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Stronger Connections. Stronger Futures. Every January, the United States observes National Slavery and Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month, a designated time to educate the public about modern-day slavery and human trafficking and to reaffirm our collective commitment to protect survivors and prevent exploitation.  What Is Human Trafficking? Human trafficking is a form of modern slavery in which individuals are […]

After Fernando received a notice in the mail, he appeared at the courthouse in the next town over. He showed the judge a notice from LVNV, a debt collection company. LVNV’s letter said he owed over $3,000 on a loan he’d taken out from Cross River Bank more than three years ago. But Fernando hadn’t borrowed money from Cross Bank. […]

When a lease ends, many tenants expect their security deposit to come back in full. When renters move out, one of the biggest worries is whether they’ll get their security deposit back. Too often, landlords keep part—or even all—of a deposit for reasons that don’t seem fair. For Texas tenants, it helps to know what the law says and what […]

Taylor is a 29-year-old veteran in rural East Texas. She lives on a small veterans benefit check in a modest apartment with her young daughter. She called Lone Star Legal Aid because she needed a Durable Power of Attorney, or DPOA.  The purpose of a DPOA is to allow you to designate a person to take care of your person […]

Soon, the Social Security Administration may start taking back up to 50% of your monthly check if you have an overpayment.   If your check is reduced, or if you get any notice of an overpayment, don’t wait.  Call Lone Star Legal Aid for help: 1-800-733-8394. Our attorneys can work with the Social Security Administration to modify your repayment plan – […]

Lisa James worked at her job for nearly five years before feeling forced to resign due to a hostile work environment. Despite regularly working more than 40 hours per week, she was denied the overtime pay she was legally owed, and her employer claimed that she quit voluntarily. After being denied unemployment benefits by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), Ms. […]

How long does it take to pay off a $400 loan? It depends on the interest rate. James* got a loan for $400. The interest rate was so high, he could never pay it off. Why? Because the fees piled up too fast. He paid $50 every month for three years. That’s more than a thousand dollars; way more than […]

If you’re on the waiting list for a Housing Choice Voucher, the Houston Housing Authority (HHA) says you must re-register in a new system by 5pm on June 2, 2025. Those who do not re-register by the deadline will be removed from the waitlist. There are two waiting lists. The first is for housing choice vouchers. To join the other […]

For many low-income families, the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program is a crucial lifeline that provides access to affordable housing. The program allows families to rent private homes while receiving financial assistance to cover a portion of their rent. However, the process of obtaining and maintaining a voucher can be difficult to navigate, especially for those who experience challenges […]

Paris Groves is a disabled veteran relying on VA compensation benefits to make ends meet. Her adult son, who attends school in Chicago, lives with his father. One day, her son abruptly became unresponsive and went missing. After a search, he was found in a catatonic state, unable to speak or move on his own. His condition left his body […]

Mr. Soublet, a 60-year-old man who has survived several natural disasters, was struggling to make ends meet. His only income came from Social Security benefits, which were being reduced to pay off old debts to the Small Business Administration (SBA) and Social Security Administration. Because of this, he did not have enough money to pay his rent and faced eviction […]

Gloria Ramirez is a devoted mother to her adult daughter, who was born with a rare chromosomal condition that severely impacts her development. Her daughter has no awareness of her identity, is unable to hear or speak, and requires assistance with walking. As her primary caregiver, Gloria manages every aspect of her daughter’s daily life, including her medical needs. However, […]

Estate planning is more than just drafting a will—it’s about ensuring that a person’s wishes are carried out efficiently and legally after they pass. Without proper planning, an estate often has to go through probate, a court process that can be time-consuming and costly. By setting up the right legal documents, individuals can avoid probate and ensure their assets go […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, February 14, 2025 Media contact: Texas Housers – Michael Depland, michael@texashousing.org  Lone Star Legal Aid – Clarissa Ayala, cayala@lonestarlegal.org  Houston Young Lawyers Association – Cassie Maneen,  cmaneen@beckredden.com  CCPPI – Lorenzo Salinas, lorenzo.salinas@ccppi.org   HOUSTON, TX – Texas Housers, Lone Star Legal Aid, Houston Young Lawyers Association, Beck Redden, and CCPPI are hosting a public film screening […]

Taxpayers may be eligible for a $1,400 stimulus check if they were overlooked during the first wave of checks in 2021. When the IRS sent out stimulus checks due to the financial adversity caused by COVID-19, many taxpayers failed to claim a Recovery Rebate Credit on their tax returns. The IRS will be paying $2.4 billion to one million Americans […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE HOUSTON, TEXAS — Northwest Justice Project, in collaboration with Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County (NLSLA), Lone Star Legal Aid, Pro Bono Net, Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, Legal Aid of Arkansas, Legal Aid of Northwest Texas, Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, Disability Rights California, California Rural Legal Assistance, Briefly Now, and several other significant contributors, […]

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Uber and Lyft take your safety very seriously and work in collaboration with law enforcement to make sure every rider feels safe and every driver follows procedure. From the time you are picked up to the time you are dropped off at your destination, your experience should not make you feel uncomfortable in any way. There are safety tips all […]

Lone Star Legal Aid’s (LSLA) Communications Assistant, Natalie Cochran interviewed LSLA’s Supervising Attorney of Program-Wide Units, Lindsay Eustace who answered questions about our Rise to Recovery Program.  The Opioid epidemic has had devastation consequences across our communities, leaving countless consequences, and leaving countless individuals facing a range of legal challenges. Our Rise to Recovery Program recognizes the urgent need for […]

UPDATE: This change went into effect March 1, 2024. Low-income mothers in Texas will now receive Medicaid coverage for a year after giving birth. This approval, granted by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, marks a year-long initiative that encompasses half of all births in the state. In Texas, Medicaid enrollment grew steadily throughout the pandemic, increasing from about […]