Mobilization for Justice (MFJ) provides free civil legal advice and representation to low-income Bronx residents who are living with HIV/AIDS and who face housing instability, difficulty accessing public benefits, family court problems, discrimination, or who might be interested in making arrangements for their and their children’s future care. MFJ staff have expertise in a range of legal matters, as well as an understanding of the unique challenges facing persons living with HIV. MFJ provides direct representation in court, advocacy with government agencies, advice or referrals as appropriate, and assistance with drafting legal documents.
MFJ can assist HIV-positive Bronx residents:
- In Housing Court, to prevent evictions or obtain repairs
- In Family Court proceedings (custody, visitation, neglect, support), including assisting domestic violence survivors
- With their HASA benefits (or Medicaid, SNAP or ADAP benefits), or with Social Security Administration appeals for SSI or SSD
- With HIV-related discrimination or breaches of HIV confidentiality rights
- With drafting last wills and testaments, health care proxies and living wills, powers of attorney, designations of standby guardianship
- With debtor/creditor law issues
MFJ conducts walk-in intakes at their Bronx office (near The Hub) on Tuesdays, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., provided that prospective clients appear with proof of their HIV status and documentation of their household income.