News and stories about our work to protect and advance the civil legal rights of low-income Texans.
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Residential homes may have structural issues related to freezing water and many will have leaks which will become even more apparent as the ice thaws due to the winter storm that wreaked havoc in Texas over the last week. If you have homeowners insurance, you may have coverage for this. Find and read your insurance policy as soon as possible, […]
As Texans continue to face the effects of a record-breaking winter storm, they’re faced with new issues, like broken pipes or plumbing problems that have caused flooding and other damage in their homes. Texas renters have a right to ask their landlord for repairs. Identify where you need to submit your request for repairs. Your lease should tell you who […]
Price gouging is illegal, and the Texas Office of the Attorney General and Harris County Attorney haves authority to prosecute any business that engages in price gouging after a disaster has been declared by the governor or president. Texas is currently under a state disaster declaration and federal emergency declaration as its residents endure a record-breaking winter storm, many without […]
In January 2020, Marta Garcia and her family moved into an apartment complex in Livingston, Texas. Shortly upon their arrival, the family discovered that the stove wasn’t working and there was an infestation of centipedes and scorpions in the apartment. Concerned for the health and safety of her family, Mrs. Garcia made requests for repairs and extermination to the apartment […]
HOUSTON (Jan. 20, 2021) — Residents of Northeast Houston are calling on the company responsible for decades of creosote contamination in their community to move them out of harm’s way after the state of Texas found high numbers of childhood cancers. The Department of State Health Services’ findings come 13 months after it identified 10 census tracts in Houston’s 5th […]
Houston, TX – Lone Star Legal Aid is excited to announce the launch of the new Texas Crime Victim Legal Assistance Network website (“Network”). The fresh face website features new functions for both partners and survivors, and a more user-friendly interface for the dashboard. In addition to the upgrades being made to the existing features, there is also a new […]
Lone Star Legal Aid’s virtual outreach program, which was initially started as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, has gained significant traction and flourished into a dynamic and effective tool accessible across multiple platforms for the general public. Included in our virtual outreach schedule is our recurring Law Talk Fridays: every Friday, one of our branches or units collaborates with […]
With the recent passage of an additional, second stimulus check, Americans are wondering when they will get their payments. Lone Star Legal Aid’s Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) prepared answers to the most common stimulus-related questions they are receiving. What is the stimulus? Stimulus payments, also called Recovery Rebate or Economic Impact credits, allow eligible Americans the ability to claim […]
In observance of the new year, all Lone Star Legal Aid offices will be closed Thursday, December 31 and Friday, January 1. All offices will resume normal business hours on Monday, January 4 for online and telephone intakes. We wish you a happy new year and look forward to serving our community in 2021.