How to get counseling for free

9 Best Free and Affordable Online Therapists, 2022

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We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process.

Best for teens:7 Cups
Best for depression support: Doctor on Demand
Best for couples: ReGain
Best for families: Therapy Aid
Best for those with a busy schedule: Bliss by the Centre for Interactive Mental Health Solutions
Best multipurpose platform: Online-Therapy.com
Best for emergencies and crises: Crisis Text Line

Online therapy became increasingly popular in 2020 as people sought professional help to cope with the emotional and mental consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that, in just the first few months of 2020, online therapy increased by 50 percent compared with online therapy in 2019.

Not only is online therapy far more accessible these days, with more therapists turning to online platforms to continue their practice, but it has also proven to help people experiencing isolation, depression, anxiety, and even survivor guilt.

Online therapy is a great option for those who are unwilling or unable to leave the safety of home. It’s also a great solution for those juggling multiple responsibilities, such as parenting, teaching, and remote work.

Many health insurance providers now cover online therapy sessions, which can make talking with a professional low cost and even free.

Some employee assistance programs (EAPs) also offer free trials and sessions for different online therapy websites, which could help employees gain access to a professional.

Here are Healthline’s picks for the best free and affordable online therapy and counseling websites.

“Online therapy is an opportunity to meet with your therapist online, using a HIPAA compliant platform,” says Dr. Tracy W. Lowenthal, a licensed clinical psychologist in California.

Also known as telemental healthcare, it’s often done over a messaging app, video chat, or even the phone.

Because online therapy is accessible through an internet connection and a device, Marilyn Denovish, a multidisciplinary therapist, says that “online therapy can be as effective, and sometimes even more effective than, traditional face-to-face services.”

This is because people might find it easier to open up to a therapist when they can talk with them from the comfort of their home.

How much can free online therapy cost?

You can find free or low cost therapy through social services, nonprofits, universities, financial assistance programs, and employee assistance programs.

The average cost of an hour-long therapy appointment can range from about $65 to $250, depending on your therapist’s training, experience, and location.

Can free online therapy help?

Various studies show that free online therapy can be just as good (or even better) than traditional types of therapy. It all depends on how well your therapist and treatment strategy suits your needs.

For example, a 2020 study by the Journal of American College Health centered around goalsetting and finding solutions to problems found that both in-person and online therapy reduced anxiety equally.

So, depending on the person and circumstances, using online therapy services like 7 Cups and ReGain can be quite effective.

What can free online therapy help with?

Free online therapy can help with certain conditions and feelings, such as:

stress
anxiety
relationship issues
minor depression

However, it’s important to keep in mind that these types of services are not ideal for emergency situations or more serious situations, like addiction or eating disorders. Additionally, some conditions may warrant medication, in-person discussions, or group therapy.

We selected each free or low cost online therapy service based on key features to ensure the mental health support offered is:

secure
affordable
reliable
appropriately credentialed

We also considered how long you need to wait for an appointment, whether the service offers 24/7 support, and if the service offers video and phone chat, live chat, and text messaging.

It’s important to consider your mental health needs when choosing an online therapy service. Factors like service cost, insurance coverage, and appointment types offered (chat, video, or phone call) will help you determine the online therapy service that fits your personal needs and lifestyle.

Therapy service	Price	Appointment type	Accepts insurance	Same-day appointments or on-demand messaging
7 Cups	free to chat with volunteer listeners and $150 per month to talk with a professional	chat	no	yes
Doctor on Demand	therapy ranges from $129–$179, initial psychiatrist appointments cost $299, and 15-minute follow-ups are $129	video	yes	no
ReGain	free 1-week trial, then from $60 per week	chat video phone	no	yes
Therapy Aid	free to $50 per session	video	N/A	no
Bliss	free	N/A	N/A	N/A
Online-Therapy. com	$50–$110 a week depending on your plan	live chat messages	no	on-demanding messaging
Crisis Text Line	free	N/A (available to use in the case of crisis situations)	N/A	on-demand messaging

Best for teens

7 Cups

Price: free for nontherapeutic advice, $150/month for a licensed therapist
Insurance: no, but you can contact your provider for potential reimbursement
Who it’s best for: teenagers looking for peer-to-peer support

This free online counseling website provides access to trained volunteers who offer nontherapeutic advice.

Anyone can sign up for a free membership to 7 Cups, even teenagers who are looking for other trained teenagers to lend them listening ears.

However, if you feel like you might need professional help, you can upgrade your membership to give you access to a licensed therapist. They will offer coping mechanisms and a management plan for $150 per month.

Pros

free access to volunteer listeners
free dedicated chat rooms and community support forums for teens between the ages of 13 and 17
on-demand messaging

Cons

must pay to access professional help
does not accept insurance
only offers chat-based therapy

Get started with 7 Cups

Best for depression support

Doctor on Demand

Price: therapy ranges from $129 to $179, initial psychiatrist appointments cost $299, and 15-minute follow-ups are $129
Insurance: insurance is accepted by Doctor on Demand, but you’ll have to download the app and input your information to find out if you’re covered
Who it’s best for: those seeking medication or psychiatric support

Doctor on Demand can provide medical mental health management from the comfort of your home.

This can be especially helpful during the COVID-19 pandemic, when people need access to a doctor who will prescribe the necessary medications to treat depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions.

One of the best parts about Doctor on Demand? You can also talk with other professionals not related to mental health, such as urgent care doctors.

If you don’t have insurance, a 25-minute session is $129 and a 50-minute session is $179. Initial psychiatrist appointments cost $299, and 15-minute follow-ups are $129.

Pros

accepts insurance
offers live video chat
physical health services also provided

Cons

limited treatment options
no free trials or subscription discounts
consultations are not free

Get started with Doctor on Demand

Best for couples

ReGain

Price: free 1-week trial, then priced from $60 per week
Insurance: no, but you can contact your provider for potential reimbursement
Who it’s best for: couples seeking marital or relationship therapy

If you’re looking to improve your relationship or marriage, ReGain gives couples and individuals access to therapists and marriage counseling.

Aside from techniques to manage your relationship, ReGain also offers discretion and anonymity. However, if you sign up with your partner, all communication between the couple and therapist is visible to all parties — though you may request one-on-one sessions.

ReGain starts at $60 per week, but the service also offers a free 1-week trial.

Pros

easily adjust your payment plan or cancel your subscription
24/7 messaging available
live virtual sessions with your partner and your counselor

Cons

services are not covered by health insurance
matching is done by a computer, not a real person
no free trial

Get started with ReGain

Best for families

Therapy Aid Coalition

Price: free to $50 per session depending on how much you’re able to pay
Insurance: not accepted
Who it’s best for: families and individuals looking for low cost counseling

Therapy Aid Coalition connects essential workers and their families to support groups and therapists.

This volunteer-based platform works with therapists willing to offer their services pro bono or for a very low cost. When you sign up, you fill out a questionnaire that asks what state you reside in and how much you’re willing to pay for your session, from $0 to $50.

Pros

serves all essential workers, even those who were furloughed
also serves essential workers’ adult family members
choose your preferred therapist’s gender identification

Cons

not everyone is eligible for the service
can only receive up to four free or low cost sessions

Get started with Therapy Aid Coalition

Best for those with a busy schedule

Bliss by the Centre for Interactive Mental Health Solutions

Price: free
Insurance: N/A
Who it’s best for: those looking for self-guided mental health support

If you don’t feel comfortable committing to a therapist just yet, Bliss offers eight free sessions that you can complete on your own. Bliss teaches you how to monitor your moods, manage situations, and improve your mental health with different techniques.

You can complete the lessons at any time, so if you are a busy parent or juggle responsibilities and only get a break before bed, it can be doable.

Pros

lessons are self-guided
program is available to anyone with internet access
specifically targets depression

Cons

does not offer any appointments with trained professionals
some users may lack the motivation to complete the program

Get started with Bliss

Best multipurpose platform

Online-Therapy.com

Price: plans range from $50 to $110/week. There’s also a 20% discount available for your first month
Insurance: no, but you can contact your provider for potential reimbursement
Who it’s best for: people seeking cognitive behavioral therapy

If you’re interested in cognitive behavioral therapy, Online-Therapy offers a multi-platform approach. The site provides multiple resources including worksheets, unlimited messaging, an online journal, and a weekly live chat with your therapist, as well as both individual and couples therapy.

The cost ranges from $50 to $110 per month depending on the plan you choose. Unlike other platforms, the therapists on this site are only available Monday through Friday for 8 hours per day, which means you can’t receive 24/7 support.

Pros

includes an online course on cognitive behavioral therapy
unlimited messaging is available with every plan
can choose to work with a therapist or work on your own
you can work on self-guided worksheets and resources with daily feedback from your therapists

Cons

doesn’t accept insurance
24/7 support isn’t available
therapists are only available Monday through Friday

Get started with Online-Therapy.com

Best for emergencies and crises

Crisis Text Line

Price: free
Insurance: N/A
Who it’s best for: people in crisis who need immediate support

Crisis Text Hotline was designed to immediately respond to people who are having a mental health crisis. To use this free service, you just need to text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the United States. You’ll then receive two automated responses that will invite you to a secure, online platform where a live, trained counselor will talk with you. If you’re uncomfortable with texting, you can also message them on WhatsApp.

If you’re not located in the U.S., you can contact the service by texting:

85258 if you’re in the United Kingdom
686868 if you’re in Canada
50808 if you’re in Ireland

Counselors can provide support on a number of issues, including:

anxiety
eating disorders
suicidal thoughts or ideation
self-harm
depression
emotional abuse
loneliness

While this text service can be helpful in a crisis situation, and you can text in when needed, it’s not a replacement for therapy or counseling. Additionally, it’s not a substitute for contacting 911 in the case of wanting to carry out violence against yourself or others.

Pros

supports people in crisis who are dealing with a range of issues
24/7 availability
international support is also available
free to use

Cons

counselors are trained volunteers, not therapists
only for use in a crisis situation, not for follow-up or continued use
limit of 160 characters per text message

Get started with Crisis Text Line

Tips for finding free online therapists

Finding free online therapists is typically not very easy. If you have insurance, a good place to start is to give your benefits center a call. Or, you can do a quick search online.

Here are a few places that might help you find free or affordable online therapy:

Your health insurance provider. With the ongoing pandemic, most health insurances have started to cover the cost of some online therapy platforms. If you have insurance, check with them before settling with a pricey program.
EAPs. Most employers offer free counseling sessions with the platform of their choice. If you have one, don’t be afraid to send your benefits center or human resource official an email to ask if they offer any services.
Your local college or university. If you’re a student or professor, your campus most likely has a counseling center or social worker who can assist you in identifying resources for support. If the university has a psychology department, they may host free clinics where students can put their skills to the test and help the public.
Mental health organizations. Several national organizations, like Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), can help you find free or low cost online therapists or resources. These are usually trustworthy resources that they’ve worked with before and that they know can help you with your situation.

If you prefer more intimacy or are dealing with serious issues that require exposure therapy or many in-depth discussions (like those relating to addiction, eating disorders, or severe depression), you may want to think about seeing a therapist in person.

With that being said, everyone is different and this will be a matter of personal preference. If you have quicker access to an online therapist, you might want to start off this way and then switch to in-person if it suits you better overall.

What are the benefits of online therapy?

Accessibility. Anyone with an internet connection can participate in online therapy.
Time efficiency. Online therapy and counseling eliminates travel time between appointments or support group meetings. You can also mold it to your schedule and don’t have to call out sick to work to make it to your appointment.
Cost effectiveness. Online therapy can be cheaper than in-person visits, and most health insurances cover part of the cost.
Eliminates geographical barriers. If your ideal therapist resides in another state or country, you can still get treatment with them as long as they’re licensed in the state you live in.
Comfort. Some people might find it easier to open up to a therapist when they’re in the privacy and comfort of their own home.
Safety. With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth eliminates the risk of potential exposure.

Can therapy really be free?

A number of online services offer free or reduced cost therapy. Sometimes these free services will be run by peer counselors or coaches, but require payment to work directly with licensed mental health professionals. Additionally, certain online services may be covered by some insurance plans or EAPs.

Also, a number of mental health organizations, including SAMHSA and NAMI, can provide free peer counseling over their hotlines or connect you with a free or low cost online therapist.

Who might be a good candidate for online therapy?

Anyone who is willing to listen, focus, and commit to bettering their mental health may benefit from online therapy. However, online therapy is not useful for helping to manage all conditions.

A 2013 review revealed that people with depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and substance use disorders can thrive in online therapy. Online therapy is also a great option if you are having trouble finding a therapist near you that suits your needs.

However, someone with a mental health condition that needs more direct management, such as schizophrenia or psychosis, might need immediate, face-to-face intervention. Online therapy might not be helpful for people with schizophrenia, because it may exacerbate the feeling of being secretly watched.

Additionally, if you or someone you know is experiencing significant suicidal ideation, in-person therapy might be a better choice.

If you’re thinking about hurting yourself or somebody else, please find confidential support by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255. You can also call 911 or your local emergency services number, or visit the nearest emergency room.

You can find information about additional mental health resources here.

Managing your mental health doesn’t have to be time-consuming or expensive.

There are various online therapy platforms that can help you find support groups or licensed therapists, who can teach you how to manage anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other mental health conditions for free or a very low cost.

9 Best Free and Affordable Online Therapists, 2022

Share on Pinterest

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process.

Best for teens:7 Cups
Best for depression support: Doctor on Demand
Best for couples: ReGain
Best for families: Therapy Aid
Best for those with a busy schedule: Bliss by the Centre for Interactive Mental Health Solutions
Best multipurpose platform: Online-Therapy. com
Best for emergencies and crises: Crisis Text Line

Online therapy became increasingly popular in 2020 as people sought professional help to cope with the emotional and mental consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that, in just the first few months of 2020, online therapy increased by 50 percent compared with online therapy in 2019.

Many health insurance providers now cover online therapy sessions, which can make talking with a professional low cost and even free.

Some employee assistance programs (EAPs) also offer free trials and sessions for different online therapy websites, which could help employees gain access to a professional.

Here are Healthline’s picks for the best free and affordable online therapy and counseling websites.

“Online therapy is an opportunity to meet with your therapist online, using a HIPAA compliant platform,” says Dr. Tracy W. Lowenthal, a licensed clinical psychologist in California.

Also known as telemental healthcare, it’s often done over a messaging app, video chat, or even the phone.

This is because people might find it easier to open up to a therapist when they can talk with them from the comfort of their home.

How much can free online therapy cost?

You can find free or low cost therapy through social services, nonprofits, universities, financial assistance programs, and employee assistance programs.

The average cost of an hour-long therapy appointment can range from about $65 to $250, depending on your therapist’s training, experience, and location.

Can free online therapy help?

For example, a 2020 study by the Journal of American College Health centered around goalsetting and finding solutions to problems found that both in-person and online therapy reduced anxiety equally.

So, depending on the person and circumstances, using online therapy services like 7 Cups and ReGain can be quite effective.

What can free online therapy help with?

Free online therapy can help with certain conditions and feelings, such as:

stress
anxiety
relationship issues
minor depression

We selected each free or low cost online therapy service based on key features to ensure the mental health support offered is:

secure
affordable
reliable
appropriately credentialed

We also considered how long you need to wait for an appointment, whether the service offers 24/7 support, and if the service offers video and phone chat, live chat, and text messaging.

Therapy service	Price	Appointment type	Accepts insurance	Same-day appointments or on-demand messaging
7 Cups	free to chat with volunteer listeners and $150 per month to talk with a professional	chat	no	yes
Doctor on Demand	therapy ranges from $129–$179, initial psychiatrist appointments cost $299, and 15-minute follow-ups are $129	video	yes	no
ReGain	free 1-week trial, then from $60 per week	chat video phone	no	yes
Therapy Aid	free to $50 per session	video	N/A	no
Bliss	free	N/A	N/A	N/A
Online-Therapy. com	$50–$110 a week depending on your plan	live chat messages	no	on-demanding messaging
Crisis Text Line	free	N/A (available to use in the case of crisis situations)	N/A	on-demand messaging

Best for teens

7 Cups

Price: free for nontherapeutic advice, $150/month for a licensed therapist
Insurance: no, but you can contact your provider for potential reimbursement
Who it’s best for: teenagers looking for peer-to-peer support

This free online counseling website provides access to trained volunteers who offer nontherapeutic advice.

Anyone can sign up for a free membership to 7 Cups, even teenagers who are looking for other trained teenagers to lend them listening ears.

Pros

free access to volunteer listeners
free dedicated chat rooms and community support forums for teens between the ages of 13 and 17
on-demand messaging

Cons

must pay to access professional help
does not accept insurance
only offers chat-based therapy

Get started with 7 Cups

Best for depression support

Doctor on Demand

Price: therapy ranges from $129 to $179, initial psychiatrist appointments cost $299, and 15-minute follow-ups are $129
Insurance: insurance is accepted by Doctor on Demand, but you’ll have to download the app and input your information to find out if you’re covered
Who it’s best for: those seeking medication or psychiatric support

Doctor on Demand can provide medical mental health management from the comfort of your home.

One of the best parts about Doctor on Demand? You can also talk with other professionals not related to mental health, such as urgent care doctors.

If you don’t have insurance, a 25-minute session is $129 and a 50-minute session is $179. Initial psychiatrist appointments cost $299, and 15-minute follow-ups are $129.

Pros

accepts insurance
offers live video chat
physical health services also provided

Cons

limited treatment options
no free trials or subscription discounts
consultations are not free

Get started with Doctor on Demand

Best for couples

ReGain

Price: free 1-week trial, then priced from $60 per week
Insurance: no, but you can contact your provider for potential reimbursement
Who it’s best for: couples seeking marital or relationship therapy

If you’re looking to improve your relationship or marriage, ReGain gives couples and individuals access to therapists and marriage counseling.

ReGain starts at $60 per week, but the service also offers a free 1-week trial.

Pros

easily adjust your payment plan or cancel your subscription
24/7 messaging available
live virtual sessions with your partner and your counselor

Cons

services are not covered by health insurance
matching is done by a computer, not a real person
no free trial

Get started with ReGain

Best for families

Therapy Aid Coalition

Price: free to $50 per session depending on how much you’re able to pay
Insurance: not accepted
Who it’s best for: families and individuals looking for low cost counseling

Therapy Aid Coalition connects essential workers and their families to support groups and therapists.

Pros

serves all essential workers, even those who were furloughed
also serves essential workers’ adult family members
choose your preferred therapist’s gender identification

Cons

not everyone is eligible for the service
can only receive up to four free or low cost sessions

Get started with Therapy Aid Coalition

Best for those with a busy schedule

Bliss by the Centre for Interactive Mental Health Solutions

Price: free
Insurance: N/A
Who it’s best for: those looking for self-guided mental health support

You can complete the lessons at any time, so if you are a busy parent or juggle responsibilities and only get a break before bed, it can be doable.

Pros

lessons are self-guided
program is available to anyone with internet access
specifically targets depression

Cons

does not offer any appointments with trained professionals
some users may lack the motivation to complete the program

Get started with Bliss

Best multipurpose platform

Online-Therapy.com

Price: plans range from $50 to $110/week. There’s also a 20% discount available for your first month
Insurance: no, but you can contact your provider for potential reimbursement
Who it’s best for: people seeking cognitive behavioral therapy

Pros

includes an online course on cognitive behavioral therapy
unlimited messaging is available with every plan
can choose to work with a therapist or work on your own
you can work on self-guided worksheets and resources with daily feedback from your therapists

Cons

doesn’t accept insurance
24/7 support isn’t available
therapists are only available Monday through Friday

Get started with Online-Therapy.com

Best for emergencies and crises

Crisis Text Line

Price: free
Insurance: N/A
Who it’s best for: people in crisis who need immediate support

If you’re not located in the U.S., you can contact the service by texting:

85258 if you’re in the United Kingdom
686868 if you’re in Canada
50808 if you’re in Ireland

Counselors can provide support on a number of issues, including:

anxiety
eating disorders
suicidal thoughts or ideation
self-harm
depression
emotional abuse
loneliness

Pros

supports people in crisis who are dealing with a range of issues
24/7 availability
international support is also available
free to use

Cons

counselors are trained volunteers, not therapists
only for use in a crisis situation, not for follow-up or continued use
limit of 160 characters per text message

Get started with Crisis Text Line

Tips for finding free online therapists

Finding free online therapists is typically not very easy. If you have insurance, a good place to start is to give your benefits center a call. Or, you can do a quick search online.

Here are a few places that might help you find free or affordable online therapy:

Your health insurance provider. With the ongoing pandemic, most health insurances have started to cover the cost of some online therapy platforms. If you have insurance, check with them before settling with a pricey program.
EAPs. Most employers offer free counseling sessions with the platform of their choice. If you have one, don’t be afraid to send your benefits center or human resource official an email to ask if they offer any services.
Your local college or university. If you’re a student or professor, your campus most likely has a counseling center or social worker who can assist you in identifying resources for support. If the university has a psychology department, they may host free clinics where students can put their skills to the test and help the public.
Mental health organizations. Several national organizations, like Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), can help you find free or low cost online therapists or resources. These are usually trustworthy resources that they’ve worked with before and that they know can help you with your situation.

What are the benefits of online therapy?

Accessibility. Anyone with an internet connection can participate in online therapy.
Time efficiency. Online therapy and counseling eliminates travel time between appointments or support group meetings. You can also mold it to your schedule and don’t have to call out sick to work to make it to your appointment.
Cost effectiveness. Online therapy can be cheaper than in-person visits, and most health insurances cover part of the cost.
Eliminates geographical barriers. If your ideal therapist resides in another state or country, you can still get treatment with them as long as they’re licensed in the state you live in.
Comfort. Some people might find it easier to open up to a therapist when they’re in the privacy and comfort of their own home.
Safety. With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth eliminates the risk of potential exposure.

Can therapy really be free?

Also, a number of mental health organizations, including SAMHSA and NAMI, can provide free peer counseling over their hotlines or connect you with a free or low cost online therapist.

Who might be a good candidate for online therapy?

Anyone who is willing to listen, focus, and commit to bettering their mental health may benefit from online therapy. However, online therapy is not useful for helping to manage all conditions.

Additionally, if you or someone you know is experiencing significant suicidal ideation, in-person therapy might be a better choice.

You can find information about additional mental health resources here.

Managing your mental health doesn’t have to be time-consuming or expensive.

How to get legal assistance for free?

Trokhacheva Olga

Head of Litigation at the law firm Grits and Partners

Grits Dmitry

Attorney at the Moscow Administration, Managing Partner of the law firm Grits and Partners

May 29, 2020

Tips

Pay attention to the date of publication of the material: the information may be out of date due to changes in legislation or law enforcement practice.

On the All-Russian Day of Free Legal Aid, everyone will be able to get it. At the same time, and on other days, legal bureaus, clinics and centers, human rights organizations and law firms, lawyers and notaries help citizens free of charge

On June 1, the All-Russian Day of Free Legal Aid “Lawyers to Citizens” will be held. It is held on the initiative of the Federal Chamber of Lawyers of the Russian Federation twice a year and is timed to coincide with the Day of the Russian Bar (May 31) and Lawyer's Day (December 3). On this day, any citizen will be able to receive free qualified legal assistance.

The Federal Chamber of Lawyers of the Russian Federation sent letters to the bar associations of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, in which it recommended that addresses and schedules for the reception of citizens on that day be posted on the websites of the chambers and colleges, taking into account the restrictions in force in the regions due to the spread of coronavirus, as well as telephone numbers where you can get legal advice .

At the same time, free legal aid (FCA) can be obtained on other days.

Who has the right to count on the FCLA all year round?

Both individuals and legal entities can receive free assistance. But it must be taken into account that state organizations provide it to citizens with low incomes or those in difficult life situations: veterans of the Second World War, disabled people of groups I and II, and elderly citizens. The full list is in Art. 20 of the Law of November 21, 2011 No. 324-FZ; paragraph 3 of Art. 7 of the Law of July 2, 1992 No. 3185-1.

Non-governmental organizations themselves determine the categories of citizens who can apply to them for free assistance. But the advantage is still given to the poor and those in a difficult situation.

BYUP: how to help?

Free legal assistance does not differ from paid legal assistance: these are consultations in oral and written form, drawing up applications, complaints, petitions, and even legal representation. But there are nuances.

State organizations and lawyers help only in specific situations: in disputes over the protection of consumer rights and property rights, some labor and family disputes, issues of providing social support measures. A complete list is given in Part 2 of Art. 20 of the Law of November 21, 2011 No. 324-FZ.

Non-governmental organizations themselves determine the types of FLA. They can both expand the list and narrow it down by choosing one direction.

Who provides the FCLA and where can it be obtained?

For information on where to go for free legal aid, visit the Department of Justice website. But you need to keep in mind that the information on the site has not been updated since June 2014, so below we will tell you in detail about where free assistance will be provided.

1. State legal bureaus help free of charge those who are entitled to such assistance by law: veterans, the disabled, the poor, adoptive parents, citizens affected by emergencies. The list of bureaus is available on the website of the Ministry of Justice.

2. Lawyers provide free legal assistance only to those categories of citizens listed in Art. 20 of the FCLA Law. Lists of lawyers who are ready to help free of charge are published on the websites of regional bar associations. The list of bar associations of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, their contacts and information about the FCLA are available on the FPA RF website.

3. In the cases established by law, the participation of a lawyer as a defense counsel in criminal proceedings shall be paid from the federal budget, i.e. his assistance will be free for the client. For example, the mandatory appointment of a defense lawyer is provided if the suspect or accused is a minor, cannot independently carry out his defense due to physical or mental disabilities (part 4 of article 16; part 5 of article 50; part 1 of article 51 of the Code of Criminal Procedure of the Russian Federation) .

4. Notaries provide free legal assistance and advise on the performance of notarial acts. They can, for example, get answers to questions about inheritance cases, documents related to family law (agreements on alimony and the order of communication with the child, marriage contracts, etc.), entrepreneurs can consult on corporate issues.

5. Non-governmental centers of the FCLA operate with the help of politicians, charitable organizations and foundations. The list of centers is published on the website of the Ministry of Justice. But you need to keep in mind that they usually receive a lot of requests, and lawyers are not always able to quickly respond to requests.

6. Human rights public organizations have been created to protect the rights of citizens free of charge. More often, such organizations specialize in certain issues. For example, the Committee against Torture was created to exercise public control over the problem of ill-treatment of people by law enforcement officers and to provide professional legal assistance to victims of torture. The organization "Rus Sitting" is called upon to provide assistance to convicts and their families. The human rights group "Agora" brings together human rights lawyers working on high-profile cases of human rights violations. The Union of Committees of Soldiers' Mothers of Russia is engaged in protecting the rights of conscripts, conscripts and their parents.

7. Victims of Violence Centers provide free legal assistance to victims of domestic violence. They can advise on divorce, alimony, determining the place of residence of the child and communication with him, establishing and challenging paternity, deprivation and restriction of parental rights, deregistration and eviction. Among such centers are: "Violence. No", "You are not alone", "Consortium of Women's NGOs", Crisis Center for Women and Children.

“Free” assistance can only be a bait

Free legal advice on housing issues

Maxim Larionov (Chita) Heading: Housing

Agreement between a borrower and a co-borrower in a divorce

The mother-in-law is the mortgage borrower, as she had a certificate for the down payment. I am a co-borrower, in fact, I pay off the mortgage debt. Purchase and sale was on the mother-in-law. Now my wife and I are divorcing. How to draw up an agreement to pay off the mortgage together and when the debt is paid off, I would receive a share of the apartment?

Mortgage, Divorce, Division of property

Andrey (Rostov-on-Don) Heading: Housing

Co-owners' consent to the demolition of a burned-out house

I want to buy a 1/6 share in the ownership of a land plot with home ownership. Also on the site there is a destroyed non-residential house after a fire. I wanted to use the land under the house at my own discretion. Can I demolish or renovate a damaged building if two co-owners agree to do anything, but the location of the third co-owner is unknown?

Dmitry (Krasnoyarsk Territory) Heading: Housing

Payment for the repair of interpanel seams

I applied to the management company with a request to repair the interpanel seams of my apartment. I was told that only 2 meters would be made free of charge, and I would have to pay for the rest. Is this true?

Management company, Repair, Property

Ivan (Kirov) Heading: Housing

Subtleties of issuing housing certificates

Since 2012, I have been on the waiting list for a housing certificate, as I live in a village with special conditions for economic activity, which is subject to resettlement . The obligation to issue housing certificates is assigned to the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia. In 2022, I learned that 20 certificates had been issued, but according to the consolidated list of citizens posted on the website of the regional department of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia, the queue did not move forward. It turns out that the certificates were issued bypassing the consolidated list (for example, retired employees of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia). How legitimate is the issuance of housing certificates bypassing the consolidated list?

Anna Vasilyeva (Odintsovo) Heading: Housing

Approval of a donation transaction after its completion

The apartment was purchased in marriage and, being jointly acquired property, was registered to the husband. The husband presented the apartment to his mother, but the wife's notarized consent to the donation was not issued. Now the spouse's mother is selling the apartment, and the buyer has the risk of challenging the donation transaction by the son's wife. The son's wife is ready to confirm that the gift transaction was concluded with her knowledge, and she has no claims under the gift transaction. How can this be done? Notaries say that they do not approve the transaction that has already taken place. Are there any options for confirming the absence of claims from the son's wife on an already completed transaction for buyers?

Property, Notary, Donation

Dmitry Heading: Housing

Private house management procedure

Three individuals built a house and have equal shares. What is the convenient way to control the house? Can these individuals establish a legal entity to manage the house (to raise funds for repairs, pay for utilities and housing services, purchase furniture for common areas, etc.

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