Legal Rights & Protections · Surprise rank #423
Experienced Illegal Discrimination in NY? File a State Human-Rights Complaint for Free
New York’s Division of Human Rights accepts discrimination complaints without a filing fee or required private attorney and can investigate covered violations.
Who
People who believe they experienced covered discrimination or retaliation under New York State Human Rights Law.
What to do
Start here: Use the Division of Human Rights reporting page to start a complaint and preserve documents, messages, dates and witness information.
Eligibility: The conduct must fall within DHR jurisdiction and the complaint must be filed within the applicable time limit. For incidents on or after February 15, 2024, the general state filing period is 3 years.
What you get
The Division of Human Rights investigates complaints under the New York State Human Rights Law involving covered discrimination in areas such as employment, housing and public accommodations.
Benefit: A free state administrative complaint process that can investigate the case and, when a violation is found, order remedies allowed by law.
Possible value: Remedies vary by case and can include non-monetary relief and, where legally available, monetary awards; there is no guaranteed damages amount.
Good to know
Important: Filing does not guarantee a finding or damages, and the process can take many months. Other legal routes may have different deadlines and strategic consequences.
Availability: Active
Why people miss it: People may assume enforcing discrimination rights requires hiring a private lawyer and going directly to court.
Sources reviewed: Aug 10, 2026