Clarissa Ayala

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 […]

Since receiving TIG funding in December 2024, Lone Star Legal Aid (LSLA) has been working to develop and deploy three distinct chatbot tools designed to enhance legal access and organizational efficiency: Juris, LSLAsks, and Navi. As of the halfway point in our first project year, each system is actively in development—with several components already undergoing internal testing. Juris – The […]

HOUSTON, TX – Lone Star Legal Aid proudly announces that Litigation Director Amy Dinn has been honored with the Environmental Champion of 2024 Award by Better Brazoria, a long-time community partner based in Freeport, Texas. The surprise award presentation took place on Wednesday, April 30, at LSLA’s Houston office, where Melanie Oldham from Better Brazoria joined LSLA to recognize Amy’s […]

Houston, TX — Lone Star Legal Aid proudly announces that Fallon Hamilton Vaughn, a staff attorney on the Civil Matters in Criminal Justice Team, has been elected Director of the Houston Lawyers Association (HLA). At the HLA’s 70th Annual Scholarship & Awards Gala held on May 3, 2025, Vaughn was also honored with the prestigious Presidential Pillar Award, recognizing her […]

When 65-year-old Royce Galbreath reached out to Lone Star Legal Aid, she had already received a denial from FEMA. A widow living with limited mobility, Royce relied on her cane and walker to move around her home, made accessible by a ramp and lift system. But after Hurricane Beryl tore through her neighborhood, her home was no longer the safe […]

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 […]