News and stories about our work advancing civil legal rights for low-income Texans.
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Houston, TX — Lone Star Legal Aid (LSLA) has closed its Conroe, Galveston, and Richmond offices as part of a strategic consolidation in response to several one-time grants coming to an end and reductions in federal funding for 2026. Despite these office closures, LSLA remains fully committed to serving residents in the affected counties. Clients will continue to receive free […]
Dennis, a hardworking landscaper, built his life around providing for his wife and young daughter. But when his health began to decline—high blood pressure, gout, arthritis, chronic pain, and depression—he could no longer keep working. When he applied for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), he was denied and told he was “not disabled.” Unsure where to turn, Dennis reached out […]
When Liza’s daughter and four grandchildren came to live with her in 2024, it was out of deep concern for their safety. Her daughter had left an abusive relationship and was diagnosed with a brain tumor on the left side of her head. According to her doctors, the injury may have been caused by being hit in the head by […]
Maira and her husband, Charlesh, married in Pakistan in 2013 and later built a life in the United States with their two children. At first, things looked promising—they obtained work, secured green cards, and planned for U.S. citizenship. But once in Texas, Charlesh’s behavior turned controlling and abusive. He isolated Maira, cut her off from financial independence, and forced her […]
Michael received a frightening letter from the IRS. It said he owed more than $14,000. “Notice of Intent to Levy and your Collection Due Process Right to a Hearing,” the letter said in large type, next to a caution symbol with an exclamation point. Since Michael and his wife barely make $14,000 a year, the tax bill put them into […]
Paul, a minor diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer, has relied on Medicaid for years to receive specialized treatment for his eye condition. For five years, UnitedHealthcare, his Managed Care Organization (MCO), covered visits with a neuro-ophthalmologist who understood his complex needs. But without warning, UnitedHealthcare suddenly denied coverage for Paul’s annual visit, claiming his doctor was out-of-network. […]
Mark, a minor living with multiple disabilities and serious health challenges, suddenly lost access to his Medicaid benefits—even after his mother, Laura, submitted all required renewal paperwork. Laura only discovered the denial when she tried to take Mark to the doctor, only to be told his coverage had been cut off. Without Medicaid, Mark’s urgent medical needs went unmet, leaving […]
Stronger Connections. Stronger Futures. Every January, the United States observes National Slavery and Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month, a designated time to educate the public about modern-day slavery and human trafficking and to reaffirm our collective commitment to protect survivors and prevent exploitation. What Is Human Trafficking? Human trafficking is a form of modern slavery in which individuals are […]
Morgan, a 20-year-old living with ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Asperger’s Syndrome, depression, and seizures, had relied on Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) since the age of four. For sixteen years, these benefits provided critical support for him and his family. That stability was abruptly threatened when the Social Security Administration (SSA) sent Morgan a letter stating his benefits would be […]
When Claire met Drew at church in Illinois, she thought she had found her perfect match. What began as kindness and generosity soon revealed itself as “love bombing”—a tactic abusers use to lure their partners into toxic, controlling relationships. Within months of their marriage, Drew’s verbal abuse escalated into physical violence, leaving Claire isolated and afraid. Even pregnancy did not […]
Alex has lived with significant medical challenges for most of his life. He suffers from a kidney disorder, insulin-dependent diabetes, a learning disability, and severe depression. He cannot walk without a walker or wheelchair, and requires frequent hospital visits each year. Diagnosed with diabetes at age six, Alex’s health continued to decline into adulthood, and he was later diagnosed with […]
After the 2021 winter freeze, 80-year-old Carolyn Addison Rivera’s life was upended. Like countless Texans, her home suffered damage from frozen pipes. When she turned to a plumber for help, the work performed was substandard and came with an inflated bill. When Carolyn rightfully disputed the charges, the plumber retaliated by slapping a mechanic’s lien on her home. Suddenly, she […]
Free multicultural holiday concert set for December 13; donations support access to justice Houston, TX — Lone Star Legal Aid is honored to be the beneficiary of the 8th annual Holiday Voyage presented by Apollo Chamber Players. This Houston tradition celebrates the season through a blend of global, multicultural music. The free concert takes place Saturday, December 13, 2025, at […]
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 […]
For five years, Sophia worked tirelessly to care for her four children, two of whom are autistic, while enduring an increasingly abusive marriage to her husband, Ricky. What began as emotional abuse grew into physical violence, neglect, and threats. “He would say things like, ‘It’s my way or the highway. I will punish you,’” Sophia recalled. “My daughter was only […]
At Lone Star Legal Aid, we believe that safety, stability, and justice should never depend on someone’s income. Every day, our attorneys and advocates stand beside Texans facing eviction, domestic violence, denied benefits, unsafe housing, consumer fraud, and other life-altering legal crises. Last year alone, we closed more than 25,000 cases for veterans, survivors, seniors, families, and vulnerable communities across […]
Lone Star Legal Aid will be closed on Thursday, November 27, 2025, and Friday, November 28, 2025. All offices will reopen on Monday, December 1, 2025. Texans can still apply for free legal help online at www.lonestarlegal.org.
For more than 14 years, Carl has called his apartment home. Living with a disability and using a wheelchair, Carl relies on federally subsidized housing to maintain stability and independence. He has consistently paid his rent on time and has long requested accommodations to make his unit more accessible. Despite his efforts, his requests for basic modifications—such as protective strips […]
For years, Mallory endured abuse during her marriage to Nelson, whom she wed in 2007. Behind closed doors, Nelson’s harmful behavior escalated into illegal activity that devastated their family. The trauma became unbearable when Mallory discovered that Nelson had sexually abused their 11-year-old grandchild, whose health deteriorated under the weight of the abuse and stress, even triggering seizures. Determined to […]
HOUSTON, Texas — Lone Star Legal Aid (LSLA) is proud to participate in Texas Veterans Legal Aid Week (TVLAW), a statewide initiative held November 10–16 in honor of Veterans Day. The effort—coordinated by the Texas Access to Justice Foundation—brings together legal aid organizations, local bar associations, law schools, and pro bono attorneys to provide free civil legal services to qualified […]