News and stories about our work advancing civil legal rights for low-income Texans.
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Mr. Smith suffered from mental and visual impairments for most of his adult life when he was shot in the head, face, and arm. The bullets were so fragmented that they are currently still resting in his head and face. These impairments qualified him for Social Security Disability Income (SSDI). He told Lone Star Legal Aid that his lack of […]
Houston, Texas — Lone Star Legal Aid, a legal aid organization, is proud to announce its historic symposium, “The Origins of Lone Star Legal Aid,” celebrating 75 years of dedicated service in meeting human and legal needs. The symposium will take place on Friday, November 3, 2023, at Thurgood Marshall School of Law from 10 AM to 4 PM. This […]
In 2013, Maira and Charlesh wed in Pakistan, aspiring to a brighter future in the United States. Charlesh migrated in 2015, followed by Maira and their child in 2017. They secured employment, obtained green cards, and aimed for U.S. citizenship. After arriving, Charlesh’s demeanor changed, leading to abuse and then a divorce and custody dispute. Charlesh deliberately isolated Maira and […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Harris County, TX – August 14, 2023 – Lone Star Legal Aid (“LSLA”), a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free legal services to underserved communities, has achieved a significant victory for tenants by securing the dismissal of over 100 eviction cases at Cabo San Lucas and Redford Apartments in Harris County. In a remarkable demonstration of their […]
In the pursuit of a fresh start, individuals with felony and misdemeanor arrests on their records often rely on the expungement process to clear their past and pave the way for a brighter future. Unfortunately, even after the legal process is complete, records may not appear to be expunged. Such was the case for Brenda, a client who faced obstacles […]
Christina and Gabriel were best friends, husband and wife, and parents to three girls. Gabriel was described as goofy and a good listener – but he had a secret that would destroy their blended family unit. Christina’s middle daughter found Gabriel’s phone recording her taking a shower. She was just 13 at the time. It was clear that he intended […]
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 […]
15-year-old Sarah’s dentist told her she needed braces. Although she had a health plan that was part of a Managed Care Organization (MCO), her orthodontic claims were denied over and over. They claimed braces are not “medically necessary.” Sarah’s mother Kathy reached out to Lone Star Legal Aid (LSLA) for assistance with an appeal. Elizabeth Green, in our Public Benefits […]
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 […]
The Champions of Justice Gala Benefiting Veterans, held on April 25 at the Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin, raised $485,000 to provide civil legal services to low-income Texas veterans. The Texas Access to Justice Commission and the State Bar of Texas co-sponsored the event, and the funds raised will be distributed by the Texas Access to Justice Foundation […]
Janine, a member of the Sioux Oglala Tribe of South Dakota, was thrilled when she welcomed her baby girl, Lily, into the world. Though neither knew it yet, the first year of Lily’s life would be remembered by her mother for the worst tribulations a parent could endure. Janine quickly fell in love with Lily’s father, Tom. He charmed Janine […]
Bailey met her boyfriend Danny through her friendship with his sister. They dated on and off for several years, often separating due to Danny’s emotional and physical abuse towards Bailey. When Danny was arrested for robbery, Bailey decided that was the final straw, and broke up with him. She had been working hard towards her career as a licensed security […]
Mr. Jan was a doctor in his native country, but like many medical professionals who have immigrated to the U.S., he is unable to practice medicine in America due to licensing requirements, despite the fact that he is now a U.S. Citizen. As a result, he works in a hospital as a technician and shares a humble apartment with his […]
Mariah married her military husband Sean and raised two children together, and one from Sean’s previous relationship beginning when the child was two years-old. This child is now a teenager, and recently, he came out as transgender and said he wanted to go by Calvin. Mariah was working hard to provide Calvin with all the support he needed while transitioning. […]
At 12 years old, Mara was diagnosed with a rare disease, Takayasu Arteritis, which left her unable to walk. She was told she would be disabled for the rest of her life. At 20 years-old, the Social Security Administration (SSA) determined her diagnosed conditions were not severe enough to warrant a finding of disability, and Mara was denied Social Security […]
Jim Bradson is a Navy veteran who relies solely on his Social Security Retirement (SSR) income. During the pandemic, he became indebted to four companies, including the e-commerce company, PayPal. Bradson was already in settlement repayment with the other three companies when he received notice that PayPal sold his debt to a collections company, which then filed a lawsuit. Bradson […]
Along with the joys of parenthood comes, historically, the balancing act between work and home life responsibilities, whether it’s a household of two parents or one. When the scales are balanced, you should hope all goes smoothly. But when resources are limited, a family emergency can tip the scales. The choice between essentials like food, utilities, healthcare, safety, and shelter […]
Jane Smith met her boyfriend Jack in Texas in 2017 through his family, who committed various crimes against her, including assault and stalking. Jack promised he would protect her from his family, so they began dating, marking the beginning of a tumultuous relationship that spanned over four years. No different from the rest of his family, Jack showed himself to […]
During exactly four years of marriage, Tiffany endured tragic physical, financial, and emotional abuse. It started on their honeymoon cruise when her husband Aaron smashed her head into the sink of their cabin. She encountered another night where Eric beat her up so badly, dragged her by her hair out in the yard, and left her on the street throughout […]