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Robert, an older veteran with a disability, had been living in a low-income housing community for veterans. His Social Security benefits were his sole income, and he relied on Medicare and Medicaid for healthcare. Robert continued to navigate limited resources after years of military service. Lone Star Legal Aid’s Military Veterans Unit reviewed Robert’s disabilities and military record and assisted […]

Troy Spence never imagined he’d be sued over a debt he says was never his. At 64 years old, the Houston-area resident lives on Social Security retirement benefits. He was shocked to learn that a company had filed a lawsuit against him in Harris County district court seeking over $10,000 for an alleged breach of contract. According to Troy, the […]

If you or someone you know needs help paying electricity, gas, or propane bills, BakerRipley’s Utility Assistance Program is opening a new application window on Monday, March 9. This vital support is funded through the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs and serves households in Harris, Brazoria, and Galveston Counties. The online portal will accept an additional 4,000 applications […]

Michael Manuel is a hardworking Texan living with a vision impairment who was hired at Amazon in September 2023 through Social Security’s Ticket to Work program. He asked for reasonable accommodations so he could do his job safely; instead, the employer failed to provide them and later terminated him for “absenteeism”—a charge Michael believed was retaliation for requesting accommodations. With […]

If you’re a federal employee affected by the government shutdown—either furloughed or working without pay—you may qualify for unemployment benefits through the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). You Can Apply for Benefits Now If you’ve been furloughed or are working fewer hours because of the shutdown, you can apply for unemployment benefits immediately. Online: Apply for benefits 24/7 at TWC’s website […]

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 – […]

Jack is a 25-year-old man living with anxiety, depression, a sleep disorder, and a learning disability with associated mental limitations. He is also a cancer survivor—diagnosed with leukemia at just four years old, which took years of treatment before he went into remission. Jack has been on disability benefits since 2015 and, with no work experience, depends on these benefits […]

At 66 years old, Ms. Olivares lives a quiet life in a modest apartment, relying solely on her Social Security disability income. She doesn’t own a car and had long put behind her the financial strains of the past—until she was served court papers this January over a student loan debt she thought was resolved nearly a decade ago. Back […]

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. […]

After serving in Iraq helping rebuild schools, medical clinics, and places of worship, Ms. Schexnayder came home to a different kind of battle—this time with her health and the Social Security system. She stopped working in 2022 after being diagnosed with breast cancer. Even before the diagnosis, she had been dealing with serious health problems that made working difficult. The […]

When you’re living on a fixed income, every dollar matters. Ms. T, 57, resides with her husband in their quiet home as empty nesters. With both relying on limited Supplemental Security Income (SSI), any unexpected deductions or changes in benefits can create significant financial strain. After her husband was awarded SSI, Ms. T came to Lone Star Legal Aid with […]

Our client, Autumn, is a minor who never received notice if her Children’s Medicaid was renewed for the new year. Her mother renewed her benefits along with her other young daughters. One daughter received renewal, while Autumn did not receive a response. Texas Health and Human Services (HHSC) told Autumn’s mother that her case would be escalated, but they never […]

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 […]

Alex suffers from a kidney disorder, insulin-dependent diabetes, a learning disability, and severe depression. Alex also cannot walk without a walker or wheelchair. He was diagnosed with diabetes at age six but wasn’t diagnosed with depression until 18. His condition has been worsening over time, causing fluid in his legs and requiring one to three hospital visits year on average. […]

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. has officially declared a major disaster in the State of Texas due to the severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding that began on April 26, 2024, and continue to impact our community. Federal assistance is now available to individuals in Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity, and Walker counties. This aid can help […]

In 2020, Congress passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), part of which continued Medicaid benefits for those already enrolled, regardless of any changes in eligibility. That continuous Medicaid coverage ended on March 31, 2023, and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) began disenrolling recipients in May.    HHSC began sending recertification letters to all Medicaid recipients […]

Meet Dennis, a devoted husband and father, whose life took an unexpected turn when he applied for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and was shockingly denied. Despite battling high blood pressure, gout, arthritis in multiple areas of his body, and lingering depression, Dennis was told he was “not disabled.” Faced with the daunting reality of being unable to work due […]

Mr. Yuriy Chertkov and his wife are Russian-speaking Holocaust survivors who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. In December, 2021, the couple received a reparations payment from Germany, which increased their bank account balance, putting them over the SSI resource limit. As a result, the Social Security Administration (SSA) determined they were not eligible for SSI for the month after […]

David Jenkins was discharged honorably from the US Army in 1973, and even received the National Defense Service Medal for his time on duty. Many veterans face difficulties adjusting to civilian life after time in the military, which can lead to mental health challenges like depression and anxiety. In almost a third of cases, this can also lead to involvement […]

In April 2020, all Texas SNAP households, eligible for any amount of SNAP, began receiving the maximum SNAP allotment for their household size, regardless of income or deductions. They have all received 2 SNAP deposits per month on their Lone Star card – their regular SNAP allotment and their extra COVID SNAP benefits. February 2023 is the last month that […]