News and stories about our work to protect and advance the civil legal rights of low-income Texans.
The purpose of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is to teach our communities about victimization, the effect victimization has on individuals, families, friends, and the community. It’s also a time to promote legislation, policies and programs that help victims of crime. Organizations are coming together this April to provide education and advocacy for crime victims. Lone Star Legal Aid’s Texas […]
The CDC order that stops evictions for nonpayment of rent has been extended to the end of June 2021. In order to get this protection from eviction, tenants are required to submit a declaration to their landlord. Below you will find a declaration in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese: DECLARATION (ENGLISH); DECLARATION (SPANISH); AND DECLARATION (VIETNAMESE). Please review the declaration carefully and […]
Mr. William Wright is an honorably discharged veteran who requires assistance from a roommate to get around. He contacted Lone Star Legal Aid to seek help to obtain the property he owned and had lived on for the past twenty years, which was sold at an auction in Liberty County as part of a tax foreclosure sale in March 2020. […]
This World Health Day, Lone Star Legal Aid participates in raising awareness by featuring its Houston Public Benefits Unit on its weekly Friday Law Talk on April 9, 2021, at 3 PM at www.facebook.com/LoneStarLegalAid. Lone Star Legal Aid’s Public Benefits Unit provides assistance to eligible individuals and families with obtaining Medicare, handing nursing home problems, obtaining county indigent health care, […]
Since April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Lone Star Legal Aid wants to educate the community on how sexual assault crimes have become more prevalent than ever before. Now is the time to educate others on how to create safe online spaces. As people engage online, we can all learn about digital consent and how to intervene if we observe […]
Because Jordan was incarcerated for 10 months, he was unable to file a tax return for the 2019 tax year. As a result, when the pandemic hit in 2020, he did not receive Economic Impact Payment (EIP) or stimulus payment. He was frustrated and confused because he understood that every American was eligible as long as they made under $75,000 in […]
The COVID-19 global health pandemic has caused widespread damage, including damage to the economy, right here in the United States. Families are suffering. They are desperate for money, food, shelter, and now, they need benefits to feed their families and take care of their children. COVID-19 has impacted family life, but thankfully Lone Star Legal Aid can help families obtain public […]
Challenging circumstances like the COVID-19 health pandemic have increased tension between intimate partners and reduced access to resources. Domestic violence has increased since the beginning of the pandemic, and now one year later, cases are still rising. The same can be said for child and animal abuse. Even though the public has been encouraged to prevent the rise of COVID-19 […]
Doctors diagnosed Joseph with Progressive Glaucoma, which is an eye condition that causes damage to the optic nerve resulting in permanent vision loss. He was told his eyesight would gradually fade over several years until he was blind, but little did he know he would be involved in an accident that would dramatically change his life sooner than he thought. […]
On March 11, the White House approved the $1.9 Trillion Virus Relief Bill. The bill includes: $1,400 checks $300/week jobless benefits $3B for mental health $14B for Department of Veterans Affairs $1,400/week in paid leave benefits $3,600 for child allowance $125B for K-12 schools $25B for rental assistance $25B for struggling restaurants $30B for public transit $14B for Covid-19 vaccinations, […]
Did you know that as of January 1, 2021, there have been new Rules of Civil Procedure in Texas? These changes impact all parties in a lawsuit and require information to be shared with the other parties at the beginning of a lawsuit. If the information is not shared by the deadline stated in the new rules, there are consequences. […]
This week is the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)’s National Consumer Protection Week. The week is “designed to focus on the importance of keeping consumers informed while providing them with free resources explaining their rights in the marketplace.” This week offers information to keep consumers aware of potential scams and keep them protected with helpful prevention resources. It is no secret […]
On February 23, 2021, The Equal Justice Works announced the first ever Disaster Relilience Month set for March. A collaborative of organizations has teamed up to spread awareness about disaster-related challenges and offer resources for disaster preparedness and recovery efforts. Throughout March, Lone Star Legal Aid will join Equal Justice Works, the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, the American […]
The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is currently accepting applications for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) following February’s Winter Storm Uri. As of February 19, 2021, workers who have lost their jobs or self-employed individuals who haven’t been able to work due to damages from the storm may be eligible for DUA benefits. Am I eligible? If one of the following applies to […]
Jasmine Melian, a physical therapist assistant at a Houston inpatient rehabilitation hospital, was at work last week when her children and 2 month old grandson lost power at the onset of Texas Winter Storm Uri. They immediately sought shelter with a relative and Jasmine joined them after she got off of work, and together they awaited the return of power. […]
The Internal Revenue Service has extended the tax filing season for Texas residents after winter storms wreaked havoc on the state. Instead of April 15, the tax deadline for individuals and businesses in Texas is June 15, the IRS announced Monday in a news release. Taxpayers in other states affected by the winter storms that had disaster declarations issued by […]
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act requires certain employers to provide employees with paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons relating to the COVID-19 public health emergency. The act gives all American businesses, with fewer than 500 employees, funds to provide employees with paid leave, either for the employee’s own health needs or to care […]
Following last week’s winter storm, many Texas consumers saw their wholesale electricity rates shoot up significantly, leaving them worried that their power would be disconnected if they were unable to make their utility payments. The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) has put in place several orders last Sunday that aim to protect Texans from utility disconnections for non-payment. In […]
Gregory, a Houston father, contracted COVID-19 and then his family’s life took a turn for the worst. Gregory lost his job due to contracting the virus, his landlord illegally locked the entire family of their home for not being able to come up with enough money to pay the rent, and they had no medical coverage. Gregory could not work […]
If you’ve applied for FEMA and have been denied, you may receive a phone call to advise you of ways to apply for the Small Business Administration (SBA). If referred to the SBA, a loan application must be completed and returned to be considered for a loan. The SBA gives low-interest disaster loans. You don’t have to own a business. […]