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Launched in 2004, National Preparedness Month (NPM) is FEMA’s national annual preparedness outreach. NPM is managed and sponsored by FEMA’s Ready Campaign. The Ready Campaign, in conjunction with the Ad Council, aims to educate and empower Americans during NPM and throughout the year to prepare for and respond to all types of emergencies, including natural disasters and potential terrorist attacks. […]

June is the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s National Homeownership Month, a time to celebrate the benefits that homeownership brings to families, neighborhoods, and communities across America. To learn more about National Homeownership Month, read the Presidential Proclamation. June is also the beginning of the Gulf Hurricane Season. Lone Star Legal Aid joins National Homeownership Month by sharing resources […]

Extreme heat conditions have been reported all throughout Texas for the past few summers. Make sure you’re prepared to beat the heat with our tips, resources, and explanation of renters’ rights. Tips for Staying Cool According to KHOU, “If the heat index hits at least 108 for two consecutive days, Houston Health Department will open cooling centers.” If you lose […]

Houston, TX – It has been almost five years since the seniors living at 2100 Memorial, a Houston Housing Authority (“HHA”) property with a view of Downtown Houston, were displaced due to Hurricane Harvey. Now, they are on their way home. The HHA broke ground Tuesday morning on an affordable senior living facility to replace the former building, subject to […]

HOUSTON/GALVESTON—Free legal resources are available to low-income individuals affected by flooding and other conditions created by Hurricane Nicholas. The State Bar of Texas’s toll-free disaster legal services hotline—800-504-7030—puts callers in touch with legal aid providers in their areas who can help with: Replacement of important legal documents lost or destroyed in the disaster; Life, medical, and property insurance claims; Home […]

Every year, thousands of Texans suffer damage to their homes and livelihoods because of natural disasters, namely hurricanes. There are many ways that you can prepare yourself to minimize the amount of loss sustained from hurricanes passing through the state. Every home should have an ample number of supplies in case of emergency. While gathering supplies, you should keep in […]

It has been three months since Winter Storm Uri hit in February and left Texans scrambling for home and vehicle repairs. Although many Texans may have taken care of repairs on their own by now, they may be reimbursed for out of pocket expenses by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). What can FEMA help me with? FEMA provides assistance […]

In September of 2019–two short years after Hurricane Harvey– the Texas Gulf Coast was hit with Tropical Storm Imelda. The storm lasted through the weekend and was dubbed the worst storm in Texas since Harvey, leaving in its wake 5 deaths and innumerable losses. The heavy rainfall shut down most roadways and flooded vehicles, buildings, and homes. Imelda hit hardest […]

May 9-15, 2021 is National Hurricane Preparedness Week. This week is dedicated to informing, preparing, and planning for disastrous weather this hurricane season. Rain, wind, and water can happen anywhere, not just on the coast, so it’s keen to start preparing as soon as possible. It is important to consider how COVID-19 might affect your preparation plans. Make sure everyone […]

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 […]

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 […]

JOINT PRESS RELEASE  February 23, 2021  AUSTIN—The State Bar of Texas, the American Bar Association, and legal aid providers across the state  remind Texans that a toll-free legal assistance hotline is available to low-income individuals and families affected by the Texas winter storm that began February 11.   The hotline—800-504-7030—is available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese and connects low-income  individuals affected […]

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. […]

In the aftermath of the Texas winter storm, which resulted in more snow than the state has seen since 1968, many Texans are desperately seeking help for the physical damage their homes have sustained. While this disaster has brought many communities together, it has also opened the doors to inevitable scams, like price gouging or home repair fraud. Scammers rely […]

Lone Star Legal Aid is hosting a Facebook Live event on Tuesday, February 23, 2021, at 1:00 PM CST to discuss recovery from Texas Severe Winter Storm (DR-4586-TX), now a federally declared disaster. Texans are still feeling the effects of the deep freeze that swept through the state over the last week, leaving many with no power or running water. […]

Thousands of Texas families lost all the food in their fridges after lengthy power outages and while enduring record low temperatures. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has received federal approval to allow Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (food stamps) recipients to apply for replacement benefits for food lost or destroyed due to the severe winter weather. SNAP […]

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced that federal emergency aid has been made available to the state of Texas to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in areas affected by a severe winter storm beginning on Feb. 11, 2021 and continuing. Important deadline: You have 60 days from the date of the disaster declaration (2/19/21) to apply […]