Clarissa Ayala

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 […]

Lone Star Legal Aid is proud to share an update on our Legal Services Corporation Technology Initiative Grant (TIG) project, which supports the development of three AI-powered chatbots designed to strengthen access to justice and improve how legal aid information is delivered and managed. Through this grant, our team is building: Navi, a public-facing chatbot designed to help individuals understand […]

Too many Texans face serious legal problems without a lawyer by their side. Disability Rights Texas is partnering with Lone Star Legal Aid, Legal Aid of Northwest Texas, Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, and Texas Legal Services Center to invite community-based organizations across the state to join the Community Justice Workers of Texas (CJW) Program — a statewide initiative designed to […]

Houston City Council has approved $33 million to help Houston residents repair or rebuild homes damaged during the 2021 Winter Storm Uri. Through the Single Family Home Repair Program, eligible homeowners may receive: • Up to $10,000 for reimbursement of out-of-pocket storm repairs• Up to $100,000 for home rehabilitation• Up to $300,000 for full home reconstruction These funds will support critical repairs so families can safely remain […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Reginald Smith, a proud veteran, and his wife, Fawn, have been raising their daughter’s two children, Broderick and Jayla, for many years. They never thought twice about providing the love and stability their grandchildren needed. But when Broderick and Jayla reached college age, Reginald hit an unexpected barrier: the VA would not allow him to extend his earned education benefits […]

HOUSTON, TX — October 17, 2025 — Lone Star Legal Aid (LSLA) will mark the American Bar Association’s National Celebration of Pro Bono with a slate of free trainings for attorneys, a client-facing outreach event, and opportunities to get involved across our Texas and Arkansas service area. Pro Bono Week recognizes volunteer lawyers and legal professionals whose service expands access […]

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 […]

Lone Star Legal Aid’s Technology Innovation Grant (TIG)-funded AI ChatBot Project continues to evolve as we prepare for internal rollout. Over the past several months, we’ve made significant progress in functionality, expert engagement, and national visibility. Expert-Led Content Development We’ve moved into the subject matter expert (SME) phase for NAVI, our client-facing chatbot, with SME input also benefiting our internal […]

Ms. Walker turned to Lone Star Legal Aid after receiving a devastating notice from the Social Security Administration (SSA). The agency had stopped her disability benefits and claimed she owed more than $27,000 in overpaid benefits—an amount that later increased to over $33,000. SSA alleged the overpayment was due to wages earned from September 2016 to September 2018, even though […]

Mr. Palmer, a disabled man living on a fixed income, has rented a space in the same RV park for over four years without issue. But everything changed when new management took over the property. Without warning, Mr. Palmer received an eviction notice—his first ever—accusing him of violating park rules. The experience left him overwhelmed and afraid. Facing the possibility […]

Lone Star Legal Aid stands in solidarity with Texans in the aftermath of the Kerr County flash floods, and are ready to help. On July 4, 2025, a catastrophic flash flood struck the Texas Hill Country—especially along the Guadalupe River—resulting in more than 119 confirmed deaths and many more missing. The loss of life has been the most heartbreaking outcome […]

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 […]