigration law, and benefits, which are open to anyone regardless of income.

How to contact CAVA and what to expect at intake

The main intake line for CAVA is 212-777-0600. When you call, you will speak with an intake worker who will ask about your household income, the type of legal problem you face, and whether you have an urgent court date or important date. If you have an eviction notice or a family court date coming up, tell the intake worker the date — this affects how quickly your case is prioritized.

You can also visit a CAVA office in person. The organization has locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island, plus offices in Hempstead (Nassau County) and White Plains (Westchester County). Office hours and addresses are listed on CAVA's website. Walk-in intake is available at some locations, but calling ahead is usually faster.

At intake, bring any documents related to your case: an eviction notice, a custody order, a benefits denial letter, an immigration notice, or a lease. You do not need to have everything organized perfectly — the intake worker will help you gather what is needed. If you cannot read English, tell the intake worker your language, and they will arrange an interpreter.

After intake, CAVA will tell you whether they can take your case and when an attorney will contact you. If CAVA's caseload is full in your area, they may refer you to another legal services organization or provide you with information about your rights so you can represent yourself.

What types of cases CAVA handles

Housing cases are CAVA's largest practice area. This includes eviction defense (when a landlord has filed to remove you), negotiating payment plans for back rent, fighting illegal lockouts, and addressing housing code violations. CAVA also handles disputes over security deposits and lease violations.

Family law cases include divorce, custody, visitation, child support, and domestic violence protection orders. CAVA represents both the person seeking the order and, in some cases, the other parent in custody disputes. If you are a victim of domestic violence, CAVA can help you obtain an order of protection and understand your options for housing and safety planning.

Immigration cases include applications for asylum, cancellation of removal (a form of relief for people facing deportation), work permits, and representation in immigration court. CAVA also helps people understand their rights when stopped by police or immigration enforcement, and provides guidance on what to do if you are detained.

Public benefits cases involve appeals of denied or terminated SNAP (food information), Medicaid, TANF (cash information), and SSI (supplemental security income). CAVA can help you understand why your benefits were denied and represent you in an appeal hearing before the state.

How CAVA's fees work

CAVA uses a sliding scale based on your household income and family size. This means the fee you pay depends on how much money your household brings in each month. If your income is below 125 percent of the federal poverty line, you typically pay nothing. If your income is between 125 and 200 percent of the poverty line, you may pay a small fee — usually between $25 and $75 per case.

The federal poverty line changes each year. For 2024, the poverty line for a single person is about $14,600 per year, and for a family of four it is about $30,000 per year. CAVA's intake worker will calculate your household income and tell you what your fee will be before you sign up.

If you cannot afford the fee CAVA quotes, tell the intake worker. They have discretion to waive or reduce fees in cases of extreme hardship. You should never be turned away because of cost.

Timeline for getting representation

How long it takes to hear from a CAVA attorney depends on the type of case and how busy the office is. Housing cases with an upcoming court date are usually assigned within days or weeks. Family law and immigration cases may take longer — sometimes several weeks — because they require more initial investigation and preparation.

If you have an eviction court date within two weeks, tell the intake worker when ready. CAVA prioritizes these cases and may be able to get you an attorney before your court appearance. If your court date is further away, you will still be assigned an attorney, but it may take longer.

Once an attorney is assigned to your case, they will contact you by phone or in person to discuss your situation, explain your options, and begin preparing your defense or claim. You should expect to meet with your attorney at least once before any court appearance.

What CAVA cannot do

CAVA is a legal services organization, not a social services agency. This means CAVA provides legal representation and information, but does not provide emergency financial information, housing placement, or mental health counseling. However, CAVA attorneys often know about other organizations that do provide these services, and can refer you when appropriate.

CAVA also cannot represent you in criminal cases. If you have been arrested or charged with a crime, you will need a criminal defense attorney. You can request a public defender if you cannot afford a private attorney.

CAVA's service area is limited to New York City and parts of Nassau and Westchester counties. If you live outside this area, CAVA can provide information about legal services organizations in your county.

Community education and know-your-rights workshops

CAVA runs free workshops on tenant rights, immigration law, family law, and public benefits. These workshops are open to anyone, regardless of income or immigration status. Topics include how to respond to an eviction notice, what to do if immigration enforcement stops you, how to understand a custody order, and how to report a landlord for housing code violations.

Workshops are held at CAVA offices and at community centers throughout New York City. Some are held in English, others in Spanish or other languages. You can find a schedule on CAVA's website or call the main intake line to ask about upcoming workshops in your area.

Even if you do not need legal representation right now, attending a workshop can help you understand your rights and know what to do if a legal problem arises later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be a citizen to get help from CAVA?

No. CAVA represents immigrants regardless of immigration status. You do not need to be a U.S. citizen or have a green card. CAVA's immigration attorneys can also advise you on how immigration enforcement actions might affect your case.

What if I miss my court date or cannot make an appointment with my attorney?

Tell your attorney or the CAVA office as soon as possible. If you miss a court date without notifying the court, a judgment may be entered against you by default. Your attorney can ask the court to reopen the case, but it is better to communicate in advance. If you cannot make an appointment, call to reschedule rather than not showing up.

Can CAVA help me if I have already lost my eviction case?

It depends. If the judgment was entered recently, CAVA may be able to file a motion to reopen the case or help you understand your options for staying in the apartment or moving. If a marshal has already removed you, CAVA cannot reverse that, but can help you understand your rights to your belongings and advise you on housing options going forward.

How long does a typical case take from start to finish?

This varies widely. An eviction case may be resolved in weeks if the landlord agrees to a payment plan or withdraws the case. A family law case or immigration case may take months or longer. Your attorney will give you a realistic timeline once they have reviewed your case.

What should I bring to my first meeting with my CAVA attorney?

Bring any documents related to your case: notices, letters, court papers, leases, pay stubs, or identification. Bring a list of questions you want to ask. If you have a witness who can support your case, bring their contact information. If you do not have documents, your attorney can help you obtain them.