Your rights: Getting help in your language

If you don't speak English well or don’t feel comfortable speaking English, you have the right to get free help in your language when using government services. Your immigration status does not matter.

What kind of language help can I get?

You can get:

• A free interpreter to help you talk to people
• Free translations of important documents

You don't have to:

• Bring your own interpreter
• Ask family or friends to interpret
• Pay for an interpreter or translations

What is an interpreter?

An interpreter is someone who helps people who speak different languages talk to each other. They can help:

• In person
• Over the phone

Where can I get language help?

You can get free language help at places that get money from the U.S. government, like:

Courts and Legal Offices:

• Federal courts
• State and local courts
• Legal services offices

Government Offices:

• Social Security offices
• Immigration offices (USCIS)
• Social services or welfare offices
• Unemployment offices
• Police departments

Healthcare and Education:

• Hospitals
• Pharmacies
• Schools

Other Public Services:

• Voting places (for certain languages)

Remember: These places cannot refuse to help you just because you don't speak English well.

New York State offices that help the public must:

• Give you an interpreter
• Give you important documents in your language if you speak one of New York's top 12 languages:
  • Arabic
  • Bengali
  • Chinese
  • French
  • Haitian Creole
  • Italian
  • Korean
  • Polish
  • Russian
  • Spanish
  • Urdu
  • Yiddish

Need help? You can:

• Download a language card to show what language you speak
• Email consumers@dfs.ny.gov to get documents in your language
• Call (800) 342-3736 for free help in your language

State courts

If you need to go to court, you can get a free interpreter. This is true for:

• Criminal cases
• Civil cases (like housing or family matters)
• Anyone involved in the case (like witnesses or victims)
• Court services outside the courtroom

To get an interpreter:

1. Tell the Clerk's office as soon as you can, or
2. Call the Office of Language Access at (646) 386-5670

If you have problems with court interpreters, you can:

• Call (646) 386-5670
• Email interpretercomplaints@nycourts.gov

New York City offices

All New York City offices that help the public must help you in your language. If they don't:

1. Call 311 or text 311-692
2. Tell them:
   1. What happened
   2. Who you talked to
   3. What language you speak

Important things to know:

• Your immigration status does not matter
• You don't have to give your name
• You can file a complaint even if you're worried about getting in trouble

Read more about asking for an interpreter in NYC.

What if I don't get language help?

If you are not given language help, you can file a complaint:

For federal programs and services:

Federal offices and places that get federal money must help you in your language. This includes:

• Social Security (SSI, Disability, and Retirement)
• Food help (SNAP)
• Health services (Medicaid and Medicare)

How to file a complaint:

1. Get the complaint form on the US. Department of Justice website.
2. Fill out the forms
3. Make copies for yourself
4. Mail the original forms to: Federal Coordination and Compliance Section - 4CON Civil Rights Division U.S. Department of Justice 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20530

Need help filing a complaint? Call:

• English and Spanish: (888) 848-5306
• Voice: (202) 307-2222
• TDD: (202) 307-2678

Note: Each federal office might have its own complaint form. Check the website of the specific agency to find out.

For New York State services:

If you don't get help in your language at New York State public services (hospitals, pharmacies, social services offices, schools, police departments), contact:

Office of the New York State Attorney General, Civil Rights Bureau

28 Liberty Street, New York NY 10005

Phone: 212-416-8250

Email: Civil.Rights@ag.ny.gov