Brennan Center for Justice

For low-income people trying to navigate the often complex bureaucracy of public benefits offices, access to advocates who can give them information and advice would be of great help.  But for years, New York City has refused to allow advocates to distribute information or give advice in public areas of offices where the City administers public benefits, except when representing an individual client. 

In a lawsuit challenging this policy as unconstitutional under the First Amendment, the Brennan Center represented Make the Road by Walking, an advocacy organization.